It is not a motivational speech. It is an autopsy of the default human setting. In 2005, David Foster Wallace gave the commencement address at Kenyon College. It was later turned into a short film (often just called “the Wallace video” or “This is Water”). On the surface, it is advice for young adults entering the "real world." In reality, it is a survival guide for anyone who has ever felt suffocated by traffic, grocery store lines, or their own self-pity.
You are not the center of the universe. The traffic jam is not a conspiracy against you. The water is real. And you have the power, for just a few moments a day, to wake up. wallace video
The point is crushing: The most obvious, important, and pervasive realities are often the hardest to see. Wallace argues that our natural, default state is worship . But we don’t worship gods anymore; we worship intellect, money, bodies, and status. The problem is that these are “unconscious” gods. When you worship money, you will never have enough. When you worship your body, you will always feel ugly. It is not a motivational speech
October 11, 2023 | Category: Mindset & Philosophy It was later turned into a short film
Have you seen the Wallace video? Did it change how you handle your daily commute? Let me know in the comments below.
Why the “Wallace Video” (This is Water) Will Break Your Brain (In the Best Way)