Computers are wasteful of paper and time. Once, we'd get documents with a few errors. Now, people make hundreds of copies until each sheet is flawless and memos are duplicated endlessly. Managers get swamped with emails.

The quote "Computers are wasteful of paper and time. Once, we'd get documents with a few errors. Now, people make hundreds of copies until each sheet is flawless and memos are duplicated endlessly. Managers get swamped with emails." by Felix Dennis reflects a critique of how technology—particularly computers—has impacted workplace efficiency. Dennis highlights that, while computers have streamlined the process of creating and distributing documents, they have also led to increased redundancy and overproduction. Instead of reducing waste, the ease of duplication has resulted in endless revisions, unnecessary copies, and overwhelming amounts of communication.

Dennis is pointing out the paradox where digital tools, which were intended to save time and resources, have led to the opposite effect. Error correction has become more excessive, with multiple versions of documents being created to perfect minor details, rather than accepting a few manageable mistakes. Furthermore, the email culture has contributed to an overload of communication, where managers receive an overwhelming number of messages, many of which are likely repetitive or unnecessary. This increase in digital communication can ironically lead to inefficiency rather than productivity.

The origin of this quote comes from Dennis’s experience in the publishing and business world. As a successful entrepreneur and publisher, he witnessed firsthand the changes brought by digital technology in the workplace. The quote reflects his frustration with the bureaucratic inefficiencies that arise when technology enables over-communication and overproduction, rather than simplifying or improving the workflow. Dennis is critiquing how the overuse of digital tools often leads to diminishing returns in productivity and a waste of time and resources.

Ultimately, Dennis's quote serves as a reminder that technological advancements are not always a cure-all. While computers and digital systems have transformed how we work, they have also introduced new challenges, such as redundancy and information overload. The quote invites reflection on how to use technology in a way that truly enhances efficiency, rather than creating more clutter in the workplace.