Computers Quote by William S. Burroughs
“If all individuals were conditioned to machine efficiency in the performance of their duties there would have to be at least one person outside the machine to give the necessary orders; if the machine absorbed or eliminated all those outside the machine, the machine will slow down and stop forever.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Naked Lunch, 1959, Book
A society fully automated would need a human to direct it; removing that leads to collapse.
In simple terms: Machines need human guidance; otherwise they fail.
Key Takeaway
Maintain human oversight in systems.
Themes
technology
automation
human agency
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- corporate management
- AI development
- logistics
Key Concepts
systems theory
control loops
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should humans play in AI?
- How to balance efficiency with oversight?
A Different Perspective
May ignore emergent self‑organizing systems.
