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The magpie steals shiny objects for its nest, which seems to give it some reproductive advantage.
I'd say that in western culture, "individualism" is such a shiny thing - a meaningless token that can get you laid.
Eh, when I think of subject I always think of "subject of the Queen" (or King depending on time and country).
Which, I'd say (when you ask "subject to what?") means subject to the will of the Queen (or whatever ruler you pick).
It makes me think of whatever suckers agreed to be part of the psych experiment I'm reading about at the moment.