The formula for prison is a lack of space counterbalanced by a surplus of time.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Prison life is defined by the contrast between overcrowding and the endlessness of time.
- In plain terms
- Prison combines lack of space with too much time.
- What can you take from it?
- Confinement creates a psychological strain from crowded space and idle time.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does environment shape experience?
- What is the true cost of prison?
Another view
It overlooks those who find purpose or activity despite time and space constraints.
More from Joseph Brodsky
It is the army that finally makes a citizen of you; without it you still have a chance, however slim, to remain a human being.
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