When does the mechanic become the machine?

Emerson's argument that the mechanic is becoming the machine is still was true, is true, and might always be true.



If u think of a Ford assembly line, one person knows how install the glass or the seats and that’s all. Well not exactly, most of them know how to do the few basic things to build the Ford but what I’m saying is that the windshield installer could represent a lawyer, the man who puts in the seats could be a semi driver, and the person who inspects it could be a construction worker. Anyways, the lawyer only knows law and not how to drive a semi or mix cement, the semi driver only knows how to drive and get around to their destination, and the construction worker knows how to build or repair buildings.


Everyone in America has become the lawyer, driver, or construction worker. Even thought there are many more jobs than the 3 I listed, they all know how to do one thing and one thing only. Now “the mechanic has become the machine, the sailor has become the rope of the ship”. All men together make the whole man, the whole man represents everyone and every skill. Emerson says “Man is priest, and scholar, and salesman, and producer, and soldier.