--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If all individuals were conditioned to…" description: "\"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 mac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/william-s-burroughs-528_computers_if-all-individuals-were-conditioned-to-m_2431916.jpg" --- # If all individuals were conditioned to machine efficiency… ![“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.” quote by William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/william-s-burroughs-528_computers_if-all-individuals-were-conditioned-to-m_2431916.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/william-s-burroughs-528_computers_if-all-individuals-were-conditioned-to-m_2431916.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/william-s-burroughs-528_computers_if-all-individuals-were-conditioned-to-m_2431916.jpg) > “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.” [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Conditioned Machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditioned-machine-291600/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) [Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individuals Conditioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals-conditioned-291601/) [Machine Absorbed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machine-absorbed-291599/) [Machine Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machine-efficiency-291602/) [Machine Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machine-necessary-291598/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Slow down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slow-down/) ## Related quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. 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