--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know,' said Erin, and described how…" description: "\"I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt depressed in a new and scary way, which Paul also had felt lately and described as a sadness-ba..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png" --- # I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt… ![“I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt depressed in a new and scary way, which Paul also had felt lately and described as a sadness-based fear, immune to tone and interpretation, as if not meant for humans - more visceral than sadness, but unlike fear because it decreased heart…” quote by Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png) > “I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt depressed in a new and scary way, which Paul also had felt lately and described as a sadness-based fear, immune to tone and interpretation, as if not meant for humans - more visceral than sadness, but unlike fear because it decreased heart rate and impaired the senses, causing everything to seem 'darker.” [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes a deep, visceral fear that feels beyond human, lowering heart rate and dulling senses, distinct from ordinary fear. **In simple terms:** A strange, human‑like dread. Key Takeaway Recognize and name unusual emotions. Themes psychology emotion existential humanity Mood introspective somber Type literary psychological When to use this quote - therapy sessions - creative writing - mental health awareness - philosophical inquiry Key Concepts fear sadness sensory perception Questions to Reflect On - What does this “sadness‑based fear” reveal about human emotion? - How can we address emotions that defy typical categories? A Different Perspective Interpretation may be subjective and culturally specific. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-rate/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) [Visceral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visceral/) ## Related quotes > […she felt depressed beyond any thing she had ever known before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/she-felt-depressed-beyond-any-thing-she-had-ever-known-before/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Edna felt depressed rather than soothed after leaving them. The little glimpse of domestic harmony which had been offered her, gave her no regret,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-chopin/edna-felt-depressed-rather-than-soothed-after-leaving-them-the-little/) [Kate Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-chopin/) > [I've felt depressed many times in my life, so I can draw on those times in my life when I need to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-ve-felt-depressed-many-times-in-my-life-so-i-can-draw-on-those/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [“She felt depressed beyond anything she had ever known before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/she-felt-depressed-beyond-anything-she-had-ever-known-before/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Does it ever happen to you,' said Natasha to her brother when they had settled down in the sitting-room, 'does it ever happen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/does-it-ever-happen-to-you-said-natasha-to-her-brother-when-they-had/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The only thing I could think of was turkey neck and turkey gizzards and I felt very depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/the-only-thing-i-could-think-of-was-turkey-neck-and-turkey-gizzards/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [“The modern philosopher had told me again and again that I was in the right place, and I still felt depressed even in acquiescence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/the-modern-philosopher-had-told-me-again-and-again-that-i-was-in-the/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“Curiously, he felt too depressed to cry. Too hurt. It felt as if she'd taken the part of him that cried.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/curiously-he-felt-too-depressed-to-cry-too-hurt-it-felt-as-if-she-d/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“But he wasn't crying. Curiously, he felt too depressed to cry. Too hurt. It felt as if she'd taken the part of him that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/but-he-wasn-t-crying-curiously-he-felt-too-depressed-to-cry-too-hurt/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“If people could just understand how it actually felt to be depressed, obsessed, frightened, out of control, maybe they’d be more tolerant, more understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-leatham/if-people-could-just-understand-how-it-actually-felt-to-be-depressed/) [Victoria Leatham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-leatham/) > [“I also remember it was Sunday night because that was the time I felt most depressed and vulnerable. Somehow have a moment to contemplate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-carolla/i-also-remember-it-was-sunday-night-because-that-was-the-time-i-felt/) [Adam Carolla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-carolla/) > [I've often felt depressed; everyone feels depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-ve-often-felt-depressed-everyone-feels-depressed/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I can’t tell how much of our connection is because of the things we still have in common or the one thing that bonds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susane-colasanti/i-can-t-tell-how-much-of-our-connection-is-because-of-the-things-we/) [Susane Colasanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susane-colasanti/) > [Erin and I spent four hours shopping for dresses and shoes Tuesday night. She was going all out in her intention to make Chaz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/erin-and-i-spent-four-hours-shopping-for-dresses-and-shoes-tuesday/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“Erin called us soul mates, but I…I’ve always known it was more than that. It’s like we share the same soul, and when we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/erin-called-us-soul-mates-but-i-i-ve-always-known-it-was-more-than/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) ## More by Tao Lin > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“i recommend the phrase 'pineapple ass”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-recommend-the-phrase-pineapple-ass/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I actually don't have...opinions. I'm not being secretive about anything. I just actually don't have opinions about society. I can discern that certain things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-actually-don-t-have-opinions-i-m-not-being-secretive-about-anything/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Sara would call one of those cops on horses a motherfucker. The cop would avert his eyes. Sara would ask directions for the wild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/sara-would-call-one-of-those-cops-on-horses-a-motherfucker-the-cop/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [Do you sometimes look up from the computer and look around the room and know you are alone, I mean really know it, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/do-you-sometimes-look-up-from-the-computer-and-look-around-the-room/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I think mostly the commodifying comes after I've done something that has some other value to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-think-mostly-the-commodifying-comes-after-i-ve-done-something-that/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“The hamster friend said being able to do front rolls didn't make the hamster as good as Bruce Lee, which was not a true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/the-hamster-friend-said-being-able-to-do-front-rolls-didn-t-make-the/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“As a teenager, he made screaming noises at night in his room, like a deranged person. He threw his electrical pencil sharpener at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/as-a-teenager-he-made-screaming-noises-at-night-in-his-room-like-a/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Don't be stupid and awkward," the dolphin says. "You want to walk together or not?" "You are a stupid piece of shit. Go away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/don-t-be-stupid-and-awkward-the-dolphin-says-you-want-to-walk/) [tao lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I was delivering pizzas at Domino's. I was 17 maybe. I liked it a lot. Just driving in the nice weather and listening to music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-was-delivering-pizzas-at-domino-s-i-was-17-maybe-i-liked-it-a-lot/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [loneliness can fly a helicopter through a cut-out shape of a helicopter the same size as the helicopter and that's it's only skill and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/loneliness-can-fly-a-helicopter-through-a-cut-out-shape-of-a/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [Life has never died, which is something that I think people ignore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/life-has-never-died-which-is-something-that-i-think-people-ignore/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Amoeba ass is so hot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/amoeba-ass-is-so-hot/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“After untangling a cord, then moving the MacBook to the floor, Paul lay beside Erin and meekly pawed her forearm three times, then briefly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/after-untangling-a-cord-then-moving-the-macbook-to-the-floor-paul-lay/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“It was a face that said, “Fuck the world,” but said it reluctantly, and tonelessly, and then apologized, said “Sorry,” but said all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/it-was-a-face-that-said-fuck-the-world-but-said-it-reluctantly-and/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) [Explore all 133 Tao Lin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) ## More Decrease quotes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [In our own time the whole of Greece has been subject to a low birth rate and a general decrease of the population, owing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/in-our-own-time-the-whole-of-greece-has-been-subject-to-a-low-birth/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [ The only way you can do that \[decrease taxes, balance the budget, and increase military spending\] is with mirrors… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-anderson/the-only-way-you-can-do-that-decrease-taxes-balance-the-budget-and/) John B. Anderson > [Gratitude is the law of increase, and complaint is the law of decrease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/gratitude-is-the-law-of-increase-and-complaint-is-the-law-of-decrease/) [Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/) > [When focus increases, options decrease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/when-focus-increases-options-decrease/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [If you're white and wealthy, Texas is a great place, however, no Texas governor Republican or Democrat is eager to raise taxes and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-jillson/if-you-re-white-and-wealthy-texas-is-a-great-place-however-no-texas/) [Calvin Jillson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-jillson/) > [It is the multiplication of men who are exluded from working which provokes war. We ought at least to bear this in mind when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/it-is-the-multiplication-of-men-who-are-exluded-from-working-which/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [He does not show humility who accuses himself (for who will not accept rebukes from himself?), but he who, being rebuked by another, does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-climacus/he-does-not-show-humility-who-accuses-himself-for-who-will-not-accept/) [John Climacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-climacus/) > [I started working out, doing a formal workout right around 1980. That's when I really decided I needed to get in shape and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-stanley/i-started-working-out-doing-a-formal-workout-right-around-1980-that-s/) [Paul Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-stanley/) > [In addition, each barrel of oil we save through conservation further decreases our dangerous reliance on unstable Middle East oil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/in-addition-each-barrel-of-oil-we-save-through-conservation-further/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [The less control people had over their work, the higher their blood pressure during work hours. Moreover, blood pressure at home was unrelated to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-less-control-people-had-over-their-work-the-higher-their-blood/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [Prudence and love are inconsistent; in proportion as the last increases, the other decreases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/prudence-and-love-are-inconsistent-in-proportion-as-the-last/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [I think as time goes on that generation of rappers who's making it now is gonna face the same thing that my generation was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-think-as-time-goes-on-that-generation-of-rappers-who-s-making-it/) [RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/) > [I wondered how long it could last. Maybe someday, years from now.If the pain would decrease to the point where I could bear it.I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-wondered-how-long-it-could-last-maybe-someday-years-from-now-if-the/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Jesus must increase and I must decrease.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/jesus-must-increase-and-i-must-decrease/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) Browse all 270 Decrease quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt depressed in a new and scary way, which Paul also had felt lately and described as a sadness-based fear, immune to tone and interpretation, as if not meant for humans - more visceral than sadness, but unlike fear because it decreased heart rate and impaired the senses, causing everything to seem 'darker.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tao Lin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d-lately-felt-depressed-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Decrease" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d-lately-felt-depressed-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/tao-lin-3279_decrease_i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d_466234.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know,' said Erin, and described how she'd lately felt depressed in a new and scary way, which Paul also…” — Tao Lin", "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": "Tao Lin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know,' said Erin, and described...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d-lately-felt-depressed-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-know-said-erin-and-described-how-she-d-lately-felt-depressed-in-a/#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 } } ] } ```