--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Right now you are a prisoner of each…" description: "\"Right now you are a prisoner of each application you use. You have only the options that were given you by the developer of that application.\" — Ted Ne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fed/ted-nelson-13662_application_right-now-you-are-a-prisoner-of-each-app_1375974.png" --- # Right now you are a prisoner of each application you use… ![“Right now you are a prisoner of each application you use. You have only the options that were given you by the developer of that application.” quote by Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fed/ted-nelson-13662_application_right-now-you-are-a-prisoner-of-each-app_1375974.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fed/ted-nelson-13662_application_right-now-you-are-a-prisoner-of-each-app_1375974.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fed/ted-nelson-13662_application_right-now-you-are-a-prisoner-of-each-app_1375974.png) > “Right now you are a prisoner of each application you use. You have only the options that were given you by the developer of that application.” [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Users are limited to the choices built by developers. **In simple terms:** Users are constrained by design. Key Takeaway Advocate for more open, customizable software. Themes technology control agency Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type technological philosophical When to use this quote - app usage - developer responsibility - digital rights Key Concepts User autonomy software design Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms are you missing? - How can developers increase flexibility? A Different Perspective Not all applications restrict freedom equally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Developers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developers/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [“Developers are the most-important, most-valuable constituency in business today, regardless of industry. Technologists newly empowered with tools, hyper-connected via specialized collaboration and communication networks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-o-grady/developers-are-the-most-important-most-valuable-constituency-in/) [Stephen O’Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-o-grady/) > [Every developer will want to live in this world…and it’s our job to build it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urs-holzle/every-developer-will-want-to-live-in-this-world-and-it-s-our-job-to/) Urs Holzle > [I think the downloadable scene in general is really, really interesting for developers because it's low-risk. It doesn't require as much money as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-swift/i-think-the-downloadable-scene-in-general-is-really-really/) [Kim Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-swift/) > [With the support of our vibrant web developer community and dedicated partners, our goal is to level the playing field and usher in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-kovacs/with-the-support-of-our-vibrant-web-developer-community-and-dedicated/) [Gary Kovacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-kovacs/) > [Responsiblity is the great developer of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-parker-follett/responsiblity-is-the-great-developer-of-men/) [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) > [I was a late developer and, at the age of 15, I almost thought of quitting football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-gunnar-solskjaer/i-was-a-late-developer-and-at-the-age-of-15-i-almost-thought-of/) [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-gunnar-solskjaer/) > [We need games like 'A Closed World' for many reasons. When you hear another developer talk about how games need to grow up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/we-need-games-like-a-closed-world-for-many-reasons-when-you-hear/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [I'm a late developer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-m-a-late-developer/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [From our point of view it's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/from-our-point-of-view-it-s-important-that-apple-not-be-the-developer/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The currency in the developer community is enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-naggum/the-currency-in-the-developer-community-is-enthusiasm/) [Erik Naggum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-naggum/) > [You can't spell 'developer' without 'devel.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/you-can-t-spell-developer-without-devel/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [I just love building buildings. I'm the largest developer in New York City. I'm having a lot of fun doing it. I think I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-just-love-building-buildings-i-m-the-largest-developer-in-new-york/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I'm the kind of developer who likes to throw lightning rods around. To make a great program there's got to be at least one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-hertzfeld/i-m-the-kind-of-developer-who-likes-to-throw-lightning-rods-around-to/) [Andy Hertzfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-hertzfeld/) > [“There are many ways to achieve developer happiness, but making your core business products a playground for developers seeking novelty is the path to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-many-ways-to-achieve-developer-happiness-but-making-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For the first time we're allowing developers who don't work at Facebook to develop applications just as if they were. That's a big deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/for-the-first-time-we-re-allowing-developers-who-don-t-work-at/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) ## More by Ted Nelson > [The problem is not software 'friendliness'. It is conceptual clarity. A globe does not say, 'good morning'. It is simple and clear, not 'friendly'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/the-problem-is-not-software-friendliness-it-is-conceptual-clarity-a/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [I have long been alarmed by people's sheeplike acceptance of the term 'computer technology' - it sounds so objective and inexorable - when most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/i-have-long-been-alarmed-by-people-s-sheeplike-acceptance-of-the-term/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [How is MS-DOS like MSG? Both raise your blood pressure and give you a tightening sensation around your forehead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/how-is-ms-dos-like-msg-both-raise-your-blood-pressure-and-give-you-a/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [You can and must understand computers NOW.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/you-can-and-must-understand-computers-now/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [Power corrupts, and obsolete power corrupts obsoletely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/power-corrupts-and-obsolete-power-corrupts-obsoletely/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [I am looking at it from the point of view of a harried user, which I am, and I believe that I am much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/i-am-looking-at-it-from-the-point-of-view-of-a-harried-user-which-i/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [The Web is trivially simple - massively successful and its like Karaoke - anybody can do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/the-web-is-trivially-simple-massively-successful-and-its-like-karaoke/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [So, I was always frustrated having to write and having to cut things. Why should you have to cut anything?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/so-i-was-always-frustrated-having-to-write-and-having-to-cut-things/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [Telling computer guys that they need to have permission to quote things is like having to tell little children about Death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/telling-computer-guys-that-they-need-to-have-permission-to-quote/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [The ideas keep going, you have the material, you cut because there's a limit to the space allowed to you. And the space is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/the-ideas-keep-going-you-have-the-material-you-cut-because-there-s-a/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [In my second year in graduate school, I took a computer course and that was like lightening striking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/in-my-second-year-in-graduate-school-i-took-a-computer-course-and/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [The technicalities matter a lot, but the unifying vision matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/the-technicalities-matter-a-lot-but-the-unifying-vision-matters-more/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [Making things easy is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/making-things-easy-is-hard/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [Project Xanadu is essentially my trademark. It was originally, and has returned to my arms as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/project-xanadu-is-essentially-my-trademark-it-was-originally-and-has/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) > [Everything is deeply intertwingled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/everything-is-deeply-intertwingled/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) [Explore all 49 Ted Nelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) ## More Application quotes > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [Technology means the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/technology-means-the-systematic-application-of-scientific-or-other/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [I've been in real estate for a long time and I always try to stay on the edge. I'm really excited about the partnership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-hammer/i-ve-been-in-real-estate-for-a-long-time-and-i-always-try-to-stay-on/) [MC Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-hammer/) > [If we blow ourselves up we will do it by misapplication of science; if we manage to keep from blowing ourselves up, it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/if-we-blow-ourselves-up-we-will-do-it-by-misapplication-of-science-if/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“...why don't you take a picture of yourself next to a fucking job application? How about that?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-wolf/why-don-t-you-take-a-picture-of-yourself-next-to-a-fucking-job/) Josh Wolf > [Everything for us is a system. We don't think about it discretely as just as a piece of hardware, or discretely as an application...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hosain-rahman/everything-for-us-is-a-system-we-don-t-think-about-it-discretely-as/) [Hosain Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hosain-rahman/) > [To each eye, perhaps, the outlines of a great civilization present a different picture. In the wide ocean upon which we venture, the possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-burckhardt/to-each-eye-perhaps-the-outlines-of-a-great-civilization-present-a/) [Jacob Burckhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-burckhardt/) > [Without application of the mind; there is no drive for taking affirmative action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mercado/without-application-of-the-mind-there-is-no-drive-for-taking/) [Joseph Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mercado/) > [“Having no applicable skills, in any possible area whatsoever, effectively makes me the master of redundancy. But that info is obsolete, like my insults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-advise/having-no-applicable-skills-in-any-possible-area-whatsoever/) Will Advise > [At every juncture, advanced tools have been the key to a new wave of applications, and each wave of applications has been key to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/at-every-juncture-advanced-tools-have-been-the-key-to-a-new-wave-of/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [The effect of the discovery of printing was evident in the savage religious wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Application of power to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-innis/the-effect-of-the-discovery-of-printing-was-evident-in-the-savage/) [Harold Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-innis/) > [As science is more and more subject to grave misuse as well as to use for human benefit it has also become the scientist's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-science-is-more-and-more-subject-to-grave-misuse-as-well-as-to-use/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you ask ... the man in the street ... the human significance of mathematics, the answer of the world will be, that mathematics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassius-jackson-keyser/if-you-ask-the-man-in-the-street-the-human-significance-of/) [Cassius Jackson Keyser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassius-jackson-keyser/) > [Technology, and applications of this technology, will continue to improve and evolve, providing unprecedented, global access to information, individuals, training, and opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-webb/technology-and-applications-of-this-technology-will-continue-to/) [Maynard Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-webb/) Browse all 918 Application quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Right now you are a prisoner of each application you use. 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