Currents Quote by George Saunders
![“In real life, when you have an emotional experience, it's never just because of the thing that's been said. There's the backstory. It's like [Ernest] Hemingway's iceberg theory - the current emotional moment is the tip of the iceberg and all of the past is the seven-eighths of the iceberg that's…” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/999/george-saunders-317_currents_in-real-life-when-you-have-an-emotional_2358315.jpg)
“In real life, when you have an emotional experience, it's never just because of the thing that's been said. There's the backstory. It's like [Ernest] Hemingway's iceberg theory - the current emotional moment is the tip of the iceberg and all of the past is the seven-eighths of the iceberg that's underwater.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Iceberg Theory of Emotion", The New Yorker, 2018
Emotions stem from deep, unseen histories, not just immediate words; context shapes feeling.
In simple terms: Emotions are shaped by hidden past experiences.
Key Takeaway
Consider underlying stories behind reactions.
Themes
psychology
communication
empathy
Mood
reflective
insightful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- writing
- therapy
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
iceberg theory
contextual emotion
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden narratives affect your feelings?
- How can you uncover the 'iceberg' in conversations?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring backstory leads to misinterpretation.
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
