David Foster Wallace’s speech, “This Is Water”, is all about finding beauty in everyday routine and that we should be aware and consciously thinking in order to make that routine life different and magical. David flat out says that life after college is usually a boring cycle of day in and day out. We tend to think, in this lifestyle, that it’s all about us and that others are just there to get in the way. It is important to remember that everyone else is thinking like that too. Sometimes we forget than others are also experiencing this life, and they could be in a worse off position than you are. I took away I should always consider the possible reasons for behaviors before judging actions. We must be awake to our surroundings. We must actually think! Wallace brings up this essential insight: first, that real education has little to do with knowledge and more to do with awareness of not just life, but of new ideas; and second, we must live well while we are alive. The fish doesn’t know what water is until it jumps out of the bowl, so do we not know anything other than our particular reality until we become conscious of it. Within the working lifestyle, the common truth is everyone is miserable. You must rise above it by acknowledging that and accepting it- then you will see things in a whole new way. If you are not open-minded you will never experience the beauty and sacredness of life. Only you can decide how you see the world. Only you can find meaning in the everyday drone. By talking with humor and brutal honesty David Foster Wallace is able to portray this message in a meaningful way. This commencement speech was said in a professional, formal setting, but it is spoken as it is a one on one conversation, which helps apply this message to everyone. The message being that the fish must recognize he is in water to truly have a beautiful day.
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