You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.
David Foster WallaceRead
What passes for hip cynical transcendence of sentiment is really some kind of fear of being really human, since to be really human [...] is probably to be unavoidably sentimental and naïve and goo-prone and generally pathetic.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the superficial avoidance of genuine human emotions and connections, suggesting that authenticity involves embracing sentimentality.
David Foster Wallace argues that in an effort to appear 'cool' or detached, many people adopt a cynical attitude that actually stems from a fear of vulnerability and genuine humanity. He suggests that true human connection requires us to accept our sentimental side, acknowledging that being emotionally open and even 'naïve' is a fundamental part of the human experience, despite the messiness it entails.
Themes
HumanSentimentCynicismVulnerabilityAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the impact of social media on human emotions.
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