This Is Water: Wallace’s Wisdom On Education

David Foster Wallace, a celebrated author, delivered the commencement speech “This Is Water” at Kenyon College. It’s a speech that offers insights on higher learning. Wallace’s speech explores critical thinking, empathy, and awareness. These are the foundations of education. The speech encourages graduates to consider their default settings. It urges them to choose how they perceive and react to the world around them. Wallace’s address remains relevant in the discourse on education today. It provides timeless wisdom on navigating adult life with mindfulness and compassion.

David Foster Wallace. The name conjures images of dense prose, footnotes that lead to other footnotes, and a mind that could dissect the human condition with laser-like precision. But beyond the accolades and the literary genius, there was a man who spent years in the trenches of academia, shaping young minds and wrestling with the very purpose of higher education. He wasn’t just some ivory tower intellectual; he was a professor, a mentor, and a keen observer of the academic landscape.

Think of Wallace standing before a classroom of bright-eyed (and probably slightly intimidated) students. Imagine him, perhaps with a trademark bandana holding back his thoughts, launching into a discussion about postmodernism, addiction, or the subtle nuances of grammar. He wasn’t just lecturing; he was engaging, challenging, and pushing his students to think critically about the world around them. As he once quipped, “The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you.” That quote encapsulates his entire teaching philosophy: that the pursuit of knowledge is a rigorous, uncomfortable, but ultimately liberating process.

This blog post isn’t just about Wallace the author; it’s about Wallace the academic, the professor, the man who grappled with the complexities of higher education and its role in shaping individuals and society. Through his teaching, his writing, and his very being, Wallace offered profound insights into the search for meaning, the importance of sincerity, and the challenges of navigating a world saturated with information and distraction. His often critical, yet deeply thoughtful, relationship with academia is a lens through which we can better understand his broader philosophical concerns. We’re going to dive into how his time in the classroom shaped his worldview and how his experiences can offer valuable lessons for us all. Consider this your syllabus for understanding Wallace beyond the page.

Kenyon Days: Where Wallace’s Intellectual Foundation Was Forged

Kenyon College, a name that probably conjures up images of idyllic New England campuses and intense literary discussions. And guess what? It’s where our man DFW, David Foster Wallace, first started seriously wrestling with the big questions. Think of it as his intellectual gym, where he bulked up on postmodern theory and began crafting his signature blend of brainy analysis and raw emotional honesty. But what exactly made Kenyon so formative? Let’s dive in, shall we?

Professors and Intellectual Heavyweights

Kenyon wasn’t just about ivy-covered walls; it was about the minds within. Wallace soaked up knowledge from professors who pushed him to question everything, especially those easy answers we tend to cling to. Imagine being a young, bright-eyed Wallace, challenged to defend your ideas against some seriously sharp thinkers. It’s no wonder he developed such a nuanced and rigorous approach to everything from literature to philosophy! You might even say that these professors planted the seeds of his future intellectual battles.

Courses That Shaped a Mind

Now, specific courses are key here. Think classes delving into metafiction, literary theory, and maybe even a deep dive into the absurdities of modern existence. These weren’t your average lecture-and-regurgitate situations. These classes got Wallace thinking, got him questioning, and got him ready to forge his own path.

Early Work, Emerging Themes

So, how did these Kenyon experiences translate into Wallace’s early writing? Well, look closely, and you’ll see the beginnings of the themes that would later dominate his work: the struggle for authenticity in a media-saturated world, the pitfalls of irony, and the constant search for meaning. His early stories likely experimented with narrative structure and voice, all while grappling with the very same questions about contemporary life that would later explode onto the page in Infinite Jest.

Early Accolades

And hey, it wasn’t all just intense navel-gazing. Wallace also started earning recognition for his talents! Any awards or early publications served as validation, proving that his unique voice was resonating with others. Think of these as early breadcrumbs showing a literary journey!

The Teaching Years: Amherst and Pomona – Observations from the Front Lines

• Life After the Spotlight: Stepping into the Classroom
  • Transitioning from the lauded halls of Kenyon to the lecterns of Amherst and Pomona: A look at Wallace’s move from student to professor.
  • The allure (and potential pitfalls) of academia: Why did Wallace, with his burgeoning literary career, choose to teach? Was it the intellectual stimulation, a steady paycheck, or a genuine desire to mold young minds? Or was it a little bit of all three?
  • Exploring Wallace’s mindset as he embarked on his teaching career: His ambitions, anxieties, and hopes for his students.

Wallace’s Courses: A Peek into the Syllabus

• A Deep Dive into Course Offerings
  • Listing of specific courses taught at Amherst and Pomona: What did a David Foster Wallace syllabus actually look like?
  • Description of course content and reading lists: Were they standard fare or infused with Wallace’s unique intellectual obsessions? Think postmodern literature, literary theory, maybe a dash of probability and statistics thrown in for good measure.
  • Analysis of how his courses reflected his own literary and philosophical interests.

Pedagogical Approach: Beyond the Lecture

• Unconventional Teaching Methods
  • Wallace’s teaching style: Was he the stern lecturer, the Socratic seminar leader, or the quirky professor who made learning an adventure?
  • Emphasis on critical thinking, close reading, and engagement with complex texts: How did he encourage students to think for themselves and grapple with difficult ideas?
  • Use of humor, storytelling, and personal anecdotes to connect with students.
  • Examples of assignments or classroom activities that showcased his innovative approach.

Observations on Higher Education: A Critical Eye

• The State of the Academy According to DFW
  • Wallace’s views on the strengths and weaknesses of the American higher education system.
  • His concerns about student engagement, intellectual apathy, and the pursuit of grades over genuine learning.
  • Critique of the increasing emphasis on vocational training over liberal arts education.
  • His take on the challenges facing faculty, including burnout, administrative pressures, and the changing landscape of academia.

Voices from the Past: Student and Colleague Perspectives

• Personal Anecdotes and Testimonials
  • Gathering and sharing anecdotes from former students about Wallace’s teaching style, personality, and impact on their lives. (Think heartwarming stories, quirky observations, and maybe even a few tales of intellectual sparring.)
  • Quotes from colleagues who worked alongside him, offering insights into his contributions to the academic community.
  • Examples of how he mentored and supported his students, both inside and outside the classroom.
  • Addressing any criticisms or controversies surrounding his teaching career, providing a balanced and nuanced perspective.

“This Is Water”: A Commencement Speech for the Ages

• Dive into the Deep End of Wisdom: Analyzing “This Is Water”

  Let’s be real, commencement speeches can be snoozefests. But Wallace’s “This Is Water” isn’t your typical graduation pep talk. It’s more like a philosophical shot of espresso straight to the brain. We’re going to unpack this speech like a suitcase full of profound insights, examining why it resonates so deeply and continues to be quoted, shared, and pondered years later.

• Deciphering the Drops: Key Themes Unveiled

  Wallace drops some serious truth bombs in this speech. We’ll dissect the core elements that make “This Is Water” so powerful:

  • Empathy: Stepping into someone else’s soggy shoes and understanding their perspective, even when it’s dripping with inconvenience.
  • Awareness: Waking up and realizing that your default setting isn’t always the most accurate or compassionate one. Recognizing the “choices” in front of you.
  • Critical Thinking: Questioning your own assumptions and challenging the narratives that shape your world.
  • The Freedom of Choice: The radical idea that you actually get to decide what you pay attention to and how you interpret your experiences.

• The Liberal Arts Connection: More Than Just a Fancy Degree

  So, how does all this relate to a liberal arts education? Well, Wallace argues that the whole point of college isn’t just to get a job (although that’s nice, too!). It’s about training your mind to think critically, to be more empathetic, and to recognize your own biases. A Liberal Arts education is ultimately learning how to make conscious choices about how you see the world. In essence, it’s about developing the intellectual and emotional tools to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace.

• From Graduation to Everyday Life: Practical Takeaways You Can Actually Use

  Forget the abstract philosophical musings; let’s get practical. How can you apply the lessons of “This Is Water” to your daily grind?

  • Practice Empathy: Make a conscious effort to see things from other people’s points of view.
  • Cultivate Awareness: Notice your own thought patterns and challenge your assumptions.
  • Embrace Critical Thinking: Don’t just accept information at face value; dig deeper and ask questions.
  • Choose Your Focus: Take control of your attention and focus on what truly matters to you.

• A Ripple Effect: The Speech’s Enduring Impact

  “This Is Water” isn’t just for college grads. Its message about empathy, awareness, and critical thinking resonates with people from all walks of life. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to choose how we see the world and how we interact with others. The speech’s continued popularity is a testament to its timeless wisdom and its ability to inspire positive change.

Infinite Jest: A Novel Examination of Distraction and Meaning

• A Mirror to Our Times: *_Infinite Jest_* as Cultural Critique

  • Dive deep into how Infinite Jest serves as a satirical magnifying glass pointed at contemporary culture, highlighting the dangers of unchecked consumerism and the relentless pursuit of pleasure. Think of it as Wallace’s quirky and intellectually stimulating way of holding up a mirror to our societal obsessions.
  • Explore Wallace’s critique of entertainment-as-escape, where the pursuit of instant gratification overshadows deeper, more meaningful experiences.
  • Consider how the novel’s depiction of a future dominated by entertainment predicts, with startling accuracy, the rise of social media and the constant barrage of information we face today. Does the “Entertainment” feel a little too close to home now?
  • Discuss the novel’s portrayal of the blurring lines between reality and simulation, and how this contributes to a sense of existential unease.

• Drowning in the Signal: Distraction and the Search for Meaning

  • Unpack Wallace’s exploration of distraction as a major obstacle in the quest for meaning and connection in a world overflowing with stimuli.
  • Analyze how the characters in Infinite Jest use entertainment, drugs, and other forms of escapism to avoid confronting their own pain and insecurities.
  • Discuss the irony of seeking happiness through external sources, only to find themselves further isolated and disconnected from their true selves. Spoiler alert: doesn’t really work out for them.
  • Consider the novel’s commentary on the impact of media on our attention spans and our ability to engage in deep, meaningful thought. Are we training ourselves to be incapable of anything beyond a Tweet?

• The Human Cost: Addiction, Depression, and Connection

  • Examine the novel’s raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction and its devastating consequences on individuals and relationships.
  • Analyze how Wallace captures the experience of depression, its isolating effects, and the difficulty of seeking help.
  • Discuss the novel’s exploration of the challenges of human connection in a world where genuine intimacy is often replaced by superficial interactions.
  • Consider how the characters’ struggles with addiction and depression reflect broader societal issues, such as the lack of support systems and the stigma surrounding mental health. Wallace isn’t pulling punches here, folks.
  • Mental health in Infinite Jest, and the search for meaning in the modern world.

• Education as a Mirror (or a Trap?): Learning and Longing in Infinite Jest

  • Analyze how the characters’ educational experiences, or lack thereof, contribute to the novel’s central themes.
  • Examine the Ennet House Drug and Alcohol Recovery House, and its curriculum, as a form of education—a re-education, in a way. Consider its successes and failures.
  • Explore the role of the Enfield Tennis Academy (ETA) as both a training ground for athletes and a microcosm of the larger societal forces at play. Are they learning tennis, or are they learning life?
  • Discuss how the novel portrays the pressures and expectations placed on young people in the pursuit of academic and professional success.
  • Consider how characters without formal education navigate the world and their experiences compared to those within the education system.
  • Does education liberate, or does it further entrench us in the very systems Wallace is critiquing? This is a key question.

Battling Irony: Wallace’s Quest for Sincerity

• The Double-Edged Sword of Irony: Wallace wasn’t just tossing irony around like confetti; he saw it as a complex tool. On one hand, it’s the shield we use to deflect vulnerability, the wink that says, “I don’t really care.” On the other hand, overusing it turns us into emotional fortresses, unable to connect genuinely. Think of it like that sarcastic friend you love, but sometimes you just wish they’d drop the act for five minutes.

• From Wry Grin to Open Heart: The Sincerity Shift: Wallace, bless his heart, wanted to break free from the irony trap. He yearned for sincerity – that old-fashioned, uncool thing. It wasn’t about being sappy or cheesy. It was about being real, being present, and daring to mean what you say. Imagine him as a literary superhero, battling cynicism with the power of heartfelt connection.

• Irony’s Role and Subversion: A Balancing Act: Okay, so he wasn’t ditching irony completely. It’s still there, sprinkled throughout his writing like a seasoning. But here’s the trick: He uses it to lure you in, then BAM! He hits you with something unexpectedly sincere. It’s like a comedic magician who suddenly pulls out a bouquet of raw emotion. He uses irony like bait to lure the reader into meaningful places.

• The Cynicism Cul-de-Sac: Wallace’s Warnings: Ever felt like modern culture is just one giant eye-roll? Wallace did. He worried that constant detachment and cynicism were turning us into zombies, shuffling through life without really feeling or connecting. His essays and interviews are full of warnings about the dangers of hiding behind irony, about the importance of risking sincerity, even when it feels awkward.

• Sincerity in a Postmodern Mess: Wallace’s quest wasn’t just a personal one. He saw it as a response to the overwhelming complexities of modern life. In a world saturated with information, noise, and endless choices, finding something real, something that matters, becomes a revolutionary act. His search for sincerity is ultimately a search for meaning in a world that often feels meaningless.

Critical Thinking in a Complex World: Wallace’s Enduring Message

Okay, so, Wallace wasn’t just about fancy words and footnotes longer than your arm. Beneath all the intellectual fireworks, he was really pushing for something fundamental: think, feel, understand yourself. In today’s world, where information comes at us like a firehose, those skills aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re survival gear.

Think about it. We’re bombarded with stuff designed to grab our attention, trigger our emotions, and, let’s be honest, often manipulate us. Wallace saw this coming. He knew that if we weren’t careful, we’d become passive consumers, just bouncing from one distraction to the next, never really present or engaged.

Wallace Vs. The Internet Age

Wallace’s concerns about distraction now feel painfully prophetic. Social media, political echo chambers, the relentless 24/7 news cycle… it’s all designed to keep us hooked, often at the expense of genuine understanding. His call for critical thinking becomes a shield against misinformation, a way to cut through the noise and actually evaluate what’s being thrown at us.

Empathy as a Superpower

But it’s not just about being skeptical. Wallace also championed empathy – the ability to step outside your own head and truly consider another person’s perspective. In a world increasingly divided along political and social lines, empathy is more crucial than ever. It’s the foundation for meaningful dialogue, for bridging divides, and for building a society that actually works for everyone.

Your Brain: Use It (Responsibly!)

So, what’s the takeaway? Wallace isn’t just some dusty academic to be studied; he’s a guide. He’s urging us to take responsibility for our own minds, to actively engage with the world around us, and to strive for a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It’s not easy. It takes effort. But, as Wallace himself might say (with a wry smile), that’s the whole point.

So, where does all this leave us? Maybe Wallace didn’t have all the answers, but he definitely got us thinking. And in a world of standardized tests and cookie-cutter curriculums, maybe that’s the most important lesson of all. Just keep questioning, keep learning, and keep trying to figure out what it all means, you know?