--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... and the warm air smelled of mildew…" description: "\"“... and the warm air smelled of mildew and some instinct, programmed by all the movies I had ever seen and all the songs I had ever heard sung and all..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/joan-didion-497_new-york-city_and-the-warm-air-smelled-of-mildew-and-s_2723860.jpg" --- # ... and the warm air smelled of mildew and some instinct… ![“... and the warm air smelled of mildew and some instinct, programmed by all the movies I had ever seen and all the songs I had ever heard sung and all the stories I had ever read about New York, informed me that it would never be quite the same again. In fact it never was.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/joan-didion-497_new-york-city_and-the-warm-air-smelled-of-mildew-and-s_2723860.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/joan-didion-497_new-york-city_and-the-warm-air-smelled-of-mildew-and-s_2723860.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cda/joan-didion-497_new-york-city_and-the-warm-air-smelled-of-mildew-and-s_2723860.jpg) > ““... and the warm air smelled of mildew and some instinct, programmed by all the movies I had ever seen and all the songs I had ever heard sung and all the stories I had ever read about New York, informed me that it would never be quite the same again. In fact it never was.”” [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator senses New York's change through sensory memories, shaped by media and stories, realizing permanence is impossible. **In simple terms:** Media and stories shape perception of a changing city. Key Takeaway Accept that places evolve beyond nostalgia. Themes change memory media influence Mood nostalgic thoughtful Type literary reflective When to use this quote - travel writing - urban studies Key Concepts urban transformation cultural narrative personal perception Questions to Reflect On - How do media shape your city memories? - Can you hold onto the past? A Different Perspective Nostalgia can cloud realistic view. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [New york city](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york-city/) ## Related quotes > [“It was not the site of the earth which surprised him – it was the smell. … This earth and air smelled alive. 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