---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk…"
description: "\"“Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock, disgust, outrage, censorship, acc..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/david-foster-wallace-161_rebels_real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-dis_2791045.jpg"
---

#  Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The…

![“Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock, disgust, outrage, censorship, accusations of socialism, anarchism, nihilism. Today’s risks are different. The new rebels might be artists willing to risk the yawn, the rolled eyes…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/david-foster-wallace-161_rebels_real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-dis_2791045.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/david-foster-wallace-161_rebels_real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-dis_2791045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/david-foster-wallace-161_rebels_real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-dis_2791045.jpg)

> ““Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock, disgust, outrage, censorship, accusations of socialism, anarchism, nihilism. Today’s risks are different. The new rebels might be artists willing to risk the yawn, the rolled eyes, the cool smile, the nudged ribs, the parody of gifted ironists, the “Oh how banal.” To risk accusations of sentimentality, melodrama. Of overcredulity. Of softness. Of willingness to be suckered by a world of lurkers and starers who fear gaze and ridicule above imprisonment without law. Who knows.””

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He contrasts past radical dissent with modern subtle rebellion, where risk now lies in being perceived as sentimental or soft rather than overtly radical.

**In simple terms:** Modern rebels risk being seen as soft or sentimental.

Key Takeaway

Recognize subtle forms of dissent.

Themes

culture art social critique

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

- creative work
- social media commentary
- artistic expression
- public discourse

Key Concepts

postmodernism soft power censorship

Questions to Reflect On

- What counts as meaningful rebellion today?
- How does softness challenge authority?

A Different Perspective

Subtle rebellion may be dismissed as insignificant.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[New Rebels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-rebels-3380061/) [Postmodern Insurgents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/postmodern-insurgents-3380060/) [Real Rebels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-rebels-1555634/) [Rebels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebels/) [Rebels Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebels-artists-3380062/)

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