--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've always been afraid of video games…" description: "\"I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I wouldn't like them, but that I would like them too much, and that after mere seconds in fron..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg" --- # I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I… ![“I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I wouldn't like them, but that I would like them too much, and that after mere seconds in front of any particularly bright and absorbing game, I would abandon all ambition, turn into a mouth-breathing zombie, and develop a wide, sofa-shaped…” quote by Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg) > “I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I wouldn't like them, but that I would like them too much, and that after mere seconds in front of any particularly bright and absorbing game, I would abandon all ambition, turn into a mouth-breathing zombie, and develop a wide, sofa-shaped rear end.” [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) ## 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 fears video games will become so captivating that they derail ambition, turning the player into a passive, unhealthy lifestyle. **In simple terms:** Games can become addictive and harmful. Key Takeaway Set limits on gaming time. Themes addiction media health Mood concerned reflective informative Type warning personal anecdote When to use this quote - gaming habits - study routines - work-life balance - fitness plans Key Concepts behavioral psychology digital media Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance entertainment and ambition? - What signs indicate gaming is becoming harmful? A Different Perspective Moderation is possible with self-discipline and alternative activities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Sofas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sofas/) [Video](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video/) [Video games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video-games/) [Zombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zombie/) ## Related quotes > [I have trouble with long-term things...roles, songs, video games. That's why I was afraid of marriage, because it was like a lifelong game of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudd/i-have-trouble-with-long-term-things-roles-songs-video-games-that-s/) [Paul Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudd/) > [I have trouble with long-term things. I tend to get obsessed with stuff and then move on. Roles, songs, video games. That's why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudd/i-have-trouble-with-long-term-things-i-tend-to-get-obsessed-with/) [Paul Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudd/) > [Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they're afraid they might get hit by a pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-raveling/fans-never-fall-asleep-at-our-games-because-they-re-afraid-they-might/) [George Raveling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-raveling/) > [If I can get on to my sofa and occupy myself for four hours, at intervals through the day, scribbling my notes, and able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-james/if-i-can-get-on-to-my-sofa-and-occupy-myself-for-four-hours-at/) [Alice James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-james/) > [Ready?" Jaime echoed. "Yes, yes, I am ready. I am ready to drink a lot of liquids and lie on the sofa moaning faintly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/ready-jaime-echoed-yes-yes-i-am-ready-i-am-ready-to-drink-a-lot-of/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [People think, 'Oh, I'm loving myself by sitting on this sofa for four hours.' Love yourself enough to get up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sweeney/people-think-oh-i-m-loving-myself-by-sitting-on-this-sofa-for-four/) [Alison Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sweeney/) > [So many programs you watch on the sofa, But the real program sit on top of your shoulders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-be-lo/so-many-programs-you-watch-on-the-sofa-but-the-real-program-sit-on/) [One Be Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/one-be-lo/) > [I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-would-have-invited-friends-over-to-dinner-even-if-the-carpet-was/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [“Maisie was willing to bet there’d be a third living room within. Because what else would they do with all this space but buy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/maisie-was-willing-to-bet-there-d-be-a-third-living-room-within/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [For interiors, if you have a basic sofa, you can add fun throw pillows, and cool lighting to make the space more interesting. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-brent/for-interiors-if-you-have-a-basic-sofa-you-can-add-fun-throw-pillows/) [Jeremiah Brent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-brent/) > [People have an annoying tendency to compare shoe prices with the cost of other things. They might say, 'Wow - those shoes cost as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-pond/people-have-an-annoying-tendency-to-compare-shoe-prices-with-the-cost/) [Mimi Pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-pond/) > [What would he imagine next? Little hairy beasties tap-dancing on his sofa, or other fey creatures sneaking up on him in the shower?’ (Syn)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/what-would-he-imagine-next-little-hairy-beasties-tap-dancing-on-his/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [There are no more white linen sofas in my house. We have a rule here: Anything below 36 inches has to be brown or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candice-olson/there-are-no-more-white-linen-sofas-in-my-house-we-have-a-rule-here/) [Candice Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candice-olson/) > [Our bodies penetrate the sofas upon which we sit and the sofas penetrate our bodies. The motorbus rushes into the houses which it passes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-boccioni/our-bodies-penetrate-the-sofas-upon-which-we-sit-and-the-sofas/) [Umberto Boccioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-boccioni/) ## More by Susan Orlean > [I've used Twitter now and again to try to figure something out; it's an amazing resource. But I think you have to use it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-used-twitter-now-and-again-to-try-to-figure-something-out-it-s/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [Who on earth is going to use 'utilize' in a text message, a whopping seven characters including the always-hard-to-type 'z,' when you can say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/who-on-earth-is-going-to-use-utilize-in-a-text-message-a-whopping/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [When my son was born, and after a day of lying-in I was told that I could leave the hospital and take him home,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/when-my-son-was-born-and-after-a-day-of-lying-in-i-was-told-that-i/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I'm happy to be reminded that an ordinary day full of nothing but nothingness can make you feel like you've won the lottery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-m-happy-to-be-reminded-that-an-ordinary-day-full-of-nothing-but/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I once had a boyfriend who couldn't write unless he was wearing a necktie and a dress shirt, which I thought was really weird,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-once-had-a-boyfriend-who-couldn-t-write-unless-he-was-wearing-a/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“I, too, had set out to be remembered. 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I teach myself through research, reporting, and thinking, and then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-approach-stories-as-a-private-educational-enterprise-i-want-to/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [We're fascinated by animals because it's almost like having Martians living among us. We can see some familiarity in them, but they're entirely different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/we-re-fascinated-by-animals-because-it-s-almost-like-having-martians/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [My inspiration is really very simple: I'm struck by things that I want to know more about. I really do react just as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/my-inspiration-is-really-very-simple-i-m-struck-by-things-that-i-want/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I am dismayed to realize that much of the advice I used to parcel out to aspiring writers has passed its sell-by date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-am-dismayed-to-realize-that-much-of-the-advice-i-used-to-parcel-out/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I wish I had coined the phrase 'tyranny of choice,' but someone beat me to it. The counterintuitive truth is that have an abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-wish-i-had-coined-the-phrase-tyranny-of-choice-but-someone-beat-me/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [My ace in the hole as a human being used to be my capacity for remembering birthdays. I worked at it. 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I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) Browse all 1,142 Abandon quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I wouldn't like them, but that I would like them too much, and that after mere seconds in front of any particularly bright and absorbing game, I would abandon all ambition, turn into a mouth-breathing zombie, and develop a wide, sofa-shaped rear end.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susan Orlean" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-not-afraid-that-i-wouldn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abandon" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-not-afraid-that-i-wouldn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/susan-orlean-2207_abandon_i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-n_517753.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've always been afraid of video games - not afraid that I wouldn't like them, but that I would like them…” — Susan Orlean", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Susan Orlean", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've always been afraid of video...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-not-afraid-that-i-wouldn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-always-been-afraid-of-video-games-not-afraid-that-i-wouldn-t/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```