First Paragraph

Bystanders have no history of their own. They are on the stage but are not part of the action. They are not even audience. The fortunes of the play and of every actor in it depend on the audience whereas the reaction of the bystander has no effect except on himself. But standing in the wings - much like the fireman in the theater - the bystander sees things neither the actor nor audience notices. Above all, he sees differently from the way actors or audiences see. Bystanders reflect - and reflection is a prism rather than a mirror; it refracts.

- From Adventures of a Bystander by Peter F. Drucker