--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Addictions [...] started out like magical…" description: "\"Addictions [...] started out like magical pets, pocket monsters. They did extraordinary tricks, showed you things you hadn't seen, were fun. But came, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/william-gibson-642_addiction_addictions-started-out-like-magical-pets_1311461.png" --- # Addictions \[...\] started out like magical pets, pocket… ![“Addictions [...] started out like magical pets, pocket monsters. They did extraordinary tricks, showed you things you hadn't seen, were fun. But came, through some gradual dire alchemy, to make decisions for you. Eventually, they were making your most crucial life-decisions. And they were [...]…” quote by William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/william-gibson-642_addiction_addictions-started-out-like-magical-pets_1311461.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/william-gibson-642_addiction_addictions-started-out-like-magical-pets_1311461.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e82/william-gibson-642_addiction_addictions-started-out-like-magical-pets_1311461.png) > “Addictions \[...\] started out like magical pets, pocket monsters. They did extraordinary tricks, showed you things you hadn't seen, were fun. But came, through some gradual dire alchemy, to make decisions for you. Eventually, they were making your most crucial life-decisions. And they were \[...\] less intelligent than goldfish.” [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Addictions begin as entertaining distractions that later dominate decision‑making, reducing autonomy. **In simple terms:** Fun habits can become controlling forces. Key Takeaway Recognize and limit addictive influences early. Themes addiction control autonomy technology psychology Mood reflective cautious Type cautionary insightful When to use this quote - personal relationships - career choices - financial decisions - health habits Key Concepts behavioral economics neuroscience digital media Questions to Reflect On - What habits feel like fun but limit your freedom? - How can you reclaim agency over decisions? A Different Perspective Addictions may also provide short‑term relief, complicating withdrawal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Addictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addictions/) [Addictions Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addictions-started-4341352/) [Alchemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alchemy/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decisions Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decisions-intelligent-4341355/) [Extraordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extraordinary/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Goldfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goldfish/) [Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent/) [Intelligent Goldfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent-goldfish-4341353/) [Life decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-decision/) [Magical Pets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magical-pets-4341354/) [Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsters/) [Pet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet/) [Pockets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pockets/) [Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tricks/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. 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You have to follow your heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hill/when-you-re-a-background-singer-you-re-there-to-support-the-artist/) [Judith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hill/) > [It's the story of my life. You see, the quality of any advice anybody has to offer has to be judged against the quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/it-s-the-story-of-my-life-you-see-the-quality-of-any-advice-anybody/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) ## More by William Gibson > [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. 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It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) [Robbin Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbin-crosby/) > [“The idea that creative endeavor and mind-altering substances are entwined is one of the great pop-intellectual myths of our time... Creative people probably do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-idea-that-creative-endeavor-and-mind-altering-substances-are/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-irsay/i-really-think-the-disease-aspect-gets-lost-when-you-re-talking-about/) [Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/) > [I had an addiction to artificial points of success. 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The great addiction of the civilized world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/oil-the-great-addiction-of-the-civilized-world/) [Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/) > [“They say when you fall in love in love with someone that person becomes like a drug,an addiction you don't want to live without.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-when-you-fall-in-love-in-love-with-someone-that-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. 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