My wife and I, unlike many intellectuals, spent five years working on assembly lines. We came to fully understand the criticisms of the industrial age, in which you are an appendage of a machine that sets the pace.

Aung San Suu Kyi

 

The Quote in Other Words

My spouse and I, in contrast to numerous intellectuals, labored on assembly lines for a period of five years. This experience enabled us to comprehend the objections to the industrial era, where you are merely a component of a machine that dictates the speed.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the experience of working on assembly lines and how it can lead to a deeper understanding of the criticisms of the industrial age. The speaker suggests that many intellectuals may not have this understanding because they have not experienced the monotony and lack of control that comes with being an appendage of a machine.

The quote also implies that this experience can lead to a greater appreciation for the value of human labor and the need for more humane working conditions. It suggests that those who have not worked on assembly lines may not fully understand the negative impact of the industrial age on workers and society as a whole.

Overall, this quote emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience in understanding complex issues and the need for empathy and compassion in addressing the challenges of the modern world. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and action to improve working conditions and promote human dignity in the workplace.