This quote invites a profound reflection on the paradoxical role of prohibition and societal norms in shaping our desires. Traditionally, laws and restrictions are seen as boundaries that limit our freedom; however, Žižek suggests that the absence or failure of these laws can paradoxically lead to a universal prohibition. The concept of the superego in psychoanalysis embodies the internalized voice of societal expectations and moral standards. When it unpredictably commands us to enjoy, it creates an obscene injunction—an irritant that fosters anxiety rather than pleasure.

In contemporary society, especially considering media, consumerism, and social pressures, the drive to enjoy has become a kind of mandate. Yet, continuously striving to fulfill this injunction often results in frustration and a sense of alienation. The real challenge isn’t overcoming inhibitions to enjoy freely but disentangling ourselves from the internalized commands that tell us we must enjoy—a task that requires re-evaluating our relationship with desire, pleasure, and societal expectations.

This perspective is compelling because it highlights how modern preoccupations with pleasure can be more constraining than traditional inhibitions. It suggests that liberation lies not in eliminating rules but in recognizing and resisting the internalized commands to enjoy, which are rooted in the societal structures we often take as natural. This quote ultimately urges a critical awareness of how societal norms shape our desires, advocating for a conscious critique of the injunctions to enjoy that limit authentic personal freedom and spontaneous pleasure.