--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As it happens I am comfortable with the…" description: "\"“As it happens I am comfortable with the Michael Laskis of this world, with those who live outside rather than in, those in whom the sense of dread is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df5/joan-didion-497_faith-in-god_as-it-happens-i-am-comfortable-with-the_311780.jpg" --- # As it happens I am comfortable with the Michael Laskis of… ![“As it happens I am comfortable with the Michael Laskis of this world, with those who live outside rather than in, those in whom the sense of dread is so acute that they turn to extreme and doomed commitments; I know something about dread myself, and appreciate the elaborate systems with which some…” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df5/joan-didion-497_faith-in-god_as-it-happens-i-am-comfortable-with-the_311780.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df5/joan-didion-497_faith-in-god_as-it-happens-i-am-comfortable-with-the_311780.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df5/joan-didion-497_faith-in-god_as-it-happens-i-am-comfortable-with-the_311780.jpg) > ““As it happens I am comfortable with the Michael Laskis of this world, with those who live outside rather than in, those in whom the sense of dread is so acute that they turn to extreme and doomed commitments; I know something about dread myself, and appreciate the elaborate systems with which some people manage to fill the void, appreciate all the opiates of the people, whether they are as accessible as alcohol and heroin and promiscuity or as hard to come by as faith in God or History.”” [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. Didion reflects on how people cope with profound dread by turning to extreme, often destructive, habits or beliefs, highlighting the human need to fill existential emptiness. **In simple terms:** People use extreme habits to fill inner emptiness. Key Takeaway Recognize healthy coping, avoid harmful extremes. Themes dread coping mechanisms existential void addiction faith Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type essay analytical When to use this quote - personal crisis - addiction recovery - spiritual seeking - political activism - creative expression Key Concepts psychology philosophy social critique Questions to Reflect On - What healthy practices can replace destructive habits? - How does community support mitigate existential dread? A Different Perspective The view may generalize all coping as extreme, ignoring nuanced personal resilience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-in-god/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [I know something about dread myself, and appreciate the elaborate systems with which some people fill the void, appreciate all the opiates of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-know-something-about-dread-myself-and-appreciate-the-elaborate/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [ A TV show where all of the characters are trying to figure out what's going on, and the suspense of that, fits my \[voice\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-night-shyamalan/a-tv-show-where-all-of-the-characters-are-trying-to-figure-out-what-s/) [M. 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