---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What would you prefer? Life in a…"
description: "\"“What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison or trapped in Jurassic Park?\" \"Do I have a social standing in this prison?\" \"No. You're just ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg"
---

#  What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison…

![“What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison or trapped in Jurassic Park?&quot; &quot;Do I have a social standing in this prison?&quot; &quot;No. You're just an average Joe.&quot; &quot;Then I guess I have to go with Jurassic Park.&quot; &quot;Why?&quot; &quot;Well, I'll have constant fresh air, for a start, and also if I'm going to…” quote by Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg)

> ““What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison or trapped in Jurassic Park?" "Do I have a social standing in this prison?" "No. You're just an average Joe." "Then I guess I have to go with Jurassic Park." "Why?" "Well, I'll have constant fresh air, for a start, and also if I'm going to be anyone's prey, I'm going to be the prey of an animal that's acting out of instinct rather than psychopathy... You?" "If you're in Jurassic Park, I'm in Jurassic Park.””

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Choosing a dangerous but natural environment over a controlled prison reflects a preference for instinctual threats over human cruelty.

**In simple terms:** Prefer animal danger to human cruelty.

Key Takeaway

Choose natural over artificial threats.

Themes

choice survival psychology

Mood

contemplative dramatic

Type

philosophical narrative

When to use this quote

- prison life
- theme park experience
- personal safety decisions

Key Concepts

instinct vs psychopathy risk assessment freedom

Questions to Reflect On

- What risk feels more tolerable?
- How does instinct shape your choices?

A Different Perspective

May underestimate human cruelty in controlled settings.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Average joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-joe/) [Fresh air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fresh-air/) [Guess Jurassic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guess-jurassic-1582337/) [Jurassic park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jurassic-park/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Park Jurassic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/park-jurassic-312493/) [Psychopathy Jurassic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychopathy-jurassic-1582336/) [Trapped Jurassic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trapped-jurassic-1582338/)

## Related quotes

> [Now, once again, we find ourselves facing rising gas prices, and the question is: This time, are we going to learn from the past?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/now-once-again-we-find-ourselves-facing-rising-gas-prices-and-the/)

[Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/)

> [Life is as easy as a walk in the park . . . . JURASSIC PARK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/life-is-as-easy-as-a-walk-in-the-park-jurassic-park/)

[Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/)

> [Computer language design is just like a stroll in the park. Jurassic Park, that is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/computer-language-design-is-just-like-a-stroll-in-the-park-jurassic/)

[Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/)

> [Marriage life is so easy. It's like a walk in the park. The problem is the park is Jurassic!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/marriage-life-is-so-easy-it-s-like-a-walk-in-the-park-the-problem-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [All I can say is we love what we do, and the audience is still there for us. I think what's given us such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickey-medlocke/all-i-can-say-is-we-love-what-we-do-and-the-audience-is-still-there/)

[Rickey Medlocke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickey-medlocke/)

> [With the single crossing over to pop radio, it's bringing out new people to the shows. We've got all our metal kids and punk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacoby-shaddix/with-the-single-crossing-over-to-pop-radio-it-s-bringing-out-new/)

[Jacoby Shaddix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacoby-shaddix/)

> [Just because men of renown, such as Edgar Cayce, Albert Einstein, Gandhi, or even Nikola Tesla, say something; doesn't that it is true...or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yourmaj3sty/just-because-men-of-renown-such-as-edgar-cayce-albert-einstein-gandhi/)

[YourMaj3sty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yourmaj3sty/)

> [It's very difficult to get your ideas to Hollywood if you're the average Joe or Jane. An agent wouldn't bother with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-nash/it-s-very-difficult-to-get-your-ideas-to-hollywood-if-you-re-the/)

[Bruce Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-nash/)

> [“It’s not all “molly” and “asshat.” The etymologies of some words are, for the lexicographer and average joe alike, boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kory-stamper/it-s-not-all-molly-and-asshat-the-etymologies-of-some-words-are-for/)

[Kory Stamper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kory-stamper/)

> [The professionals are going to be joined by the average Joe. Everybody's a publisher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-brown/the-professionals-are-going-to-be-joined-by-the-average-joe-everybody/)

[Eric Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-brown/)

> [What makes an Alexander Payne movie an 'Alexander Payne movie' is that he knows how to make the 'mundane' or the 'average Joe' special.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/what-makes-an-alexander-payne-movie-an-alexander-payne-movie-is-that/)

[Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/)

> [I think what makes me different from the average Joe is that I feel free to be myself and express myself in the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/i-think-what-makes-me-different-from-the-average-joe-is-that-i-feel/)

[Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/)

> [I've never wanted to be your average Joe. I've always wanted to stand out from the crowd - to be someone looked at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-jr/i-ve-never-wanted-to-be-your-average-joe-i-ve-always-wanted-to-stand/)

[Chris Eubank Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-jr/)

> [Are you suggesting I’m not normal? (Nykyrian) Oh yeah, baby, you ooze normality. From the top of that assassin’s braid to the tip of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/are-you-suggesting-i-m-not-normal-nykyrian-oh-yeah-baby-you-ooze/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [“I don’t like the term “Average Joe.” I prefer “Dolly,” because not only is the Everyman a sheep, but he’s also a clone. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-don-t-like-the-term-average-joe-i-prefer-dolly-because-not-only-is/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## More by Samantha Young

> [“Ellie, I want everything with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/ellie-i-want-everything-with-you/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“I can’t go on like this. I’m not the guy who cheats on his girlfriend wishing all the time she was someone else.” Elation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/i-can-t-go-on-like-this-i-m-not-the-guy-who-cheats-on-his-girlfriend/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“I don’t care if you’ve changed. I don’t care who you are now. I don’t need or want your explanations because what you did,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/i-don-t-care-if-you-ve-changed-i-don-t-care-who-you-are-now-i-don-t/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“It’s a manwhore miracle”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/it-s-a-manwhore-miracle/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“You get everything you need?” She squealed like an idiot and whirled around to see him smirking at her. “JeSUS!” She glared at him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/you-get-everything-you-need-she-squealed-like-an-idiot-and-whirled/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“I would say it was nice to meet you, but I was naked so… it wasn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/i-would-say-it-was-nice-to-meet-you-but-i-was-naked-so-it-wasn-t/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“You know, L, I'm feeling overwhelmed by your kindness and charm." "I try to leash the potency of the charm but it's too exhaustin'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/you-know-l-i-m-feeling-overwhelmed-by-your-kindness-and-charm-i-try/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“She tried to offer Ella help but was shooed back into her seat between Magnus and Irini. She watched incredulously at the amount of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/she-tried-to-offer-ella-help-but-was-shooed-back-into-her-seat/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“She raised her eyebrows, looping her hands around his neck and wriggling provocatively. 'Looks like I've just been promoted to Alpha then, huh?' Lucien…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/she-raised-her-eyebrows-looping-her-hands-around-his-neck-and/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“That’s why, as I was leaving for work, I sent him a text that said something I had never said to a guy before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/that-s-why-as-i-was-leaving-for-work-i-sent-him-a-text-that-said/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“Are you insane? I'm not going to change my mind." "Yes you will." Braden sighed. "We're going to need each other through this. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/are-you-insane-i-m-not-going-to-change-my-mind-yes-you-will-braden/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“Upstairs in my bed, where it had all started, I slowly made love to Nate, promising him with every inch of me, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/upstairs-in-my-bed-where-it-had-all-started-i-slowly-made-love-to/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“We are all looking for a place in life, somewhere we fit. It’s not a place that changes who we are or what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/we-are-all-looking-for-a-place-in-life-somewhere-we-fit-it-s-not-a/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“What's the use of the wind if it won't take you away on it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-s-the-use-of-the-wind-if-it-won-t-take-you-away-on-it/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“...he followed you into the staff room and didn't come back for twenty minutes and when he did come back, he looked like he'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/he-followed-you-into-the-staff-room-and-didn-t-come-back-for-twenty/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

[Explore all 340 Samantha Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

## More Average joe quotes

> [“I don’t like the term “Average Joe.” I prefer “Dolly,” because not only is the Everyman a sheep, but he’s also a clone. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-don-t-like-the-term-average-joe-i-prefer-dolly-because-not-only-is/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [Are you suggesting I’m not normal? (Nykyrian) Oh yeah, baby, you ooze normality. From the top of that assassin’s braid to the tip of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/are-you-suggesting-i-m-not-normal-nykyrian-oh-yeah-baby-you-ooze/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [I've never wanted to be your average Joe. I've always wanted to stand out from the crowd - to be someone looked at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-jr/i-ve-never-wanted-to-be-your-average-joe-i-ve-always-wanted-to-stand/)

[Chris Eubank Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-jr/)

> [I think what makes me different from the average Joe is that I feel free to be myself and express myself in the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/i-think-what-makes-me-different-from-the-average-joe-is-that-i-feel/)

[Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/)

> [What makes an Alexander Payne movie an 'Alexander Payne movie' is that he knows how to make the 'mundane' or the 'average Joe' special.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/what-makes-an-alexander-payne-movie-an-alexander-payne-movie-is-that/)

[Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/)

> [The professionals are going to be joined by the average Joe. Everybody's a publisher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-brown/the-professionals-are-going-to-be-joined-by-the-average-joe-everybody/)

[Eric Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-brown/)

> [“It’s not all “molly” and “asshat.” The etymologies of some words are, for the lexicographer and average joe alike, boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kory-stamper/it-s-not-all-molly-and-asshat-the-etymologies-of-some-words-are-for/)

[Kory Stamper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kory-stamper/)

> [It's very difficult to get your ideas to Hollywood if you're the average Joe or Jane. An agent wouldn't bother with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-nash/it-s-very-difficult-to-get-your-ideas-to-hollywood-if-you-re-the/)

[Bruce Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-nash/)

> [Just because men of renown, such as Edgar Cayce, Albert Einstein, Gandhi, or even Nikola Tesla, say something; doesn't that it is true...or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yourmaj3sty/just-because-men-of-renown-such-as-edgar-cayce-albert-einstein-gandhi/)

[YourMaj3sty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yourmaj3sty/)

> [With the single crossing over to pop radio, it's bringing out new people to the shows. We've got all our metal kids and punk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacoby-shaddix/with-the-single-crossing-over-to-pop-radio-it-s-bringing-out-new/)

[Jacoby Shaddix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacoby-shaddix/)

> [All I can say is we love what we do, and the audience is still there for us. I think what's given us such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickey-medlocke/all-i-can-say-is-we-love-what-we-do-and-the-audience-is-still-there/)

[Rickey Medlocke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickey-medlocke/)

> [“He tilted his head back like she’d slapped him. “Are you suggesting I’m not normal?” She held her hands up in mock surrender. “Oh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/he-tilted-his-head-back-like-she-d-slapped-him-are-you-suggesting-i-m/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [I don't have any extraordinary gifts. I'm just an average Joe who grew up very poor in rural Alabama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-don-t-have-any-extraordinary-gifts-i-m-just-an-average-joe-who-grew/)

[John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/)

> [People ask me how come you've been around so long. Well, it's through playing the part of Mr Average Joe American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cooper/people-ask-me-how-come-you-ve-been-around-so-long-well-it-s-through/)

[Gary Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cooper/)

> [With Don Rickles and me, we're just telling the truth. We're not terrific people, and we're not gonna win the beauty contest. We're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lampanelli/with-don-rickles-and-me-we-re-just-telling-the-truth-we-re-not/)

[Lisa Lampanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lampanelli/)

[Browse all 27 Average joe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-joe/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison or trapped in Jurassic Park?\" \"Do I have a social standing in this prison?\" \"No. You're just an average Joe.\" \"Then I guess I have to go with Jurassic Park.\" \"Why?\" \"Well, I'll have constant fresh air, for a start, and also if I'm going to be anyone's prey, I'm going to be the prey of an animal that's acting out of instinct rather than psychopathy... You?\" \"If you're in Jurassic Park, I'm in Jurassic Park.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Samantha Young"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum-security-prison-or-trapped-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Average joe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum-security-prison-or-trapped-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/samantha-young-766_average-joe_what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum_2558259.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What would you prefer? Life in a maximum-security prison or trapped in Jurassic Park?\" \"Do I have a social…” — Samantha Young",
                "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": "Samantha Young",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“What would you prefer? Life in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum-security-prison-or-trapped-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-would-you-prefer-life-in-a-maximum-security-prison-or-trapped-in/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
