That is a great excerpt and very "Wallacian" prose indeed. Many don't like his style because it deals with some somber and heavy topics. Coupled with the fact of his taking his own life it becomes all too easy to pigeon-hole DFW as a nihilist. Nothing could be further from the truth. In my opinion because he grapples with such serious issues as isolation, entertainment, and addiction the nuggets can make life much more worth living.

DFW was one of the pioneers of a new artistic style characterized by sincerity and authenticity. A reaction to the deadly -modern irony all too prevalent in late capitalism.