--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even if nonpolluting power were feasible…" description: "\"Even if nonpolluting power were feasible and abundant, the use of energy on a massive scale acts on society like a drug that is physically harmless but..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/ivan-illich-3546_active_even-if-nonpolluting-power-were-feasible_387451.png" --- # Even if nonpolluting power were feasible and abundant, the… ![“Even if nonpolluting power were feasible and abundant, the use of energy on a massive scale acts on society like a drug that is physically harmless but psychically enslaving. A community can choose between Methadone and "cold turkey"-between maintaining its addiction to alien energy and kicking it…” quote by Ivan Illich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/ivan-illich-3546_active_even-if-nonpolluting-power-were-feasible_387451.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/ivan-illich-3546_active_even-if-nonpolluting-power-were-feasible_387451.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/ivan-illich-3546_active_even-if-nonpolluting-power-were-feasible_387451.png) > “Even if nonpolluting power were feasible and abundant, the use of energy on a massive scale acts on society like a drug that is physically harmless but psychically enslaving. A community can choose between Methadone and "cold turkey"-between maintaining its addiction to alien energy and kicking it in painful cramps-but no society can have a population that is hooked on progressively larger numbers of energy slaves and whose members are also autonomously active.” [Ivan Illich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-illich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abundant, clean energy can become a societal dependency, enslaving people psychologically despite its physical safety. **In simple terms:** Energy can become an addictive, harmful habit. Key Takeaway Limit energy consumption to avoid dependence. Themes dependency energy societal health Mood urgent thoughtful Type critical inspirational When to use this quote - urban planning - policy making - personal lifestyle - community education Key Concepts addiction technology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can societies shift to sustainable habits without hardship? - What alternatives reduce energy “addiction”? A Different Perspective Transitioning away from energy may cause economic disruption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Cold turkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-turkey/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) ## Related quotes > [Amory Lovins has said that the only reason Americans look efficient is that each has 300 energy slaves. Those 300 energy slaves will now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/amory-lovins-has-said-that-the-only-reason-americans-look-efficient/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [I was on Vicodin, Valium and Ambien, and toward the end, which caused my overdose, methadone. 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