Although this is a commencement speech, I still think it shows off Wallace's literary prowess and penetrating insight. Please read the essay and post your response in the comments section below.
Selena Martinez Wallace's speech tells us how the normal every day things we do, what were used to doing daily and that we have to choose how we think, and what we really pay attention to. i love how he says "Since the fact that you even got admitted to a college this good seems like proof that you already know how to think". For some reason this quote automatically grabbed my attention because it is true. one thing i didn't or either don't have enough humor, but I didn't think it was humorous like the people laughing in the video. However, his words are strong and do make a statement.
This commencement speech was very inspiring. I think a lot of people could take something positive from this. Wallace talks about how our world is selfish, its a natural default setting that we were all programmed with when we were born. What he is trying to present is another way of thinking. Instead of be selfish in situations, he says to try putting yourself in someone else's shoes. By doing this you are using your education, you have a great advantage that some people do not have. Seeing a situation and looking at it different than anyone else to get a better understanding of it, sets you apart from the rest of the world. Understanding the little things in life teach you how to piece together the bigger more important things. In his speech, when the fish doesn't know what water is even though he lives in it, sums up the point of his speech. The little things that people tend to take for granted in life are the most important. I found it to be shocking that he later took his own life, he seemed to have a positive outlook on life
His main message is to let us know and prevent us from getting stuck in our own reality or the reality of others. He states that it is our power and choice how to see our lives, for example we can see our lives being miserable, however, others that we'd assumed have worse lives can in fact appreciate their lives because they choose to see their lives differently. This has a lot to do with ambitions and reactions, whatever those might be; always challenge our own opinions. The message of this speech is to show the audience that we have control over our lives instead of our lives over us.
David Foster Wallace's speech was very inspiring in a strange aspect. Thinking in a non-default setting can benefit the individual in many ways. He's saying to think outside the box and to not think in a selfish point-if-view. Selflessness to me can lead to a very exciting and not so boring life.
This is the only thing I've enjoyed reading/listening to since class started honestly. I love the way he said everything cause it's very true. I even found myself picturing people I know who think negatively & considered having them listen to him. Anyway, he explains how everyone has their diversities in the way they think. It all depends on the persons beliefs and experiences. But he also says that there is never no right or wrong way to think. We as humans tend to think selfishly, and others thoughts and feelings aren't as urget. He explains how those who can adjust the way they think in different situations are conscious and aware enough of their thinking. It's important to think consciously about what and what not to pay attention to. For example, when you're having a bad day, you decide what bothers you and what doesn't. Wallace explains how it does take effort and will to be considerate of others, but it can be done.
Gabriela Cuevas I thought David Foster Wallace's speech was quite interesting, I felt inspired by his words, and I think that his speech should not be taken lightly, He points out how human beings as a whole think in a way that we were "programed" to think. What really struck out to me was when he said, "If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is, and you are operating on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable". It made me realize that people in many situations seem to think of the worst possible situations, rather than the positive ones. In a way this speech made me want to change the way I see life; maybe that was the whole point of the speech?
I thought this speech is very interesting, he talks about how when graduating you are going to have to think positive. That just because you graduated and got an education that not everything is going to be simple and you will go through struggles. He also states that society should not always think in a selfish way because the person next to you may be having it way harder. I found it hard to believe that such an inspiring and great speech came from a man who his father told New York Times, had been in a depression for over 20 years.
This speech has motivated me to think positively about everything. Also that we need to understand people who are in a rush and have an attitude because maybe they have had a bad day or have an emergency. I have learned that thinking negatively affects our personality and our way of living. That is why it is important to analyze everything because the way we look at things determines our reactions.
Wallace basically states that a person can choose how to think. He states that training how to think will give other options rather than the obvious. He states that people tend to worry about theirselves and forget to think of others. A good example he gives is waiting in line at the grocery store surrounded by people he claims to be "annoying".
it was a good article to read and make me think about life and how i see it or live it.i think that he is trying to tell that people have almost the same life but they live it differently because they viewed their lives differently. i think that his main point is for people to view their life in a different way other see it or people to be award of what it is the true worship in life.
This was a good essay to listen too. I believe what he is trying to say s that everyone goes through their own things in life and is never really aware of what the person next to them is going through. We stay stuck in our lives thinking only we go through certain things or feel a certain way about how our day goes but dont realize that the person right next to you could be feeling the same way.
Charlotte Pouncy This speech, long and full of detail, encourages its listeners to be aware of more than their own thoughts and feelings. To remember that they arent the center of the universe, and that certain considerations can help a situation. He doesnt make adult life seem fun and exciting, but he does make it sound as is being "well adjusted", able to see things from others point of view makes it a little easier.
Wallace's speech was intense and so honest. Everything he spoke of are things that we as people already know, but are too blind sighted by our own lives to acknowledge. We tend to get caught up in our surroundings and the ME aspect of life. Thinking is not something that can be taught. It is a natural doing of a person. The way a person thinks, now that is a choice that only the individual can determine. I believe that this speech was trying to let us know that in the real world, you are not alone. There are people fighting and striving for the same goal as you and it is a matter of how you interpret their actions that determines yours.
The speech is encouraging others to live consciously, and act like adults very day. To think different and live a compassionate life. Not to put yourself as the center of the universe, but rather take into consideration other peoples point of views. To think about others and not just about yourselves. To pay attention, be aware, have discipline, and truly care about others to sacrifice for them everyday. That is being taught how to think. Its you controlling how you think and act to things and taking everything around you into considerations. Not letting the culture of this world influence how you act, think, and see things.
David Foster talks about using education to make wise decisions with everything. He says to think about the decisions we make. He talks about people white collar jobs and how day in and day out forget to think about things that matter. People get stuck in this boring routine with work, going to the store doing the same things over and over. Stuck in the check out line he ponders about the life of others and how to see people differently not just by what they present. It's true, we don't always stop to consider the reasons why people do things. An example he mentions is when someone cuts us off. Maybe they are running late for work, have an apt or have an emergency. He says to think and pay attention to everything around us. He says, "to remind ourselves, this is water."
The speech Wallace made, made a really good point. People are to busy thinking about themselves they do not realize that others are going through the same thing. I think it is important to be postive and not negative because it makes you look at things differently.
Wallace speech was very interesting to read i was entertained throughout the whole reading. He states how people see others and not really care what they feel. We should care more about others as we care as much for ourselves.By doing this we make humanity better by making others life better by helping them out. He also states how we should make educated decisions in our life.
Selena Martinez
ReplyDeleteWallace's speech tells us how the normal every day things we do, what were used to doing daily and that we have to choose how we think, and what we really pay attention to. i love how he says "Since the fact that you even got admitted to a college this good seems like proof that you already know how to think". For some reason this quote automatically grabbed my attention because it is true. one thing i didn't or either don't have enough humor, but I didn't think it was humorous like the people laughing in the video. However, his words are strong and do make a statement.
This commencement speech was very inspiring. I think a lot of people could take something positive from this. Wallace talks about how our world is selfish, its a natural default setting that we were all programmed with when we were born. What he is trying to present is another way of thinking. Instead of be selfish in situations, he says to try putting yourself in someone else's shoes. By doing this you are using your education, you have a great advantage that some people do not have. Seeing a situation and looking at it different than anyone else to get a better understanding of it, sets you apart from the rest of the world. Understanding the little things in life teach you how to piece together the bigger more important things. In his speech, when the fish doesn't know what water is even though he lives in it, sums up the point of his speech. The little things that people tend to take for granted in life are the most important. I found it to be shocking that he later took his own life, he seemed to have a positive outlook on life
ReplyDeleteHis main message is to let us know and prevent us from getting stuck in our own reality or the reality of others. He states that it is our power and choice how to see our lives, for example we can see our lives being miserable, however, others that we'd assumed have worse lives can in fact appreciate their lives because they choose to see their lives differently. This has a lot to do with ambitions and reactions, whatever those might be; always challenge our own opinions. The message of this speech is to show the audience that we have control over our lives instead of our lives over us.
ReplyDeleteDavid Foster Wallace's speech was very inspiring in a strange aspect. Thinking in a non-default setting can benefit the individual in many ways. He's saying to think outside the box and to not think in a selfish point-if-view. Selflessness to me can lead to a very exciting and not so boring life.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only thing I've enjoyed reading/listening to since class started honestly. I love the way he said everything cause it's very true. I even found myself picturing people I know who think negatively & considered having them listen to him. Anyway, he explains how everyone has their diversities in the way they think. It all depends on the persons beliefs and experiences. But he also says that there is never no right or wrong way to think. We as humans tend to think selfishly, and others thoughts and feelings aren't as urget. He explains how those who can adjust the way they think in different situations are conscious and aware enough of their thinking. It's important to think consciously about what and what not to pay attention to. For example, when you're having a bad day, you decide what bothers you and what doesn't. Wallace explains how it does take effort and will to be considerate of others, but it can be done.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGabriela Cuevas
ReplyDeleteI thought David Foster Wallace's speech was quite interesting, I felt inspired by his words, and I think that his speech should not be taken lightly, He points out how human beings as a whole think in a way that we were "programed" to think. What really struck out to me was when he said, "If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is, and you are operating on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable". It made me realize that people in many situations seem to think of the worst possible situations, rather than the positive ones. In a way this speech made me want to change the way I see life; maybe that was the whole point of the speech?
I thought this speech is very interesting, he talks about how when graduating you are going to have to think positive. That just because you graduated and got an education that not everything is going to be simple and you will go through struggles. He also states that society should not always think in a selfish way because the person next to you may be having it way harder. I found it hard to believe that such an inspiring and great speech came from a man who his father told New York Times, had been in a depression for over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteThis speech has motivated me to think positively about everything. Also that we need to understand people who are in a rush and have an attitude because maybe they have had a bad day or have an emergency. I have learned that thinking negatively affects our personality and our way of living. That is why it is important to analyze everything because the way we look at things determines our reactions.
ReplyDeleteWallace basically states that a person can choose how to think. He states that training how to think will give other options rather than the obvious. He states that people tend to worry about theirselves and forget to think of others. A good example he gives is waiting in line at the grocery store surrounded by people he claims to be "annoying".
ReplyDeleteit was a good article to read and make me think about life and how i see it or live it.i think that he is trying to tell that people have almost the same life but they live it differently because they viewed their lives differently. i think that his main point is for people to view their life in a different way other see it or people to be award of what it is the true worship in life.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good essay to listen too. I believe what he is trying to say s that everyone goes through their own things in life and is never really aware of what the person next to them is going through. We stay stuck in our lives thinking only we go through certain things or feel a certain way about how our day goes but dont realize that the person right next to you could be feeling the same way.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Pouncy
ReplyDeleteThis speech, long and full of detail, encourages its listeners to be aware of more than their own thoughts and feelings. To remember that they arent the center of the universe, and that certain considerations can help a situation. He doesnt make adult life seem fun and exciting, but he does make it sound as is being "well adjusted", able to see things from others point of view makes it a little easier.
Veronicka Espinosa
ReplyDeleteWallace's speech was intense and so honest. Everything he spoke of are things that we as people already know, but are too blind sighted by our own lives to acknowledge. We tend to get caught up in our surroundings and the ME aspect of life. Thinking is not something that can be taught. It is a natural doing of a person. The way a person thinks, now that is a choice that only the individual can determine. I believe that this speech was trying to let us know that in the real world, you are not alone. There are people fighting and striving for the same goal as you and it is a matter of how you interpret their actions that determines yours.
The speech is encouraging others to live consciously, and act like adults very day. To think different and live a compassionate life. Not to put yourself as the center of the universe, but rather take into consideration other peoples point of views. To think about others and not just about yourselves. To pay attention, be aware, have discipline, and truly care about others to sacrifice for them everyday. That is being taught how to think. Its you controlling how you think and act to things and taking everything around you into considerations. Not letting the culture of this world influence how you act, think, and see things.
ReplyDeleteDavid Foster talks about using education to make wise decisions with everything. He says to think about the decisions we make. He talks about people white collar jobs and how day in and day out forget to think about things that matter. People get stuck in this boring routine with work, going to the store doing the same things over and over. Stuck in the check out line he ponders about the life of others and how to see people differently not just by what they present. It's true, we don't always stop to consider the reasons why people do things. An example he mentions is when someone cuts us off. Maybe they are running late for work, have an apt or have an emergency. He says to think and pay attention to everything around us. He says, "to remind ourselves, this is water."
ReplyDeleteThe speech Wallace made, made a really good point. People are to busy thinking about themselves they do not realize that others are going through the same thing. I think it is important to be postive and not negative because it makes you look at things differently.
ReplyDeleteWallace speech was very interesting to read i was entertained throughout the whole reading. He states how people see others and not really care what they feel. We should care more about others as we care as much for ourselves.By doing this we make humanity better by making others life better by helping them out. He also states how we should make educated decisions in our life.
ReplyDelete