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But the authors point does neither miss the fundamental point about modern consumer capitalism, or refute it, in my option. Being Industrially literate as the
by NalNezumi 6y ago
But the authors point does neither miss the fundamental point about modern consumer capitalism, or refute it, in my option.
Being Industrially literate as the author claim one should be seems to be about acknowledging the good part of industrialization, hence he focuses on the achievements we have gained through industrialization that we hold very dear (health, safety, etc).
This is not the same as justifying the fashion industry practices you point out. On contrary, with the knowledge of good industrial effect (and it's side effects) maybe we can make a better judgement on the solution to it. We can see that certain industrial practice(such as fashion) should not be seen with the same respect as the one mentioned, instead of just black & white paint all of industrialization. Hence the mention of Chesterton's Fence at the end.
- keiferski 6y agoThe article is written from a very Whig-oriented, "Progress" point of view. The facts listed are all presented as unquestionably good. > When you know these facts of history—which many schools do not teach—you understand what “industrial civilization” is and why it is the benefactor of everyone who is lucky enough to live in it. It's basically an over-simplified account of history, in which scientific progress and consumer capitalism are inextricable. That is the point I'm making.
- NalNezumi 6y agoNot American, so had to look up what Whig-oriented was, but fair point! I saw the scientific progress between the lines(fertilizer, pesticide, all the technological advancement the bullet-point example describes) but you have a very valid point that it should have been mentioned. (I can't comment too much on consumer capitalism though, as I don't know much there)