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Machinery in the workplace Books
Best books
J. A. (John Atkinson) Hobson
The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production
"The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production" by J. A. Hobson is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book examines the structural changes brought on by machine production and capitalism, focusing particularly on the organic evolution of industrial forces as they developed in the context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hobson intends to provide an analysis of how machinery has shaped industrial organization and its broader implications for society, economy, and labor. The opening of the work lays the groundwork by discussing the intersection of industrial science and history, emphasizing the need to study phenomena within economic frameworks while recognizing the complexities and difficulties of precise measurement in the socio-economic realm. Hobson highlights machinery as a central factor in evolving capitalism, laying out the focus of study on the effects of machine production on industry structure, competition, employment, and the role of women and towns in this transformation. The text outlines the methodology of the study, placing machine production at the forefront of inquiry and seeking to understand its implications for labor and societal changes, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of capitalism's evolution through the lens of industrial mechanics.
Garet Garrett
Ouroboros; or, the mechanical extension of mankind
"Ouroboros; or, the mechanical extension of mankind" by Garet Garrett is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work explores the evolution of humanity in relation to machines and mechanical inventions and examines how these advancements have transformed society, economics, and the nature of toil. The thematic insight focuses on humanity's unending quest to escape labor through mechanization, only to find themselves entrenched in an even more profound cycle of production and consumption. At the start of the treatise, the author presents a narrative of humanity's historical struggle to escape the burdens of work, tracing this journey from the agricultural society to the age of machines. He discusses how the advent of technology and efficient machinery aimed to liberate individuals from manual labor but ultimately resulted in an overwhelming obligation to maintain and feed the very systems designed to serve them. As Garrett delves into the paradox of surplus production and the implications of mechanization, he raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of economic necessity and human fulfillment in the industrial landscape.
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