The junk merchant doesn't sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise. He degrades and simplifies the client. (p. 224)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Product sellers manipulate consumers by degrading their ability to choose independently.
- In plain terms
- Sellers make customers dependent on their products.
- What can you take from it?
- Consumer products often create dependency rather than improve life.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you dependent on products?
- How do companies influence you?
Another view
The claim is broad and assumes all commerce is exploitative.
More from William S. Burroughs
Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use of any other drug with special horror. (p. 201)
Permalink to quote #7 Cut word lines - Cut music lines - Smash the control images - Smash the control machine - Burn the books - Kill the priests - Kill! Kill! Kill!
Permalink to quote #9 I awoke from The Sickness at the age of forty-five, calm and sane, and in reasonably good health except for a weakened liver and the look of borrowed flesh com…
Permalink to quote #6
Related quotes
I am tired of hotels promising to go the extra mile only to have them refuse to go round the corner!
Richard QuestRichard Quest quote #1 1. Never give anything away for nothing. 2. Never give more than you have to (always catch the buyer hungry and always make him wait). 3. Always take back ever…
William S. BurroughsWilliam S. Burroughs quote #1 The art of advertisement, after the American manner, has introduced into all our life such a lavish use of superlatives, that no standard of value whatever is …
Wyndham LewisWyndham Lewis quote #2