--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The vast wasteland of television…" description: "\"“The vast wasteland of television programming had finally reached its zenith, and the average person was no longer limited to fifteen minutes of fame.”..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png" --- # The vast wasteland of television programming had finally… ![“The vast wasteland of television programming had finally reached its zenith, and the average person was no longer limited to fifteen minutes of fame.” quote by Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png) > ““The vast wasteland of television programming had finally reached its zenith, and the average person was no longer limited to fifteen minutes of fame.”” [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mass media saturation makes fame fleeting and ubiquitous, reducing its value and impact on individuals. **In simple terms:** Too much TV makes fame cheap. Key Takeaway Recognize and seek deeper, lasting achievements. Themes media saturation celebrity culture attention economy Mood cynical reflective Type observational critical When to use this quote - career planning - personal branding - media consumption - creative projects Key Concepts digital overload social validation cultural homogenization Questions to Reflect On - How does constant media exposure affect personal ambition? - What can individuals do to create lasting impact? A Different Perspective Even with endless exposure, meaningful recognition still requires genuine contribution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-person/) [Fifteen Minutes Of Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifteen-minutes-of-fame/) [Finally Reached](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finally-reached-403286/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Reached Zenith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reached-zenith-3648557/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Television Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-programming-1055451/) [Vast Wasteland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vast-wasteland-3648559/) [Wasteland Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasteland-television-3648558/) ## Related quotes > [Television is a vast wasteland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newton-n-minow/television-is-a-vast-wasteland/) [Newton N. Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newton-n-minow/) > [“Key element of television programming, the characters must watch the programming themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moonn-tzu/key-element-of-television-programming-the-characters-must-watch-the/) [Moonn Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moonn-tzu/) > [You have to watch CNN, MSNBC, Fox and then the local news and then Al Jazeera. The truth is somewhere in the middle, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/you-have-to-watch-cnn-msnbc-fox-and-then-the-local-news-and-then-al/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [ The curse of television \[is\] the programming department-all trained to look for the same kind of show. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-brodkin/the-curse-of-television-is-the-programming-department-all-trained-to/) [Herbert Brodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-brodkin/) > [“Much of television programming--mind-numbing talk shows, soap operas, and reality TV--should come with a disclaimer: 'Warning: Watching the following program is likely to stunt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-seay/much-of-television-programming-mind-numbing-talk-shows-soap-operas/) [Chris Seay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-seay/) > [American families want high-quality children's television programming. Unfortunately, due to outdated rules, broadcasters are hamstrung from meeting market demand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-rielly/american-families-want-high-quality-children-s-television-programming/) [Michael O'Rielly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-rielly/) > [When I was 22, I finally reached that huge goal. Now I'm going for another one. It's so satisfying. It's something that I worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-horton/when-i-was-22-i-finally-reached-that-huge-goal-now-i-m-going-for/) [Jonathan Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-horton/) > [After years of finding mathematics easy, I finally reached integral calculus and came up against a barrier. I realized that this was as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/after-years-of-finding-mathematics-easy-i-finally-reached-integral/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [I finally reached the conclusion that mathematics was the study I was best fitted to follow, though I did not clearly see in what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-newcomb/i-finally-reached-the-conclusion-that-mathematics-was-the-study-i-was/) [Simon Newcomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-newcomb/) > [I think that I finally reached the pinnacle. Finding myself as an individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/i-think-that-i-finally-reached-the-pinnacle-finding-myself-as-an/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [After what seemed like an eternity, we finally reached the summit just as the sun was rising. I couldn't believe that we had actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hsieh/after-what-seemed-like-an-eternity-we-finally-reached-the-summit-just/) [Tony Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hsieh/) > [“And now it is time for my story to end, because we have finally reached the beginning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-flohr/and-now-it-is-time-for-my-story-to-end-because-we-have-finally/) [Caroline Flohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-flohr/) > [I finally reached the point where I knew I had to become involved or shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/i-finally-reached-the-point-where-i-knew-i-had-to-become-involved-or/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [I've finally reached a stage in my career where I can do what I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/i-ve-finally-reached-a-stage-in-my-career-where-i-can-do-what-i-want/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [It's neat to have finally reached a point where I can accept what I was and what I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-ian/it-s-neat-to-have-finally-reached-a-point-where-i-can-accept-what-i/) [Janis Ian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-ian/) ## More by Ernest Cline > [“Halliday’s favorites, like WarGames, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, Better Off Dead, or Revenge of the Nerds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/halliday-s-favorites-like-wargames-ghostbusters-real-genius-better/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Ray seemed to subsist primarily on a diet of high-fructose junk food and old videogames. It was hard not to love the guy. Back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/ray-seemed-to-subsist-primarily-on-a-diet-of-high-fructose-junk-food/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Besides, what if BSG and Firefly took place in the same universe? You ever consider that?” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/besides-what-if-bsg-and-firefly-took-place-in-the-same-universe-you/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [My characters are all kind of geek archetypes of people I've encountered at gaming and comic book conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/my-characters-are-all-kind-of-geek-archetypes-of-people-i-ve/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-understood-her-trusted-her-and-loved-her-as-a-dear-friend-none-of/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Dilettantes,’ Art3mis said. ‘It’s their own fault for not knowing all the Schoolhouse Rock! lyrics by heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/dilettantes-art3mis-said-it-s-their-own-fault-for-not-knowing-all-the/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I've heard Stephen King say that when you write a novel you end up revealing everything about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-ve-heard-stephen-king-say-that-when-you-write-a-novel-you-end-up/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [Everybody uses pop culture as a shorthand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/everybody-uses-pop-culture-as-a-shorthand/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Something Daito had left to me in his will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/something-daito-had-left-to-me-in-his-will/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [The clans began to bombard the outer force field with rockets, missiles, nukes, and harsh language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-clans-began-to-bombard-the-outer-force-field-with-rockets/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“tried to keep my cool. I tried to remain skeptical. I reminded myself that I was a man of science, even if I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/tried-to-keep-my-cool-i-tried-to-remain-skeptical-i-reminded-myself/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I notice when I'm at a party where I don't know anybody - even if I have nothing in common with somebody - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-notice-when-i-m-at-a-party-where-i-don-t-know-anybody-even-if-i/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Not trusting my instincts any further, I loaded up a piece of high-end avatar dance software called Travoltra, which I’d downloaded and tested earlier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/not-trusting-my-instincts-any-further-i-loaded-up-a-piece-of-high-end/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I burned through all of my extra lives in a matter of minutes, and my two least-favorite words appeared on the screen: GAME OVER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-burned-through-all-of-my-extra-lives-in-a-matter-of-minutes-and-my/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) [Explore all 184 Ernest Cline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## More Average person quotes > [“She'd always been a little excitable, a little more passionate about books than your average person, but she was supposed to be -- she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/she-d-always-been-a-little-excitable-a-little-more-passionate-about/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [I feel like what motivates me is what would motivate the regular average person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-nasty/i-feel-like-what-motivates-me-is-what-would-motivate-the-regular/) [Rico Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-nasty/) > [We're trying to do something so that when the average person uses Pinterest, it has to make the service better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-silbermann/we-re-trying-to-do-something-so-that-when-the-average-person-uses/) [Ben Silbermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-silbermann/) > [My dad was not a footballer. He wasn't anything remotely what the average person would say was a role model - but in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-deeney/my-dad-was-not-a-footballer-he-wasn-t-anything-remotely-what-the/) [Troy Deeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-deeney/) > [The harsh truth is that Trump is a living co-morbidity, he's over 70, out of shape, eats terribly and doesn't believe in science. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/the-harsh-truth-is-that-trump-is-a-living-co-morbidity-he-s-over-70/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [The average person would have quit at the first failure. That’s why there have been many average men and only one Edison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-average-person-would-have-quit-at-the-first-failure-that-s-why/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [There's barely any aspect of our modern lives that hasn't had a mathematical contribution at some point and yet, if you asked the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-fry/there-s-barely-any-aspect-of-our-modern-lives-that-hasn-t-had-a/) [Hannah Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-fry/) > [I'd like to think that maybe the average person is rational, and they realise that I'm not this crazy monster that, at times, I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-arthur/i-d-like-to-think-that-maybe-the-average-person-is-rational-and-they/) [James Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-arthur/) > [I know about Woodstock probably as much as your average person who is over 30, where I'd know Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-know-about-woodstock-probably-as-much-as-your-average-person-who-is/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [I get a little angry about this highhanded scrapping of the look of things. What else have we to go by? How else can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-culkin-banning/i-get-a-little-angry-about-this-highhanded-scrapping-of-the-look-of/) [Margaret Culkin Banning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-culkin-banning/) > [If ergonomists have their way, future products won't be built for some hypothetical average person but will conform to the biomechanical needs of whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/if-ergonomists-have-their-way-future-products-won-t-be-built-for-some/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [My mother got sick when I was rich. And my mother, you know … I don’t really want to get into it, but my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/my-mother-got-sick-when-i-was-rich-and-my-mother-you-know-i-don-t/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [To measure your needs by that which is projected via mass media is a mistake that has no mercy. The average person views a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haki-r-madhubuti/to-measure-your-needs-by-that-which-is-projected-via-mass-media-is-a/) [Haki R. Madhubuti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haki-r-madhubuti/) > [We want the average person to use it and think that it makes the experience of using Pinterest better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-silbermann/we-want-the-average-person-to-use-it-and-think-that-it-makes-the/) [Ben Silbermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-silbermann/) > [Some of the downbeat pictures, in my opinion, should never be made at all. Most of them are made for personal satisfaction, to impress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-day/some-of-the-downbeat-pictures-in-my-opinion-should-never-be-made-at/) [Doris Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-day/) [Browse all 443 Average person quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-person/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The vast wasteland of television programming had finally reached its zenith, and the average person was no longer limited to fifteen minutes of fame.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ernest Cline" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-vast-wasteland-of-television-programming-had-finally-reached-its/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Average person" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-vast-wasteland-of-television-programming-had-finally-reached-its/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ca/ernest-cline-1857_average-person_the-vast-wasteland-of-television-program_2019212.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The vast wasteland of television programming had finally reached its zenith, and the average person was no…” — Ernest Cline", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ernest Cline", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The vast wasteland of television programming...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-vast-wasteland-of-television-programming-had-finally-reached-its/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-vast-wasteland-of-television-programming-had-finally-reached-its/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```