David Foster Wallace's "This is Water" is a commencement speech arguing that a liberal arts education is not merely about acquiring knowledge, but about cultivating the ability to consciously choose what to think about. Wallace uses parables and anecdotes to illustrate how our default setting of self-centeredness can lead to unhappiness, and emphasizes the importance of developing awareness and self-control to overcome this. He stresses that true freedom comes from consciously choosing how to interpret experiences, rather than passively accepting our default reactions. The speech ultimately advocates for mindful living as the key to a fulfilling and meaningful life, contrasting this with a life lived unconsciously. The core message is encapsulated by the phrase, "This is water," urging listeners to acknowledge and appreciate the often-overlooked realities of daily life.
Why discuss Wallace who was not a theist? Even the atheist gets something right. Wallace’s very deep point is that everybody worships something. Even the atheist. We should think about what they have to say, even if we don’t ulimately agree with them. In this case, as Christians we should think about what what and WHO we worship and how that causes us to relate to people and things. Things should not have a hold over us and every person that we meet is made in the image of God and will live forever. Wallace helps us think about that.
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