If then this tendency toward collectivization is a mutation there is no reason to suppose it is for the better. It is a rule in paleontology that ornamentation and complication precede extinction. And our mutation, of which the assembly line, the collective farm, the mechanized army, and the mass production of food are evidences or even symptoms, might well correspond to the thickening armor of the great reptiles-a tendency that can end only in extinction.
In the quoted passage, Steinbeck reflects on the dangers of collectivization, suggesting it might be a detrimental mutation rather than a positive development for society. He draws a parallel between this trend and the patterns observed in paleontology, where complexity and ornamentation often precede extinction. This analogy implies that societies may become over-engineered or overly complicated, leading to their eventual downfall.
Steinbeck points out that elements of collectivization, such as assembly lines and mechanized systems, could signify a troubling evolution in human organization and production. He warns that these advancements might mirror the excessive protective features seen in ancient reptiles, hinting at a potential fate of societal extinction rather than progress. This perspective invites a critical examination of modern industrial practices and their implications for the future.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
