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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lem points out the irony of being controlled without awareness of that control.
In plain terms
You are being controlled but you do not know it.
What can you take from it?
Be aware of invisible influences on your choices.

Where it applies

  • social dynamics
  • political influence
  • self-reflection

Putting it to work

  • question authority
  • seek awareness
  • analyze influences

Questions to consider

  • What controls you without you knowing?
  • Are you truly free?

Another view

People are not always unaware of their constraints.

More from Stanislaw Lem

  1. A man who for an entire week does nothing but hit himself over the head has little reason to be proud.

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  2. Really, one of us ought to have the courage to call the experiment off and shoulder the responsibility for the decision, but the majority reckons that that kin…

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  3. Starozytni mawiali: 'mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur'. Swiat laknie oszustw, wiec jest oszukiwany.

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