--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's like there's this knowledge hanging…" description: "\"It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that one person has more power than the other, and we're supposed to pretend everything is nice and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg" --- # It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that… ![“It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that one person has more power than the other, and we're supposed to pretend everything is nice and normal and equal, but in reality, luck or chance has showered benefits on one person that the other person couldn't dream of.” quote by Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg) > “It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that one person has more power than the other, and we're supposed to pretend everything is nice and normal and equal, but in reality, luck or chance has showered benefits on one person that the other person couldn't dream of.” [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights how perceived equality masks underlying inequities shaped by random fortune, granting disproportionate advantage to some while others remain disadvantaged. **In simple terms:** Unequal luck beneath a facade of fairness. Key Takeaway Power often stems from chance, not merit. Themes inequality luck social perception power dynamics meritocracy privilege Mood reflective critical somber Type observation social critique philosophical When to use this quote - workplace promotions - educational opportunities - inheritance disputes - political representation - social networking Key Concepts social stratification randomness perceived fairness hidden advantage Practical Applications - policy design to address systemic bias - personal awareness of privilege Questions to Reflect On - How does acknowledging randomness change our view of merit? - What actions can reduce the impact of unearned advantage? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Privilege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privilege/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [The reality is that luck does play a part of it. It does. Ultimately it's a make or miss league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-spoelstra/the-reality-is-that-luck-does-play-a-part-of-it-it-does-ultimately-it/) [Erik Spoelstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-spoelstra/) > [“A cold chill shot down my spine. How the hell did this freaking ass-hat have any position of authority? Power was supposed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameo-renae/a-cold-chill-shot-down-my-spine-how-the-hell-did-this-freaking-ass/) [Cameo Renae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameo-renae/) > [Power is supposed to be so corrupt. I don't think it's so much corrupt, in the usual sense of the word, as stupid and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/power-is-supposed-to-be-so-corrupt-i-don-t-think-it-s-so-much-corrupt/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [This power that I'm supposed to have over women was never noticed when I was a stage actor on Broadway. I don't know when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gable/this-power-that-i-m-supposed-to-have-over-women-was-never-noticed/) [Clark Gable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gable/) > [No matter whether you believe in luck or chance, the final decision is from yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-whether-you-believe-in-luck-or-chance-the-final-decision-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [While persistence offers no guarantees, it does give 'luck' a chance to operate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shippey/while-persistence-offers-no-guarantees-it-does-give-luck-a-chance-to/) [Tom Shippey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shippey/) > [I wanted, I think, to acknowledge Luck: the chance of it, the benevolence of it in my life, and the brutality of it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-newman/i-wanted-i-think-to-acknowledge-luck-the-chance-of-it-the-benevolence/) [Paul Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-newman/) > [Dont leave luck up to chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-gieni/dont-leave-luck-up-to-chance/) Jeremy Gieni > [What is luck? It is not only chance, it is also creating the opportunity, recognizing it when it is there, and taking it when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-josefowitz/what-is-luck-it-is-not-only-chance-it-is-also-creating-the/) Natasha Josefowitz > [Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-housman/luck-s-a-chance-but-trouble-s-sure/) [A. E. Housman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-e-housman/) > [“Only those that give luck a chance, can achieve the unusual!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-ott/only-those-that-give-luck-a-chance-can-achieve-the-unusual/) Dieter Ott > [What we call luck, what we call chance, is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. If you stay ready, then you aint gotta get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/what-we-call-luck-what-we-call-chance-is-what-happens-when/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [“There are rules to luck, not everything is chance for the wise; luck can be helped by skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-rules-to-luck-not-everything-is-chance-for-the-wise-luck/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I always believed in my ability. I just had to work hard and be patient and, yeah, at times it didn't look likely. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-robertson/i-always-believed-in-my-ability-i-just-had-to-work-hard-and-be/) [Andrew Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-robertson/) > [Give luck a chance to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-kite/give-luck-a-chance-to-happen/) [Tom Kite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-kite/) ## More by Sara Benincasa > [I used to think that having lots of friends meant that you were happy. That's really not true. Having the right friends means that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/i-used-to-think-that-having-lots-of-friends-meant-that-you-were-happy/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [The world will not give you an endowment for your finger-painting. Your finger-painting may be marvelous, but our government and society do not value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/the-world-will-not-give-you-an-endowment-for-your-finger-painting/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [I think that if you want help from somebody, you ask. You ask not expecting anyone to give it to you, unless it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/i-think-that-if-you-want-help-from-somebody-you-ask-you-ask-not/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [In the short term, it absolutely feels devastating to break a bond of friendship. In the long term, it is the best possible thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/in-the-short-term-it-absolutely-feels-devastating-to-break-a-bond-of/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [I do not, right now in this moment today, want to be married. After entertaining proposals, researching the cost of a wedding, and looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/i-do-not-right-now-in-this-moment-today-want-to-be-married-after/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [When I go to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, they have wonderful topiary in the shapes of characters. I apply the principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/when-i-go-to-the-magic-kingdom-at-walt-disney-world-they-have/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [Most people don't want to work with liars. They'll work with a liar if the liar makes them money and gives them credit, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/most-people-don-t-want-to-work-with-liars-they-ll-work-with-a-liar-if/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [When you're disappointed romantically - when people evolve or they move on, when somebody doesn't love you in the same way anymore or you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/when-you-re-disappointed-romantically-when-people-evolve-or-they-move/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [It's time to hand back responsibility for being an adult to everyone in the situation. You're not helping anybody by staying in a romantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/it-s-time-to-hand-back-responsibility-for-being-an-adult-to-everyone/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [If you buy my book at Walmart, I don't want you to read it. I want you to set it on fire. Because that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/if-you-buy-my-book-at-walmart-i-don-t-want-you-to-read-it-i-want-you/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [The biggest strength is being able to have perspective. Get the distance, and it enables you to be able to laugh at yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/the-biggest-strength-is-being-able-to-have-perspective-get-the/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [“I'm a young woman who subverts the conventionally accepted gender paradigm because I refuse to conform.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/i-m-a-young-woman-who-subverts-the-conventionally-accepted-gender/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [One of the best practices in the manual of human existence is to assist people who need help when you can safely do so.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/one-of-the-best-practices-in-the-manual-of-human-existence-is-to/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [What I really wanted wasn't what I thought I was supposed to want. It wasn't what people had told me I should want or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/what-i-really-wanted-wasn-t-what-i-thought-i-was-supposed-to-want-it/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) > [When you're mired in the depths of depression, it's impossible to believe that anything can get better, but it can and it will. Seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/when-you-re-mired-in-the-depths-of-depression-it-s-impossible-to/) [Sara Benincasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) [Explore all 20 Sara Benincasa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) Alejandro Taubas > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that one person has more power than the other, and we're supposed to pretend everything is nice and normal and equal, but in reality, luck or chance has showered benefits on one person that the other person couldn't dream of.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sara Benincasa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging-in-the-air-that-one-person/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging-in-the-air-that-one-person/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8d/sara-benincasa-27743_chance_it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging_69871.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's like there's this knowledge hanging in the air that one person has more power than the other, and we're…” — Sara Benincasa", "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": "Sara Benincasa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-benincasa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's like there's this knowledge hanging...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging-in-the-air-that-one-person/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-benincasa/it-s-like-there-s-this-knowledge-hanging-in-the-air-that-one-person/#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 } } ] } ```