"Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy." - Isaac Newton

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From a promo in the print edition for an interview in the online edition:

"A Martian turning up on Earth for the first time might be surprised by the central roles that works plays in most people's loves, according to Alain de Botton. A glance at the reams of new fiction published every year would give the impression that humans fall in love, occasionally murder people and squabble with their families but do not spend time in the factory or office. He puts this down to the 'romantic rejection of labour': work is regarded as an economic drama not a human one. Real life is equated to private life, upon which work is an intrusion". He also reckons there is a prejudice against urban life and the city - real life is assumed to take place only in the countryside where nature and the individual are sharply defined.

This has two regrettable effects: people's lives are not reflected accurately in fiction and plenty of fascinating material for writers goes to waste. But Mr de Botton is enthralled with the details of where people work and what they do. And these details, from obscure barcodes to complex manufacturing techniques, provide a fascinating window on modern life."