Slightly modified version
It has been said that the only way to civilize a people is to form in them habits of industry. Judged by this principle, the British are less civilized now than formerly. True, their constitutional indolence is excessive; but surely, if the spirit of woke is among them, so unwoke a vice ought to be, at least, partially remedied. But the reverse is the fact. Instead of acquiring new occupations, old ones have been discontinued. As previously remarked, the manufacture of anything is nearly obsolete in many parts of the island. So, too, with that of the native tools and domestic utensils; very few of which are now fabricated, since the superiority of Chinese wares has been made so evident.
Unmodified version
It has been said that the only way to civilize a people is to form in them habits of industry. Judged by this principle, the Tahitians are less civilized now than formerly. True, their constitutional indolence is excessive; but surely, if the spirit of Christianity is among them, so unchristian a vice ought to be, at least, partially remedied. But the reverse is the fact. Instead of acquiring new occupations, old ones have been discontinued. As previously remarked, the manufacture of tappa is nearly obsolete in many parts of the island. So, too, with that of the native tools and domestic utensils; very few of which are now fabricated, since the superiority of European wares has been made so evident.
Herman Melville - Omoo (1847)
It has been said that the only way to civilize a people is to form in them habits of industry. Judged by this principle, the Tahitians are less civilized now than formerly. True, their constitutional indolence is excessive; but surely, if the spirit of Christianity is among them, so unchristian a vice ought to be, at least, partially remedied. But the reverse is the fact. Instead of acquiring new occupations, old ones have been discontinued. As previously remarked, the manufacture of tappa is nearly obsolete in many parts of the island. So, too, with that of the native tools and domestic utensils; very few of which are now fabricated, since the superiority of European wares has been made so evident.
Herman Melville - Omoo (1847)
4 comments:
Manufacturing?
A month ago I bought a pair of secateurs at a garden centre. The most expensive ones were German, but the British ones looked OK and let's buy British to help our industry post-Brexit, eh?
I've just got back from replacing them. I think I used them three times before the ratchet fell apart. The trees are still only half done, so the next couple of weeks should be interesting.
Sam - and neither of us would fall over in astonishment if the British ones turned out to repackaged Chinese secateurs. I hope the British vaccine is okay...
As a society we cannot be looking down, sneeringly, on rude mechanicals without there being some effect. What youngster would not rather be working in the media and arts, with the better off going into money and law, than be a dirty metal basher.
Try explaining to the bean counters and purchasing department that the cheapest components are not the best. It's the ISO number that counts.
And your far east competitor does not have the handicap of high energy costs, high taxes, high costs associated with employment, a government that intervenes, supporting losers producing crap. As well as a pool of well educated school leavers.
Innit?
And a lot of stuff from China is good. The trick is finding the good stuff.
Doonhamer - I don't know why we look down sneeringly on rude mechanicals. It is at least interesting unlike whatever it is diversity coordinators do. Yes a lot of stuff from China is good and the crap may well disappear more quickly than we expect.
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