Anxiety Quote by Virginia Heffernan
“There's always something in new technology that promotes anxiety on the one hand, but also grieving on the other. With the internet, I think we can remember a time when people said "I don't use email," or "I'm not going to get email." I once had to do a piece on people who had never used the internet and refused to start and I found three people. But when I talked to them, they had used it, at some point or another. It's almost impossible to stay off the internet entirely. We feel as though we didn't get to make a decision. There's this new dawn and we all have to embrace it.”
About This Quote
New tech creates both anxiety and nostalgia, making it hard to opt out, so we feel compelled to accept it.
In simple terms: Tech induces fear and longing, forcing adoption.
Key Takeaway
Digital life feels inevitable.
Themes
Technology anxiety
Nostalgia
Digital adoption
Choice illusion
Cultural shift
Mood
reflective
ambivalent
hopeful
Type
observation
cultural critique
personal anecdote
When to use this quote
- Someone refusing email
- People who never used internet
- Individuals feeling forced online
Key Concepts
Internet ubiquity
Resistance to change
Emotional impact of tech
Practical Applications
- Designing tech that eases transition
- Creating optional digital spaces
Questions to Reflect On
- How does constant connectivity shape identity?
- Can we reclaim agency over digital choices?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that technology can be voluntarily avoided with discipline, though social pressures remain.
![“We came in with the Internet, we came up with the Internet, and I think Secretary [Hillary] Clinton and myself would agree very much, when you look at what ISIS is doing with the Internet, they're beating us at our own game. ISIS.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/579/donald-trump-18_agree_we-came-in-with-the-internet-we-came-up_749578.jpg)
