Quote by Lewis Mumford
By his very success in inventing labor-saving devices, modern man has manufactured an abyss of boredom that only the privileged classes in earlier civilizations have ever fathomed.
Summary
This quote suggests that the advancements in technology and the creation of labor-saving devices have inadvertently led to a sense of profound boredom in modern society. The convenience and efficiency these inventions provide have seemingly eliminated the need for constant engagement and involvement in tasks, resulting in a void of purpose and fulfillment. This sense of boredom is compared to what only the privileged classes in previous civilizations, who had abundant resources and leisure time, could comprehend. It implies that despite technological progress, the human desire for purposeful activity and meaning remains a challenge to fulfill.