--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was as if the sensory overload that is…" description: "\"It was as if the sensory overload that is American life had somehow led to sensory deprivation, a gilded weariness, where everything is permitted and n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-maarten-troost-23088_american-life_it-was-as-if-the-sensory-overload-that-i_3038043.png" --- # It was as if the sensory overload that is American life… ![“It was as if the sensory overload that is American life had somehow led to sensory deprivation, a gilded weariness, where everything is permitted and nothing appreciated.” quote by J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-maarten-troost-23088_american-life_it-was-as-if-the-sensory-overload-that-i_3038043.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-maarten-troost-23088_american-life_it-was-as-if-the-sensory-overload-that-i_3038043.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-maarten-troost-23088_american-life_it-was-as-if-the-sensory-overload-that-i_3038043.png) > “It was as if the sensory overload that is American life had somehow led to sensory deprivation, a gilded weariness, where everything is permitted and nothing appreciated.” [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American abundance creates a paradox of overstimulation and emptiness, leading to a hollow sense of entitlement. **In simple terms:** Too much stimulation leads to emptiness. Key Takeaway Seek depth over excess. Themes consumerism alienation modernity Mood cynical reflective Type observational critical When to use this quote - travel writing - personal reflection - social commentary Key Concepts paradox sensory overload cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How does abundance affect your sense of meaning? - What can restore appreciation in daily life? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize American experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-life/) [Deprivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deprivation/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sensory deprivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensory-deprivation/) [Weariness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weariness/) ## Related quotes > [Life has become a state of sensory overload.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-curiale/life-has-become-a-state-of-sensory-overload/) [Joseph Curiale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-curiale/) > [You can't punish a child who is acting out because of sensory overload.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/you-can-t-punish-a-child-who-is-acting-out-because-of-sensory-overload/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [It takes nothing to get me to sensory overload.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pronger/it-takes-nothing-to-get-me-to-sensory-overload/) [Chris Pronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pronger/) > [Our world is so bursting-full of natural wonder that we are all experiencing a sensory overload. We are no longer perceiving all of Ú…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/our-world-is-so-bursting-full-of-natural-wonder-that-we-are-all/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“When there is a lot of information bombarding us all at once, such as the sounds, movements and smells of several people, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-berry/when-there-is-a-lot-of-information-bombarding-us-all-at-once-such-as/) [Kevin Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-berry/) > [Predating the Internet and predating videos, you had an active imagination. You would hear sounds and then get mental pictures of what these sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/predating-the-internet-and-predating-videos-you-had-an-active/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [On the road, it's constant sensory overload, and it's easy to lose track of days and time and to get caught up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-ragan/on-the-road-it-s-constant-sensory-overload-and-it-s-easy-to-lose/) [Chuck Ragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-ragan/) > [I know of several children and adults (with Asperger’s Syndrome) who have reported a considerable reduction in visual sensitivity and sensory overload when wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-attwood/i-know-of-several-children-and-adults-with-asperger-s-syndrome-who/) [Tony Attwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-attwood/) > [I have, like, sensory overload problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-michaels/i-have-like-sensory-overload-problems/) [Julia Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-michaels/) > [“Sensory overload is our biggest struggle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/sensory-overload-is-our-biggest-struggle/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I want to prove that Holst's 'The Planets' can be as much of a sensory overload as a concert by the Grateful Dead, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hazlewood/i-want-to-prove-that-holst-s-the-planets-can-be-as-much-of-a-sensory/) [Charles Hazlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hazlewood/) > [In Finland in the winter, when the sky is totally choked with clouds, the country becomes one big sensory deprivation tank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-platt/in-finland-in-the-winter-when-the-sky-is-totally-choked-with-clouds/) [Charles Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-platt/) > [The sensory deprivation chamber has been the most important tool that I've ever used for developing my mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/the-sensory-deprivation-chamber-has-been-the-most-important-tool-that/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [Something amazing happens when the rest of the world is sleeping. I am glued to my chair. I forget that I ever wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fadiman/something-amazing-happens-when-the-rest-of-the-world-is-sleeping-i-am/) [Anne Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fadiman/) > [It should surprise no one that the life of the writer - such as it is - is colorless to the point of sensory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/it-should-surprise-no-one-that-the-life-of-the-writer-such-as-it-is/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) ## More by J. Maarten Troost > [“The longer we spent on Tarawa the more Sylvia and I came to realize that to live on Tarawa is to experience a visceral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/the-longer-we-spent-on-tarawa-the-more-sylvia-and-i-came-to-realize/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“When it comes to naming things, vanity and flattery are dull motivations best suited for deciding on a child’s middle name. Much more interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/when-it-comes-to-naming-things-vanity-and-flattery-are-dull/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [Like many air travelers, I am aware that airplanes fly aided by capricious fairies and invisible strings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/like-many-air-travelers-i-am-aware-that-airplanes-fly-aided-by/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“Christopher Hitchens once said that he drinks “because it makes other people less boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/christopher-hitchens-once-said-that-he-drinks-because-it-makes-other/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“for what is life, a good life, but the accumulation of small pleasures?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/for-what-is-life-a-good-life-but-the-accumulation-of-small-pleasures/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [I was simply restless, quite likely because of a dissatisfaction with the recent trajectory of my life, and if there is a better, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/i-was-simply-restless-quite-likely-because-of-a-dissatisfaction-with/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“It was, to reiterate, to stress, to accentuate the point, to leave no doubt, hot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/it-was-to-reiterate-to-stress-to-accentuate-the-point-to-leave-no/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“Look for a wave shaped like an A. An A . Hmm. I saw Zs and H's and Vs . I saw the Hindi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/look-for-a-wave-shaped-like-an-a-an-a-hmm-i-saw-zs-and-h-s-and-vs-i/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [Personally I regard idling as a virtue, but civilized society holds otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/personally-i-regard-idling-as-a-virtue-but-civilized-society-holds/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [Like many highly educated people, I didn't have much in the way of actual skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/like-many-highly-educated-people-i-didn-t-have-much-in-the-way-of/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“It is an unfortunate reality for innate idlers that our modern world requires one to hold a job to maintain a sustainable existence. Idling,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/it-is-an-unfortunate-reality-for-innate-idlers-that-our-modern-world/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“Seriously. There were three of them, all roughly in their thirties, and they spent their time traveling the world, putting together documentaries about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/seriously-there-were-three-of-them-all-roughly-in-their-thirties-and/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“I made arrangements with Bitaki, a teammate on the soccer team I played with, to go fishing with his brothers, who typically worked the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/i-made-arrangements-with-bitaki-a-teammate-on-the-soccer-team-i/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [“i'm off to an island nation where formal wear consists of a leaf tired around a penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/i-m-off-to-an-island-nation-where-formal-wear-consists-of-a-leaf/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) > [It is often said that Americans have no sense of history. Ask a college student who Jimmy Carter was and they will likely reply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-maarten-troost/it-is-often-said-that-americans-have-no-sense-of-history-ask-a/) [J. Maarten Troost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) [Explore all 26 J. Maarten Troost quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-maarten-troost/) ## More American life quotes > [“As we look over the list of the early leaders of the republic, Washington, John Adams, Hamilton, and others, we discern that they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-truslow-adams/as-we-look-over-the-list-of-the-early-leaders-of-the-republic/) [James Truslow Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-truslow-adams/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'm Mexican-American, but I grew up with a normal American life. I don't have a low rider. I drive a Honda. I guess I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snow-tha-product/i-m-mexican-american-but-i-grew-up-with-a-normal-american-life-i-don/) [Snow Tha Product](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snow-tha-product/) > [“The line in the sand that Carter drew along Iran’s Zagros Mountains now stretches from Central Asia through the Middle East and across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-j-bacevich/the-line-in-the-sand-that-carter-drew-along-iran-s-zagros-mountains/) [Andrew J. Bacevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-j-bacevich/) > [Vanity Fair has but two major articles in its editorial creed: first, to believe in the progress and promise of American life, and, second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-crowninshield/vanity-fair-has-but-two-major-articles-in-its-editorial-creed-first/) [Frank Crowninshield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-crowninshield/) > [“The historical periods I like to learn about aren’t so much costume dramas as slasher flicks. The French Revolution is a favorite because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/the-historical-periods-i-like-to-learn-about-aren-t-so-much-costume/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [One of the manifestations of depression for me is that I lose my will. And I thereby lose my ability to focus. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/one-of-the-manifestations-of-depression-for-me-is-that-i-lose-my-will/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [“Football combines two of the worst things in American life. It is violence punctuated by committee meetings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/football-combines-two-of-the-worst-things-in-american-life-it-is/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [I produced a play in New York that got nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best American Play.The play is called Stalking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-richman/i-produced-a-play-in-new-york-that-got-nominated-for-an-outer-critics/) [Adam Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-richman/) > [The final test of Afro-American studies will be the extent to which they rid the minds of whites and blacks alike of false learning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-saunders-redding/the-final-test-of-afro-american-studies-will-be-the-extent-to-which/) [Jay Saunders Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-saunders-redding/) > [In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive study of religion in American life was undertaken by the Gallup organization. The results…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/in-the-decade-of-the-1980s-a-massive-and-comprehensive-study-of/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Envy is the central fact of American life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/envy-is-the-central-fact-of-american-life/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [A trillion dollars spent, 2,000 American lives lost - Afghanistan is the longest war in American history. But you don't hear a word about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-baumgartner/a-trillion-dollars-spent-2-000-american-lives-lost-afghanistan-is-the/) [Michael Baumgartner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-baumgartner/) > [Crime and the fear of crime have permeated the fabric of American life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/crime-and-the-fear-of-crime-have-permeated-the-fabric-of-american-life/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) [Browse all 344 American life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was as if the sensory overload that is American life had somehow led to sensory deprivation, a gilded weariness, where everything is permitted and nothing appreciated.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. 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