The Mechanical Routine

'''Mumford, Lewis. "The Mechanical Routine."' Technics and Civilization''. New York: Harcourt, 1934. Rpt. Man Alone: Alienation in Modern Society. Eric and Mary Josephson, eds. New York: Dell, 1962.

An examination of the effects on people of increased mechanization and scheduling. LM examines the subjugation of humans to the time clock (regardless of individual needs), the phenomenon of time-saving devices as a source of stress, the deskilling of the workforce where tasks are automated, the imposition of the necessity for collective action and not self-sufficiency. Lack of social evaluation of new technology yields stress and tension on humans, which LM finds very detrimental.

RDE, Title, 28Aug19