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If, as many anthropologists still hold, the making and using of tools as one of the chief sources of primitive man's intellectual development, is it not time that we asked ourselves what will happen to man if he departs as completely as he now threatens to do from his primal polytechnic occupations? Since they can no longer be pursued at a profit, perhaps they will have to be restored as modes of sport and recreation, even more as helpful - increasingly essential - forms of personal service and mutual aid.

Lewis Mumford#29

SocietyIntellectSkillsTools

About this quote

What does it mean?
If tool-making was key to human intellect, we should consider the impact of losing these primal skills to profit-driven modernity.
In plain terms
Losing hands-on skills might hurt our intellect, so we should keep them as hobbies or service.
What can you take from it?
Preserve manual skills even if they are no longer profitable.

Where it applies

  • education reform
  • community building
  • mental health

Putting it to work

  • learn manual crafts
  • prioritize hands-on work
  • valute skill over profit

Questions to consider

  • What skills are we losing?
  • How do tools shape our minds?

Another view

Modern specialization offers efficiency that primal skills do not.

More from Lewis Mumford

  1. Unfortunately, once an economy is geared to expansion, the means rapidly turn into an end and 'the going becomes the goal.' Even more unfortunately, the indust…

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. In the elemental emotions of fear and rage associated with the most primitive parts of the brain, this swift response without conscious intervention or directi…

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. Failing to divide its social chromosomes and split up into new cells, each bearing some portion of the original inheritance, the city continues to grow inorgan…

    Permalink to quote #27

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