"They simply don't know that much about what they're doing. There isn't enough control. There isn't enough capability in ordinary people to tinker with such a complicated piece of machinery"

David R. Brower was a prominent environmentalist and the very first Executive Director of the Sierra Club, and his quote reflects a deep uncertainty toward human attempts to manage complicated systems, especially those involving nature or innovation. In evaluating this quote, numerous themes emerge that show Brower's point of view.

Firstly, there is an obvious critique of human hubris. Brower suggests that people frequently overstate their understanding and control over intricate systems, whether these are environmental systems, technological constructs, or social mechanisms. The "complicated piece of equipment" can be translated metaphorically to represent environments, nuclear reactor, and even the totality of the world's environmental systems that humans have actually attempted to control or handle.

Brower uses the expression "regular people" to suggest that the decision-makers or those responsible for handling these complex systems might not possess the necessary knowledge or insight. This is not necessarily a slight versus all individuals however rather points to the restrictions fundamental in human cognition and existing technological ability when confronted with elaborately interconnected systems.

Additionally, the quote highlights an absence of appropriate control and ability. In an ecological context, this is a care versus the unintended repercussions of human actions, such as contamination, logging, and climate change. Brower's option of words suggests an immediate requirement for humbleness, care, and a deeper understanding of the systems we look for to manage. This lines up with the more comprehensive environmentalist ethos that promotes for precaution in the face of unpredictability and intricacy.

Finally, Brower's declaration is also a call for collective awareness and duty. It accentuates the requirement for increased education, the advancement of competence, and a more thoughtful engagement with the natural world. In sum, the quote functions as a warning about the restrictions of human ability and the prospective dangers of overconfidence in our technological and environmental interventions.