First-paragraph Quote by Richard Russo
““Truth be told, I'm not an easy man. I can be an entertaining one, though it's been my experience that most people don't want to be entertained. They want to be comforted. And, of course, my idea of entertaining might not be yours. I'm in complete agreement with all those people who say, regarding movies, 'I just want to be entertained.' This populist position is much derided by my academic colleagues as simpleminded and unsophisticated, evidence of questionable analytical and critical acuity. But I agree with the premise, and I too just want to be entertained. That I am almost never entertained by what entertains other people who just want to be entertained doesn't make us philosophically incompatible. It just means that we shouldn't go to movies together.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
He admits he prefers entertainment over intellectual challenge, noting most people seek comfort rather than stimulation.
In simple terms: He likes being entertained and thinks others do too.
Key Takeaway
Accept that entertainment can be a valid goal.
Themes
entertainment
comfort
audience expectations
art vs. commerce
Mood
reflective
conversational
Type
observational
personal
When to use this quote
- movie nights
- social gatherings
- personal media consumption
- film criticism
Key Concepts
pop culture
critical theory
personal preference
Questions to Reflect On
- What does entertainment mean to you?
- How do you balance comfort and challenge?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone will find the same content entertaining, limiting shared experiences.
