Quote by W. H. Auden
It is already possible to imagine a society in which the majority of the population, that is to say, its laborers, will have almost as much leisure as in earlier times was enjoyed by the aristocracy. When one recalls how aristocracies in the past actually behaved, the prospect is not cheerful.
Summary
This quote suggests that with advancements in technology and automation, a future society may have a surplus of leisure time similar to that enjoyed by the aristocracy in earlier times. However, the quote also hints at the negative implications of this scenario. It implies that if the majority of the population has excessive leisure time without meaningful work or purpose, it could lead to negative consequences such as idleness or behaviors resembling those of historically privileged groups.
By W. H. Auden