"I often think I can see it in myself and in other young writers, this desperate desire to please coupled with a kind of hostility to the reader"

In this quote, David Foster Wallace assesses the frame of mind of young authors, including himself. He suggests that there is a common characteristic amongst them - a desperate desire to please. This might be interpreted as a need for recognition and acknowledgment from readers, which is understandable for aiming writers. Nevertheless, Wallace also notes a sense of hostility towards the reader that frequently accompanies this desire to please. This might be viewed as a defense mechanism, a method to secure oneself from possible criticism or rejection. In general, Wallace's observation highlights the complex and often conflicting emotions that young writers may experience in their pursuit of success.