--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert…" description: "\"Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.\" — Claude Shannon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png" --- # Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows… ![“Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.” quote by Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png) > “Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.” [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calling something 'cybernetics' sounds impressive, giving you an argumentative edge because its meaning is unclear. **In simple terms:** Using vague terms can win arguments. Key Takeaway Use precise language to avoid manipulation. Themes communication argumentation vagueness Mood critical analytical Type educational advice When to use this quote - debates - teaching - writing - marketing Key Concepts rhetoric linguistics Questions to Reflect On - When is it ethical to use technical jargon? - How does clarity affect persuasion? A Different Perspective Misusing jargon can erode trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Advantage Arguments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage-arguments-4801661/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Arguments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguments/) [Cybernetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybernetics/) [Cybernetics Norbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybernetics-norbert-4801659/) [Free speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-speech/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Nobody knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobody-knows/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Word Cybernetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-cybernetics-4801660/) ## Related quotes > [“The future science of government should be called 'la cybernétique' (1843) { Coining the French word to mean 'the art of governing,' from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-marie-ampere/the-future-science-of-government-should-be-called-la-cybern-tique/) [Andre-Marie Ampere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-marie-ampere/) > [“There is nothing distinctively scientific about the hypothetico-deductive process. It is not even distinctively intellectual. It is merely a scientific context for a much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-b-medawar/there-is-nothing-distinctively-scientific-about-the-hypothetico/) [Peter B. Medawar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-b-medawar/) > [To many of us now, computers, silicon chips, data processing, cybernetics, and all the other innovations of the dawning high technology age are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/to-many-of-us-now-computers-silicon-chips-data-processing-cybernetics/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/within-you-right-now-is-the-power-to-do-things-you-never-dreamed-2/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [This is where you will win the battle - in the playhouse of your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/this-is-where-you-will-win-the-battle-in-the-playhouse-of-your-mind/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [“Our metaphors for the operation of the brain are frequently drawn from the production line. We think of the brain as a glorified sausage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-grand/our-metaphors-for-the-operation-of-the-brain-are-frequently-drawn/) [Steve Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-grand/) > [Cybernetics is NOT the banana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/cybernetics-is-not-the-banana/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [the science of control and communication in the animal and the machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/the-science-of-control-and-communication-in-the-animal-and-the-machine/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) > [Study the situation thoroughly, go over in your imagination the various courses of action possible to you and the consequences which can and may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/study-the-situation-thoroughly-go-over-in-your-imagination-the/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [The aliens on this planet are also attempting to clone or replicate the human form artificially. Their original form, being humanoid, cannot pass the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tsarion/the-aliens-on-this-planet-are-also-attempting-to-clone-or-replicate/) [Michael Tsarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tsarion/) > [Something of the previous state, however, survives every change. This is called in the language of cybernetics (which took it form the language of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-davenport/something-of-the-previous-state-however-survives-every-change-this-is/) [Guy Davenport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-davenport/) > [The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/the-encyclopedia-galactica-defines-a-robot-as-a-mechanical-apparatus/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [“Pick up a pinecone and count the spiral rows of scales. You may find eight spirals winding up to the left and 13 spirals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-kauffman/pick-up-a-pinecone-and-count-the-spiral-rows-of-scales-you-may-find/) [Stuart Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-kauffman/) > [“There is reason to fear that men love better to investigate how muslins, hay-rakes, and, above all and inclusive of all, money may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fitz-hugh-ludlow/there-is-reason-to-fear-that-men-love-better-to-investigate-how/) [Fitz Hugh Ludlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fitz-hugh-ludlow/) > [“What I have said about the newspapers and the movies applies equally to the radio, to television, and even to bookselling. Thus we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/what-i-have-said-about-the-newspapers-and-the-movies-applies-equally/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) ## More by Claude Shannon > [My greatest concern was what to call it. I thought of calling it ‘information’, but the word was overly used, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/my-greatest-concern-was-what-to-call-it-i-thought-of-calling-it/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [The fundamental problem of communication is that of reproducing at one point either exactly or approximately a message selected at another point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/the-fundamental-problem-of-communication-is-that-of-reproducing-at/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [Cousins are part of your life so stick with cuz, not friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/cousins-are-part-of-your-life-so-stick-with-cuz-not-friends/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [I just wondered how things were put together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/i-just-wondered-how-things-were-put-together/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [I visualize a time when we will be to robots what dogs are to humans. And I am rooting for the machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/i-visualize-a-time-when-we-will-be-to-robots-what-dogs-are-to-humans/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [Information is the #resolution of uncertainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/information-is-the-resolution-of-uncertainty/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [I am very seldom interested in applications. I am more interested in the elegance of a problem. Is it a good problem, an interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/i-am-very-seldom-interested-in-applications-i-am-more-interested-in/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [We know the past but cannot control it. We control the future but cannot know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/we-know-the-past-but-cannot-control-it-we-control-the-future-but/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) > [Information: the negative reciprocal value of probability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/information-the-negative-reciprocal-value-of-probability/) [Claude Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) [Explore all 10 Claude Shannon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/) ## More Advantage quotes > [Dogmatists have one advantage: they are poor listeners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/dogmatists-have-one-advantage-they-are-poor-listeners/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [All I ever wanted was an unfair advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/all-i-ever-wanted-was-an-unfair-advantage/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Part of the advantage, and part of the result of trying to be a producer and director, are the practical things, you find. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/part-of-the-advantage-and-part-of-the-result-of-trying-to-be-a/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [I was born with a silver microphone in my mouth, and that was an advantage. My father wrote books and was also a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dimbleby/i-was-born-with-a-silver-microphone-in-my-mouth-and-that-was-an/) [Jonathan Dimbleby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dimbleby/) > [Like funny men, skilled diners are apparently perceived to have an evolutionary advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/like-funny-men-skilled-diners-are-apparently-perceived-to-have-an/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [For some reason when I decide to pursue something, I never have any fear that it won't happen. I think it's just ingrained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-blatz/for-some-reason-when-i-decide-to-pursue-something-i-never-have-any/) [Kelly Blatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-blatz/) > [I think I have good hands, so I try to use them to my advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-andreescu/i-think-i-have-good-hands-so-i-try-to-use-them-to-my-advantage/) [Bianca Andreescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-andreescu/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. World music from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/my-influences-are-jazz-blues-european-classical-music-they-are-rock/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [Baseball needs to put the steroids era behind it by having and enforcing tough rules against all kinds of artificial advantages, so that spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/baseball-needs-to-put-the-steroids-era-behind-it-by-having-and/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [Daily contact with some teachers is itself all-sided ethical education for the child without a spoken precept. Here, too, the real advantage of male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/daily-contact-with-some-teachers-is-itself-all-sided-ethical/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [ If \[Donald\] Trump throws 20 million off of health care, that's going to be - if he handles this badly - and it's very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/if-donald-trump-throws-20-million-off-of-health-care-that-s-going-to/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/live-in-the-world-you-inhabit-look-upon-things-as-they-are-take-them/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [I always tell women that the fact that you're different and that you're noticed, because there are few of us in the tech industry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/i-always-tell-women-that-the-fact-that-you-re-different-and-that-you/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) [Browse all 3,503 Advantage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Claude Shannon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because-nobody-knows-what-it-means/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advantage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because-nobody-knows-what-it-means/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/claude-shannon-41955_advantage_use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because_1383707.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an…” — Claude Shannon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Claude Shannon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-shannon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Use the word 'cybernetics', Norbert, because...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because-nobody-knows-what-it-means/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-shannon/use-the-word-cybernetics-norbert-because-nobody-knows-what-it-means/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```