Quote by: Umberto Eco

[...] there is one inexorable law of technology, and it is this: when revolutionary inventions become widely accessible, they cease to be accessible. Technology is inherently democratic, because it promises the same services to all; but it works only if the rich are alone using it. When the poor also adopt technology, it stops working. A train used to take two hours to go from A to B; then the motor car arrived, which could cover the same distance in one hour. For this reason cars were very expensive. But as soon as the masses could afford to buy them, the roads became jammed, and the trains started to move faster. Consider how absurd it is for the authorities constantly to urge people to use public transport, in the age of the automobile; but with public transport, by consenting not to belong to the elite, you get where you're going before members of the elite do.


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Author Bio


  • NameUmberto Eco
  • DescriptionItalian semiotician, essayist, philosopher, literary critic, and novelist
  • AliasesUmberto Ecco; Umberto Eccounstino
  • BornJanuary 5, 1932
  • CountryItaly
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Writer; Novelist; Essayist; Educationist
  • AwardsOfficer Of The Legion Of Honour; Commandeur Des Arts Et Des Lettres?; Order Of Merit For Arts And Science; Austrian State Prize For European Literature; Grand Cross Of The Order Of Merit Of The Federal Republic Of Germany With Star; Princess Of Asturias Award - Communications And Humanities