Ask yourself Quote by Cory Doctorow
““You're awfully sure of yourself, aren't you? But ask yourself this: How can you know that you didn't spring up fully formed, all of these little convictions stamped upon you? Or, even if your little origin myth is true, how do you know you weren't tampered with? Maybe someone forked you and then intentionally changed your parameters to make you believe what you do. Don't you think it's awfully convenient that there was a totally unsuspected corner of my identity that was willing to chuck out a lifetime of refusal and revulsion in favor of a full-throated embrace of the glories of disembodied life?””
About This Quote
Source Book: Walkaway by Cory Doctorow, 2017
It questions the certainty of self‑identity and suggests our beliefs may be engineered or altered by external forces.
In simple terms: Our sense of self might be shaped by hidden influences.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions about identity.
Themes
identity
control
technology
philosophy
trust
Mood
skeptical
curious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- AI ethics
- social media influence
- psychological self‑assessment
Key Concepts
free will
determinism
information manipulation
posthumanism
Questions to Reflect On
- What core beliefs might be externally imposed?
- How can we verify the authenticity of our convictions?
A Different Perspective
Identity may be more fluid than we think.
