--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are not only observers. We are…" description: "\"We are not only observers. We are participators. In some strange sense this is aparticipatory universe.\" — John Archibald Wheeler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/john-archibald-wheeler-17976_observers_we-are-not-only-observers-we-are-partici_945527.png" --- # We are not only observers. We are participators. In some… ![“We are not only observers. We are participators. In some strange sense this is aparticipatory universe.” quote by John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/john-archibald-wheeler-17976_observers_we-are-not-only-observers-we-are-partici_945527.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/john-archibald-wheeler-17976_observers_we-are-not-only-observers-we-are-partici_945527.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/john-archibald-wheeler-17976_observers_we-are-not-only-observers-we-are-partici_945527.png) > “We are not only observers. We are participators. In some strange sense this is aparticipatory universe.” [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reality is not passive observation; we actively shape it, implying a participatory universe where consciousness influences existence. **In simple terms:** We co‑create reality through participation. Key Takeaway Engage actively with the world. Themes philosophy physics consciousness Mood curious thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - scientific research - spiritual practice - creative projects - social activism Key Concepts participatory reality observer effect Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do you feel you influence reality? - Can participation change outcomes? A Different Perspective The concept is debated and hard to test empirically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [The observer cannot be left out of the description of the observation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/the-observer-cannot-be-left-out-of-the-description-of-the-observation/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > ['Participant' is the incontrovertible new concept given by quantum mechanics. It strikes down the 'observer' of classical theory, the man who stands safely behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/participant-is-the-incontrovertible-new-concept-given-by-quantum/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [A child is an eager observer and is particularly attracted by the actions of the adults and wants to imitate them. In this regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/a-child-is-an-eager-observer-and-is-particularly-attracted-by-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [I was sent there by the Free Congress Committee, headed by Paul Weyrich. Fred Smith and I were sent down as observers, with reporters'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dixie-lee-ray/i-was-sent-there-by-the-free-congress-committee-headed-by-paul/) [Dixie Lee Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dixie-lee-ray/) > [GOOD AS NEW was born out of the idea of writing a play where the stakes were high and the collisions were of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hedges/good-as-new-was-born-out-of-the-idea-of-writing-a-play-where-the/) [Peter Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hedges/) > [The regular division of the plane into congruent figures evoking an association in the observer with a familiar natural object is one of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/the-regular-division-of-the-plane-into-congruent-figures-evoking-an/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [The camera has an interest in turning history into spectacle, but none in reversing the process. At best, the picture leaves a vague blur…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-donoghue/the-camera-has-an-interest-in-turning-history-into-spectacle-but-none/) [Denis Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-donoghue/) > [About myself - no. I'm unimportant, an observer, a wandering animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/about-myself-no-i-m-unimportant-an-observer-a-wandering-animal/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) > [Precise, graceful, and generous, the poems in SuperLoop, seem to be born out of a deep, careful attention and a profound compassion. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-limon/precise-graceful-and-generous-the-poems-in-superloop-seem-to-be-born/) [Ada Limon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-limon/) > [All great expression, which on a superficial survey seems so easy as well as so simple, furnishes after a while, to the faithful observer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/all-great-expression-which-on-a-superficial-survey-seems-so-easy-as/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [It's really a pity that there are observers who view political events like comic strips. There has to be a Zorro, there has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sankara/it-s-really-a-pity-that-there-are-observers-who-view-political-events/) [Thomas Sankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sankara/) > [Why chase after thoughts, which are superficial ripples of present awareness? Rather look directly into the naked, empty nature of thoughts; then there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamgon-kongtrul/why-chase-after-thoughts-which-are-superficial-ripples-of-present/) Jamgon Kongtrul > [An observer situated in a nebula and moving with the nebula will observe the same properties of the universe as any other similarly situated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-bondi/an-observer-situated-in-a-nebula-and-moving-with-the-nebula-will/) [Hermann Bondi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-bondi/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) Gero Miesenbock ## More by John Archibald Wheeler > [“Never make a calculation until you know the answer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/never-make-a-calculation-until-you-know-the-answer/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [Spacetime tells matter how to move; matter tells spacetime how to curve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/spacetime-tells-matter-how-to-move-matter-tells-spacetime-how-to-curve/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [“Never make a calculation until you know the answer. Make an estimate before every calculation, try a simple physical argument (symmetry! invariance! conservation!) before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/never-make-a-calculation-until-you-know-the-answer-make-an-estimate/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [One can only learn by teaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/one-can-only-learn-by-teaching/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [Time, among all concepts in the world of physics, puts up the greatest resistance to being dethroned from ideal continuum to the world of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/time-among-all-concepts-in-the-world-of-physics-puts-up-the-greatest/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [The laws of physics that we regard as 'sacred,' as immutable, are anything but.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/the-laws-of-physics-that-we-regard-as-sacred-as-immutable-are/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [There are many modes of thinking about the world around us and our place in it. I like to consider all the angles from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/there-are-many-modes-of-thinking-about-the-world-around-us-and-our/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [If you haven't found something strange during the day, it hasn't been much of a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/if-you-haven-t-found-something-strange-during-the-day-it-hasn-t-been/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [In order to more fully understand this reality, we must take into account other dimensions of a broader reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/in-order-to-more-fully-understand-this-reality-we-must-take-into/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [I like to say, when asked why I pursue science, that it is to satisfy my curiosity, that I am by nature a searcher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/i-like-to-say-when-asked-why-i-pursue-science-that-it-is-to-satisfy/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > ['Participant' is the incontrovertible new concept given by quantum mechanics. It strikes down the 'observer' of classical theory, the man who stands safely behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/participant-is-the-incontrovertible-new-concept-given-by-quantum/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [We will first understand how simple the universe is when we recognize how strange it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/we-will-first-understand-how-simple-the-universe-is-when-we-recognize/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [I like to think that someone will trace how the deepest thinking of India made its way to Greece and from there to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/i-like-to-think-that-someone-will-trace-how-the-deepest-thinking-of/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [Of all heroes , Spinoza was Einstein 's greatest. No one expressed more strongly then he a belief in the harmony , the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/of-all-heroes-spinoza-was-einstein-s-greatest-no-one-expressed-more/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [“Physicists love this number not just because it is dimensionless, but also because it is a combination of three fundamental constants of nature. Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/physicists-love-this-number-not-just-because-it-is-dimensionless-but/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) [Explore all 36 John Archibald Wheeler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) ## More Observers quotes > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) Gero Miesenbock > [An observer situated in a nebula and moving with the nebula will observe the same properties of the universe as any other similarly situated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-bondi/an-observer-situated-in-a-nebula-and-moving-with-the-nebula-will/) [Hermann Bondi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-bondi/) > [Why chase after thoughts, which are superficial ripples of present awareness? Rather look directly into the naked, empty nature of thoughts; then there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamgon-kongtrul/why-chase-after-thoughts-which-are-superficial-ripples-of-present/) Jamgon Kongtrul > [It's really a pity that there are observers who view political events like comic strips. There has to be a Zorro, there has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sankara/it-s-really-a-pity-that-there-are-observers-who-view-political-events/) [Thomas Sankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sankara/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [All great expression, which on a superficial survey seems so easy as well as so simple, furnishes after a while, to the faithful observer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/all-great-expression-which-on-a-superficial-survey-seems-so-easy-as/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [Precise, graceful, and generous, the poems in SuperLoop, seem to be born out of a deep, careful attention and a profound compassion. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-limon/precise-graceful-and-generous-the-poems-in-superloop-seem-to-be-born/) [Ada Limon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-limon/) > [About myself - no. I'm unimportant, an observer, a wandering animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/about-myself-no-i-m-unimportant-an-observer-a-wandering-animal/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) > [The camera has an interest in turning history into spectacle, but none in reversing the process. At best, the picture leaves a vague blur…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-donoghue/the-camera-has-an-interest-in-turning-history-into-spectacle-but-none/) [Denis Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-donoghue/) > [The regular division of the plane into congruent figures evoking an association in the observer with a familiar natural object is one of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/the-regular-division-of-the-plane-into-congruent-figures-evoking-an/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [GOOD AS NEW was born out of the idea of writing a play where the stakes were high and the collisions were of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hedges/good-as-new-was-born-out-of-the-idea-of-writing-a-play-where-the/) [Peter Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hedges/) > [I was sent there by the Free Congress Committee, headed by Paul Weyrich. Fred Smith and I were sent down as observers, with reporters'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dixie-lee-ray/i-was-sent-there-by-the-free-congress-committee-headed-by-paul/) [Dixie Lee Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dixie-lee-ray/) > [A child is an eager observer and is particularly attracted by the actions of the adults and wants to imitate them. In this regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/a-child-is-an-eager-observer-and-is-particularly-attracted-by-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Even a casual observer can see that not one of the systems, institutions, and devices that our species has put into place on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/even-a-casual-observer-can-see-that-not-one-of-the-systems/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [I'm not asking a poem to carry a lot of rocks in its pockets. Just being an ordinary observer and liver and feeler and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-olds/i-m-not-asking-a-poem-to-carry-a-lot-of-rocks-in-its-pockets-just/) [Sharon Olds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-olds/) Browse all 404 Observers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are not only observers. We are participators. 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