Computers Quote by David Foster Wallace
““The problem is going to be, "Let's see, I spent all day staring at a computer screen and then at night my most meaningful relationships are with the two-dimensional characters who aren't in fact two-dimensional characters . . . Gee, I wonder why I'm lonely and doing a lot of drugs? Could there be any connection between the fact that I've got nothing to do with other people, that I don't really have a fucking clue what it is to have a real life, and the fact that most of my existence is mediated by entertainment that I passively choose to receive?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The David Foster Wallace Archive, 2005
Excessive screen time isolates people, leading to loneliness and a reliance on shallow media for connection.
In simple terms: Too much screen time makes us lonely.
Key Takeaway
Balance digital use with real relationships.
Themes
loneliness
media consumption
mental health
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
self‑reflective
When to use this quote
- daily routines
- social media habits
- friendship building
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
existential anxiety
social isolation
Questions to Reflect On
- What activities replace passive screen time?
- How does media shape your sense of self?
A Different Perspective
Digital connection can also foster community if used mindfully.
