I think most here would not define an RC as something you do while awake. It is a test that you perform to (help to) determine your state.

I agree generally with the gist of this chapter, though: 1) it's all about (self) awareness; 2) never assume you're awake; 3) it's the awareness that gets you lucid, not the RC.

However, RCs have their good points:1) they're fast to do, and if you're lucky, there's one for you that always works. Nose plug has never failed for me, and has saved a few LDs, and brought me more into the dream in a few. But mostly the awareness preceeds the RC, yes.