--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to think that the feeling of…" description: "\"I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I would have was just me, but I realise that it's also a symptom of the modern world.\" — Hilton Als" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg" --- # I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I… ![“I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I would have was just me, but I realise that it's also a symptom of the modern world.” quote by Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg) > “I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I would have was just me, but I realise that it's also a symptom of the modern world.” [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The sense of alienation is not only personal but also reflects broader societal forces in contemporary life. **In simple terms:** Alienation is both personal and societal. Key Takeaway Recognize personal feelings as clues to larger social issues. Themes identity society modernity alienation psychology Mood reflective analytical Type observational critical When to use this quote - urban life - workplace - online communities - mental health - activism Key Concepts social alienation collective experience cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How does your personal alienation connect to larger social trends? - What societal changes could reduce collective alienation? A Different Perspective Personal alienation can also stem from individual choices, not just societal structures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alienation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alienation/) [Modern world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A feeling of alienation existed in India about life in Pakistan because most of what was known was negative. So, everyone used to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umera-ahmad/a-feeling-of-alienation-existed-in-india-about-life-in-pakistan/) [Umera Ahmad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umera-ahmad/) > [“Quite often, the consequence of gaining literacy or critical consciousness is alienation not just from the values of the dominant culture, but from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-v-perkins/quite-often-the-consequence-of-gaining-literacy-or-critical/) Margo V. Perkins > [“It interests me that there is no end of fictions, and facts made over in the forms of fictions. Because we class them under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-greif/it-interests-me-that-there-is-no-end-of-fictions-and-facts-made-over/) Mark Greif > [“Your EQ is greatly affected by your ability to keep this road well traveled. The more you think about what you are feeling—and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/your-eq-is-greatly-affected-by-your-ability-to-keep-this-road-well/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“You think I ever stopped wanting to die after the motel?" I ask. "You think a feeling like that just goes away?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/you-think-i-ever-stopped-wanting-to-die-after-the-motel-i-ask-you/) [Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/) > [“You're so privileged to be there, you feel like you have to complain about something just so you don't have to think about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dewoskin/you-re-so-privileged-to-be-there-you-feel-like-you-have-to-complain/) [Rachel DeWoskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dewoskin/) > [“To be happy, I need to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/to-be-happy-i-need-to-think-about-feeling-good-feeling-bad-and/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“I fell into a big pit of black depression. That happens sometimes, when too much shit gets flung at me at once. It's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/i-fell-into-a-big-pit-of-black-depression-that-happens-sometimes-when/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [When I think of you I get this feeling that I want to see you. I miss you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jas-rob/when-i-think-of-you-i-get-this-feeling-that-i-want-to-see-you-i-miss/) Jas&rob > [I don't think about whether it's gonna be a dance record or a ballad or anything when I'm making music. I sit in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-smith/i-don-t-think-about-whether-it-s-gonna-be-a-dance-record-or-a-ballad/) [Sam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-smith/) > [I think if you're feeling great about where you are, everything that led up to it had to be terrific.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-lear/i-think-if-you-re-feeling-great-about-where-you-are-everything-that/) [Norman Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-lear/) > [“It’s one of the best parts of growing up and growing older, I think, that feeling that you’ll just get through one day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/it-s-one-of-the-best-parts-of-growing-up-and-growing-older-i-think/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Many savage nations worship trees, and I really think my first feeling would be one of delight and interest rather than of surprise, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-savage-nations-worship-trees-and-i-really-think-my-first-feeling/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [We think by feeling. What is there to know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roethke/we-think-by-feeling-what-is-there-to-know/) [Theodore Roethke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roethke/) > [“Think of your feeling as a six-year-old child: you want to listen to it, and then you need to be the faith-filled grown-up who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zondervan-publishing/think-of-your-feeling-as-a-six-year-old-child-you-want-to-listen-to/) [Zondervan Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zondervan-publishing/) ## More by Hilton Als > [Challenging is good, like good conversation, yes? Who wants to have dinner with the same old easy listening music sounding friends all the time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/challenging-is-good-like-good-conversation-yes-who-wants-to-have/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think someone like Khandi Alexander, who's now on 'Treme,' is one of the most extraordinary actresses I've seen in years. But she's dependent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-someone-like-khandi-alexander-who-s-now-on-treme-is-one-of/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I have not seen 'The Lion King.' I don't do black folklore. And I'm black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-have-not-seen-the-lion-king-i-don-t-do-black-folklore-and-i-m-black/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think you're not really teaching anyone unless you're learning yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-you-re-not-really-teaching-anyone-unless-you-re-learning/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I used to always love taking photos, but I would always give a camera away to someone else. Now I don't give the camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-always-love-taking-photos-but-i-would-always-give-a-camera/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [If I feel like I haven't really tapped into the essence of the story when I do an assignment, I may revisit it on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/if-i-feel-like-i-haven-t-really-tapped-into-the-essence-of-the-story/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Inspiration takes many forms, but it's rarely pure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/inspiration-takes-many-forms-but-it-s-rarely-pure/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Great sadness can be off putting, hard to comprehend, especially if it hasn't been your experience. It's amazing for me to know now that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/great-sadness-can-be-off-putting-hard-to-comprehend-especially-if-it/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think that Tyler Perry's genius really has been to tap into the domestic market. He knows what his audience is based on, having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-that-tyler-perry-s-genius-really-has-been-to-tap-into-the/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I love Andre Leon Talley as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-love-andre-leon-talley-as-a-person/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I thought of the structure as musical. The first piece, for instance, contains the names/subject matter of every person to come in the book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-thought-of-the-structure-as-musical-the-first-piece-for-instance/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [People have a copyright on their own life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/people-have-a-copyright-on-their-own-life/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [People are quick to make monuments of anything they live long enough to control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/people-are-quick-to-make-monuments-of-anything-they-live-long-enough/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Racism seduces us with its desire to categorize, shutting out the living and breathing and 'different' world all around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/racism-seduces-us-with-its-desire-to-categorize-shutting-out-the/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I was so well loved by my mother that if people have any expectations of me I really don't notice because I'm hardest on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-was-so-well-loved-by-my-mother-that-if-people-have-any-expectations/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) [Explore all 88 Hilton Als quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) ## More Alienation quotes > [ Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… \[The anthropologist\] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-an-intense-fascinated/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [“Everyone who lived in high-up, magical places must feel the same way. You come down into the world and you mingle, but all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjum-hasan/everyone-who-lived-in-high-up-magical-places-must-feel-the-same-way/) Arjum Hasan > [“If his long day were lived in a European novel, he'd become "D" when on the run or near disappeared.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kudera/if-his-long-day-were-lived-in-a-european-novel-he-d-become-d-when-on/) [Alex Kudera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kudera/) > [Perhaps a creature of so much ingenuity and deep memory is almost bound to grow alienated from his world, his fellows, and the objects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-eiseley/perhaps-a-creature-of-so-much-ingenuity-and-deep-memory-is-almost/) [Loren Eiseley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-eiseley/) > [“She would not say of anyone in the world now that they were this or were that. She felt very young; at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/she-would-not-say-of-anyone-in-the-world-now-that-they-were-this-or/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Holidays are in no sense an alternative to the congestion and bustle of the cities and work. Quite the contrary. People look to escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/holidays-are-in-no-sense-an-alternative-to-the-congestion-and-bustle/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [The universe must be experienced as the Great Self. Each is fulfilled in the other: the Great Self is fulfilled in the individual self,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berry/the-universe-must-be-experienced-as-the-great-self-each-is-fulfilled/) [Thomas Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berry/) > [“We are accustomed to think of ourselves as a great democratic body, linked by common ties of blood and language, united indissolubly by all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/we-are-accustomed-to-think-of-ourselves-as-a-great-democratic-body/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“Alienation produces eccentrics or revolutionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/alienation-produces-eccentrics-or-revolutionary/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“A consequence of this alienation of humans from their own nature is that they are also alienated from each other. Productive activity becomes ‘activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/a-consequence-of-this-alienation-of-humans-from-their-own-nature-is/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [I feel what they feel: man-hating, that volatile admixture of pity, contempt, disgust, envy, alienation, fear, and rage at men. It is hatred not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-levine/i-feel-what-they-feel-man-hating-that-volatile-admixture-of-pity/) Judith Levine > [Part of the gestation of 'The Wall' was this business of alienation from the audience, and so the interesting thing was, what 'The Wall'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-mason/part-of-the-gestation-of-the-wall-was-this-business-of-alienation/) [Nick Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-mason/) > [“Most of her friends owned laptops and seemed to spend more time with their phones than anything else. Steffy kept her latest playlists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-allison-parker/most-of-her-friends-owned-laptops-and-seemed-to-spend-more-time-with/) [Jaime Allison Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-allison-parker/) > [The number one problem in our world is alienation, rich versus poor, black versus white, labor versus management, conservative versus liberal, East versus West…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-number-one-problem-in-our-world-is-alienation-rich-versus-poor/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [What unites Trump's voters is a sense of alienation from America's wealthy and powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance-2/what-unites-trump-s-voters-is-a-sense-of-alienation-from-america-s/) [J. D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance-2/) [Browse all 392 Alienation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alienation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I would have was just me, but I realise that it's also a symptom of the modern world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hilton Als" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alienation-that-i-would-have-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alienation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alienation-that-i-would-have-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f19/hilton-als-7671_alienation_i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alie_2541752.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to think that the feeling of alienation that I would have was just me, but I realise that it's also a…” — Hilton Als", "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": "Hilton Als", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to think that the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alienation-that-i-would-have-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-think-that-the-feeling-of-alienation-that-i-would-have-was/#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 } } ] } ```