In a world increasingly dominated by vast bureaucratic systems, sprawling technological networks, and algorithmic decision-making, it is worth revisiting the insights of Lewis Mumford, one of the 20th century’s most prescient critics of modern society.
Thanks for bringing my attention to this interesting fellow. I've just mooched both volumes from the university library and I can imagine incorporating his work into my current project. Many thanks!
Well your post is promising to be the catalyst that makes my week, or at least weekend. I’ve already fallen in love with Mumford. He has a genteel and gently ironic manner of unfolding his ideas, and what gorgeous prose. Why is he not more of a household name?
Great! Why he isn't a household name? Well very few philosophers are, let alone one who talked sense :-) Stay tuned for another essay on Mumford later today!
I linked your piece to Christopher Rufo’s piece out today in the comment section. I think what you wrote is what’s unsettling about President Elect Trump’s alliance with Elon Musk.
Thank you for writing about this. It's stark that it's been written about by many artists and writers. William Blake foresaw the problems with what he termed 'Urizen', CS Lewis in his incredible book 'That Hideous Strength' gives the full arc of the story in great details as to how we lost our way with technology and how we were saved at the last minute (I won't spoil a fantastic read). It's all there for us, we don't need to plot our way forward through trial and error, thinking we are encountering all this for the first time.
Lewis is so on the money on this one. We do have to chart a way forward though. As the quote goes ‘you don’t get any points for analysing the flood, only building the boat!’.
"In Hopi prophecy, the zigzag symbol signifies a path of imbalance, chaos, and disruption. It often represents the choice to prioritize technology and material gain over spiritual harmony with nature. This contrasts with the “straight path," which symbolizes balance and living in accordance with natural laws. The zigzag is frequently depicted as a jagged line on the "Two-Hearts" path, indicating a deviation from the correct course" [thanks to Tiokasin Ghosthorse... see the image in my restack of this post] https://substack.com/@peterderrico/note/c-85174436?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1hp10e
I recently came across Mumford as I was doing research for an article about the modern metropolis. Ended up reading "The City in History" and much more. It is impressive how he was able to be so accurate describing "the myth of the machine". It really is the myth of our age, the one that encompasses all the others. I think we´re reaching a convergence against the techno-optimism and techno-utopianism so characteristic of our age.
Know any drug addicts? Some don't admit it, others know that their hooked, that it's self-destructive, can't imagine a life without it, can't give it. My name is technology.
Why the pyramids? Reading this, my immediate thought of a 'megamachine' was Nazi Germany. The Five Pillars sound very much like a recipe for neo-fascism. Science taking the place of religion in old definitions. As for techology, IBM were instrumental in aiding the Nazi's notorious 'efficiency'.
Thanks for bringing my attention to this interesting fellow. I've just mooched both volumes from the university library and I can imagine incorporating his work into my current project. Many thanks!
Your comment has made my week, it encapsulates the purpose of my substack enjoy your Mumford :-)
Well your post is promising to be the catalyst that makes my week, or at least weekend. I’ve already fallen in love with Mumford. He has a genteel and gently ironic manner of unfolding his ideas, and what gorgeous prose. Why is he not more of a household name?
Great! Why he isn't a household name? Well very few philosophers are, let alone one who talked sense :-) Stay tuned for another essay on Mumford later today!
I linked your piece to Christopher Rufo’s piece out today in the comment section. I think what you wrote is what’s unsettling about President Elect Trump’s alliance with Elon Musk.
https://substack.com/@paulkingsnorth?r=fcfps&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
You’re probably familiar with Paul Kingsnorth. I think you’re on the same team in thought. He covered the Machine as well.
Thank you for writing about this. It's stark that it's been written about by many artists and writers. William Blake foresaw the problems with what he termed 'Urizen', CS Lewis in his incredible book 'That Hideous Strength' gives the full arc of the story in great details as to how we lost our way with technology and how we were saved at the last minute (I won't spoil a fantastic read). It's all there for us, we don't need to plot our way forward through trial and error, thinking we are encountering all this for the first time.
Yes indeed Vincent, a Lewis article or two (already written) will be coming soon based on that hideous strength.
Lewis is so on the money on this one. We do have to chart a way forward though. As the quote goes ‘you don’t get any points for analysing the flood, only building the boat!’.
Indeed!
Great post. Mumford was a brilliant thinker and writer. His insights could hardly be more relevant today.
"In Hopi prophecy, the zigzag symbol signifies a path of imbalance, chaos, and disruption. It often represents the choice to prioritize technology and material gain over spiritual harmony with nature. This contrasts with the “straight path," which symbolizes balance and living in accordance with natural laws. The zigzag is frequently depicted as a jagged line on the "Two-Hearts" path, indicating a deviation from the correct course" [thanks to Tiokasin Ghosthorse... see the image in my restack of this post] https://substack.com/@peterderrico/note/c-85174436?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1hp10e
Mega Top Tip: 33 Myths of the System, by creative genius Darren Allen (Expressiveegg.substack.com)
I recently came across Mumford as I was doing research for an article about the modern metropolis. Ended up reading "The City in History" and much more. It is impressive how he was able to be so accurate describing "the myth of the machine". It really is the myth of our age, the one that encompasses all the others. I think we´re reaching a convergence against the techno-optimism and techno-utopianism so characteristic of our age.
Know any drug addicts? Some don't admit it, others know that their hooked, that it's self-destructive, can't imagine a life without it, can't give it. My name is technology.
Why the pyramids? Reading this, my immediate thought of a 'megamachine' was Nazi Germany. The Five Pillars sound very much like a recipe for neo-fascism. Science taking the place of religion in old definitions. As for techology, IBM were instrumental in aiding the Nazi's notorious 'efficiency'.
https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/144861
A warning from the past about applying 'religion' and technology, without humanity.
Blessings,
Janey
Fantastic post.