Bankers, priests, lawyers,... politicians, [and news media] constitute one class [of our rulers] and work together. They do not produce any values but manipulate the values produced by others, and often pass signs for no value at all. Scientists and teachers also comprise a ruling class. They produce the main values mankind has, but, at present, they do not realize this. They are, in the main, ruled by the cunning methods of the first class.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A class of non-producing leaders manipulates values created by scientists and teachers.
- In plain terms
- Politicians and bankers control society without making real value.
- What can you take from it?
- Value creators are often overshadowed by those who manipulate values.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who actually creates value in society?
- How is power distributed?
Another view
Some management roles do add value through coordination.
More from Alfred Korzybski
If a psychiatric and scientific enquiry were to be made upon our rulers, mankind would be appalled at the disclosures.
Permalink to quote #8 Our rulers: politicians, 'diplomats', bankers, priests of every description, economists, lawyers, etc. and the majority of teachers ... ignorant of modern scie…
Permalink to quote #10 Man's achievements rest upon the use of symbols.... we must consider ourselves as a symbolic, semantic class of life, and those who rule the symbols, rule us.
Permalink to quote #7
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