--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is what drives me crazy whenever I…" description: "\"“This is what drives me crazy whenever I hear people say things like, \"Ask the universe for what you want, and you'll get it,\" why I fucking hated that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/joel-derfner-43647_books_this-is-what-drives-me-crazy-whenever-i_2994135.jpg" --- # This is what drives me crazy whenever I hear people say… ![“This is what drives me crazy whenever I hear people say things like, "Ask the universe for what you want, and you'll get it," why I fucking hated that Paulo Coelho book The Alchemist that everybody was reading int he late nineties. Whenever I saw the book in anybody's hands on the subway I always…” quote by Joel Derfner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/joel-derfner-43647_books_this-is-what-drives-me-crazy-whenever-i_2994135.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/joel-derfner-43647_books_this-is-what-drives-me-crazy-whenever-i_2994135.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/joel-derfner-43647_books_this-is-what-drives-me-crazy-whenever-i_2994135.jpg) > ““This is what drives me crazy whenever I hear people say things like, "Ask the universe for what you want, and you'll get it," why I fucking hated that Paulo Coelho book The Alchemist that everybody was reading int he late nineties. Whenever I saw the book in anybody's hands on the subway I always wanted to say, "So the reason a million Tustis were just slaughtered in Rwanda is that they didn't ask the universe not to kill them ?”” [Joel Derfner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-derfner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker criticizes the simplistic “ask the universe” mantra, linking it to tragic events and questioning its efficacy. **In simple terms:** Blind optimism is mocked as naive. Key Takeaway Beware of oversimplified self‑help advice. Themes self‑help skepticism tragedy Mood cynical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal development - public discourse - media criticism Key Concepts naïveté fatalism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance optimism with realism? - What alternative coping strategies exist? A Different Perspective Such critiques can dismiss genuine hope‑seeking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ## Related quotes > [“ In the Demonata’s universe there was always something else to kill. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-shan/in-the-demonata-s-universe-there-was-always-something-else-to-kill/) [Darren Shan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-shan/) > [“Most places in the universe will kill life instantly—instantly! People say “Oh, the forces of nature are just right for life.” Excuse me. 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