There is something perversely beautiful and sad about being obsessed with a speech that may just be one of humanities very best justifications for life, spoken so eloquently and passionately and earnestly and sincerely by someone who took theirs.
As someone with some similarities of experience, I think the reason he expresses it so well is that these are the arguments he used to survive so long despite everything forcing him away from survival. I offer the idea that he’s extra remarkable because of just how long he managed to survive the torture of having been in the inescapable claws of suicideation. I’ve mostly broken free most of the time. But I’m so lucky to have a psych provider who has returned me to meds that help, and lucky that those meds still work for me. If that wasn’t the case, I’d still be fighting to survive despite the torture he knew so well.
@@grayautumnday I live with suicidal ideation and my brother died by suicide. I wish to not judge people who have died by suicide, though my mind does move in that direction at times. Mostly, I simply regret deaths by suicide, and try to recall that feeling when I contemplate taking my own life and feel gratitude for my psychiatric care. I try to think of DFW's contributions and not what we lost when he died. I wish you well.
I sat in the third row for this speech and it hits me harder with each passing year. I knew it was incredible right then but my appreciation for him has only deepened with time. Deep gratitude is due to Meredith Farmer and Chris Bench for getting him to give the comm speech for our class
I was always curious what it would've been like to be in attendance during this speech. Would you mind sharing what made you, in the moment, recognize that you were witnessing something special? Glad to hear that it has stuck with you all this time - It's something I often print out and give to my classes.
After having revisited this speech every few months for years I recently got my first tattoo: “This is water” on my right wrist. Sometimes it’s what I need to decide to keep living
Wallace is correct, we all start out as children and we are the center of our world. BUT, through life experiences and with critical thinking hopefully we evolve from a "ME" version to a "WE" version and realize that WE are all humans on the same journey together and we should help each other to make that journey worth having...
The really hopeless victims of mental illness are to be found among those who appear to be most normal. "Many of them are normal because they are so well adjusted to our mode of existence, because their human voice has been silenced so early in their lives, that they do not even struggle or suffer or develop symptoms as the neurotic does." They are normal not in what may be called the absolute sense of the word; they are normal only in relation to a profoundly abnormal society. Their perfect adjustment to that abnormal society is a measure of their mental sickness. These millions of abnormally normal people, living without fuss in a society to which, if they were fully human beings, they ought not to be adjusted, still cherish "the illusion of individuality," but in fact they have been to a great extent deindividualized. Their conformity is developing into something like uniformity. But "uniformity and freedom are incompatible. Uniformity and mental health are incompatible too. . . . Man is not made to be an automaton, and if he becomes one, the basis for mental health is destroyed.
WARNING: When the text stops- TAKE YOUR HEADPHONES OUT because the end is not subtitled, but hidden or censored by a xylophone that starts like a child attempting dubstep without a climax-build or drop. This is what David Foster Wallace closed with- "Awareness of what is so real and essential. So hidden in plain sight all around us all the time that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over... this is water, this is water. It is unimaginably hard to do this; to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out. Which mean yet another grand cliche turns out to be true. Your education really is the job of a lifetime. And it commences... now! I wish you way more than luck!"
One of my college professors assigned us this speech to listen to and discuss. I'm so grateful for it because this is probably one of the best speeches that was ever given.
It gets really dark when he talked about how people who commit suicide are dead long before they kill themselves when you realize that he would eventually kill himself.
What a beautiful, honest, magnificent speech. And so crushingly sad, that he himself couldn't break out of his own skull-shaped kingdom. How far he had come, yet not quite far enough... 🥺
Truly it’s all about perspective. Either one’s perspective is earthbound/physical or mountainous/spiritual. One gives limited insight while the other has vision that SEES the big picture. In the end, love is all that matters.
i come back to this speech, almsot every month. there's something profound about the idea of looking at life beyond your own less, and it's easy to say in theory, but thoroughly much harder to do in real life. this remains on of the best sppeches i've ever heard.
To me this speech means a lot on many levels. I also feel the numbness at times of still being alive and yes, we can’t help but be the center of our universe. For we are truly alone. We can connect on certain energies, but those fade in and out. We can love and understand deeply outside of ourselves but the fact remains we are still utterly alone. The older you become the more you realize it. The truth will not set you free. It will drive you insane , or cause you to exit the planet.
David Foster Wallace provided a excellent speech and insight. To quote "to try to explain why the degree you are about to receive has actual human value instead of just material payoff." I feel although I can relate to this.
Year after year I find myself listening and reading this speech again and again and every time it strikes me more. I'm not surely there yet and whenever I feel that I'm failing I come back and find the strength to keep trying. Thank you DFW!
have you guys learn nothing? stop complaining about the people laughing at his speech. It was not meant to be entirely comedic but that doesn't mean he didn't intend some things to make people laugh. Have you considered that these people are at a graduation ceremony and living one of the happiest moments of their lives? Instead of letting your mind wander into cycles of hating these people, how about you concentrate in what this man is saying and maybe YOU wouldn't miss the point. But whatever, maybe you're one of the many people who can't read social cues and I'm being to hard.
I remember I had to annotate this speech for an alternate assignment in my Comp 1 class and I’m so glad I did. This speech left me in awe. Months after, I still think abt everything said in this speech bc everything Wallace says is so applicable. Especially his explanation on how naturally selfish human beings are. A quote that stuck with me is him mentioning how the brain of someone who is suicidal is already mentally dead long before they pull the trigger. Referencing the brain as a “terrible master”. It’s incredibly true and heartbreaking. RIP Wallace 🕊️❤
Thank you for the high quality subbing and the care put into it. I've looked around and as of now you've done the most beautiful work of it. Such a beautiful speech definitely deserves to be heard over and over again and understood in detail.
You can see the same problem David had with the reception of infinite jest in some of the reactions the crowd has to his story here. Especially when he talks about the line of giant gas guzzling SUVs with patriotic emblems. You can hear everyone cheering and clapping like a Bill Maher audience. David is trying to get people to empathize with the sad horror of peoples lives, but nearly everyone has this defense mechanism of finding the human tragedy funny.
I think he got to them there though. He caught them red handed and then basically chastised them in the nicest and least patronising way possible, so to speak.
@@earnthis1 Society is made up of individuals. Imagine if we all took the time to talk to and ask why people think the way they do. In my experience, trying to insult and force your viewpoint onto others only makes them want to push harder against you. The only chance you have to get someone to reconsider their views is if you come to the table as equals. Don’t assume you know everything because you don’t. Rather just share your thoughts and let them share theirs without jumping down their throat. Be respectful and don’t patronize. I think that’s why he repeated over and over that he’s not trying to tell people how to think, just offering it as something to think about. Slight difference that makes all the difference when you actually want people to hear what you’re saying instead of making them raise their defenses. Just a thought 😉
I know this won't be a popular comment, but here it is. I happen to love going to the grocery store. No, I wasn't once starving or deprived. And no, I'm not an emotional eater. It's just a place I always feel happy and relaxed. The bright, fluorescent lighting feels cheerful to me, especially on cold, dark nights in February. Here's something else I think: David saw life through the filter of depression. I'm no psychologist, but his bone-grey impression of daily adult life makes this clear. His challenge was that, no matter how brilliant you are, you cannot think your way out of depression. In fact, the more you try, the more overwhelmed you become, until it's the water you don't know you're swimming in. Raising consciousness, seeking the Truth, transcending a self-centered orientation---ideally, a liberal arts education triggers epiphanies about the value of each. I know mine did. But it was likely David Foster Wallace's disconnection from his own illogical truths and deepest feelings that generated the dark worldview---and even the beautiful humanistic vision he offered here could not save him.
I saw it differently, he says over and over we have a choice of what to think, and not get caught up that you have it the worst. I make a habit of taking to people in line, with a smile. It’s a choice.
The personal status of the messenger does not change the message. I too like to wander around a grocery store and look at the colorful stuff, people watch, and wonder what their story is, but I made that intentional choice some years ago, in part based on this.
@@kevinkeelan354 I mean I already feel shook. I feel like his words piece together the fundamental rules of psychology and how we function (or maybe more accurately are dysfunctional) as a society
I find it sad that all these people laugh at this like its a story but what they dont realize is that it is true. I took it from a serious note and damn.. very insightful.
You can't blame them for laughing. The humor was there and deliberately so. When he described the maddening ceremony of going to the supermarket during rush hour, I'm sure he wanted to hear people respond with laughter. He wanted to entertain the students on their day of graduation and obviously he was wary of playing the "wise old fish" explaining the world to the little ones. But as the speech goes on, you hear less and less chuckles in the audience, because everybody seems to realize how profound and earnest the speech really is. That's one of the reasons I love it so much.
I have to submit a response paper to this in 2 hours. Does this sound good/make sense? This speech reminds me of my own life experience. I grew up as a conservative, Republican Christian. I have more experience with my white half than my Black half. I was so sure that what I was taught was correct that I arrogantly and angrily refused to listen to other opinions, perspectives, and beliefs. It took years and a lot of work to learn to question my own beliefs enough, and in the right way, that I was able to consider other beliefs, life experiences, and realities. I was forced to change everything I knew about the world and chose to fight my initial instincts to be able to imagine someone else's reality. For example, when the line at McDonald's is taking too long, I have to repeat myself five times, and they still get my order wrong and don't seem to care at all, I have to remind myself that, "They're not paid enough to care. They're probably exhausted and frustrated and don't want to be there. There are better things they could be doing for $10 an hour." I don't think that a formal education can really teach you everything you need to know to think about other people with empathy and to see the world beyond yourself. You can't take a test or do a project that will create that empathy or force you to think about your impact on the world and the people around you. This is something that can only come from life and experience and being around people who are different from you and being open to being wrong. A person can only learn what they are open to learning, and no college can do that for someone.
This is that good, that the writers of Netflix' 'Messiah' based a character very loosely on him, but more tellingly, used some of this narrative withing the series. "Everybody worships. The only choice we get it what to worship"
why is no one talking about his death? i found the speech from twitter and absolutely loved it! i read up on Mr. Wallace and it made me very sad he had to reach that stage in his mind! 🥺
Major depression can wear anyone down until they simply want it to end. Like he counseled us to do, I choose to think the situation was such that he was simply overwhelmed.
He wanted off those anti-depressant drugs they'd put him on for over two decades. He said they were blocking his creativity. He couldn't work. He couldn't write. He took himself off those drugs, and then he found himself in a terrible way of not being able to continue anything at all. He was so tormented. He left us a treasure trove of thought, humor, sadness in his many works, but I regret every day that there is nothing else coming our way from one of the most brilliant minds we had amongst us. I really miss him. This speech grows with more meaning everytime I listen to it, especially with what we are facing today that had not yet surfaced in 2005 but was on its way.....
I think David wouldn't want us to focus on his physical death, rather, focus on the big picture of how we make meaning in the world. Obviously it's sad and tragic, but at least we have his works Also, I don't think he would have been very comfortable in today's Big Data managed world which doesn't lend itself to quiet thinking, reflection, and developing ideas over time in a mature way.
Finding the reason why am I alive starts with asking a simple question. Why? The answer is I am… on a journey. Part of the correct answer is What. WIIIFM. What is in it for me. The joy is in the fun of discovering of the what is Life. ❤️🧐🙏
I wish I could listen to this without the sitcom-like laughing and clapping. DFW was explaining, in detail, how horrific the human experience truly is in a “it’s not funny” way. It’s near depressing how the audience found it entertaining rather than eye-opening because DFW opened the door to reality for them. Incredible commencement speech.
It can be both. In fact, DFW was really good at bookending these great epiphanies with black humor, and it seems clear to me that this was meant both to amuse and inspire. A spoonful of sugar blah blah blah-
This speech, words to live by, should be mandatory for every college student NOW, not just at graduation. Also for every parent to help in the guidance of a child or neighbor’s child. Teaching HOW to think, that is where we are losing free speech, the consequences of not having free thinking and free expression. “It will eat you up!”
One of the most influential talks I have ever heard of. I am the definition of the of a young fish who pretends to be an old fish. It makes me want to grab my younger relatives who are smart or at least pretend to be smart and shake them into reality: I was a smart young man who convinced himself he was smart or wise fish and even with my grades, compliments and ego, I am constantly reminded of how much more I have to learn and that even the most cliche bits of elderly truth are sadly the most important. Drinking lots of water, stretching, reading, getting lots of sleep, preserving friendships, and trying new things. They are so generic and we here them so often even from homeless drug addicts that we are so quick to dismiss them. And unfortunately it’s not until your 30-40s that this usually starts to sink in. Despite all your gifts and positive influences, and maybe because of them, you think you know enough at the age of 17. And if you are told you are smart enough and hear enough old fogeys say the same thing, you start to dismiss it. For the most part you don’t want to believe you have anything to learn from a rambling hobo or old bag lady, and yet you will still probably get at least 5 universal facts about valuing life that you have even heard said by people you actually respect. And in all likelihood whether your dad loved you or were accepted into Harvard, you still probably won’t begin to appreciate the advice until your 40s. You aren’t smart enough to know everything, and it actually takes humility through real life experience to even start to scratch the surface of wisdom. What I took from his talk was that even if God himself deemed you the smartest person to ever live, you would still be foolish and arrogant to not try to take any advice you were given. There has pretty much never been a person alive who didn’t learn something new the next day, and if you weren’t aware of that then you probably aren’t as smart as you think
This is a very great speech. That is evident to anyone who, because we're all here to listen to it, has chosen to come here and listen to it intently. However I cannot ignore the laughs throughout the whole speech, and specifically at times the timing of the laughs. Maybe it's just because of their age back then, and maybe he was giving the speech aware that the fact that made that speech pertinent would mean that some laughs would be heard at times, but he is telling no joke, and these "qualified" people not understanding or trying to playout the false attempts to lighten the mood gives off a eerie and not so hopeful, as these celebrations usually are, vibe. Absolute great message from a very sensitive and perceptive guy. Control your thoughts, control your energy and vibration, if you like, channel your attention to things that matter and are beautiful or constructive or pleasent, and like so cast misery and frustration away, and find happiness and tranquility, and, as a result, you'll also be a positive influence on others and the world around you.
Thank you for this beautiful speech and message. I'm not sure that I can do all that my liberal arts education, obtained a million years ago, expects of me or what you are telling me to contemplate. But i shall try. (Maybe)
@@alastairwest5200 oh that's just two separate things. You say this now, but he wasn't dead at the time, and I don't think that his suicide takes any meaning from what he says... but that may be the case for others.
@@alastairwest5200 suicide or not, it's still one of the best commencement speeches (or just speeches) ever... so much info presented in such small amount of time, in that deep, funny and insightful way... don't know how many pepople can pull that off so easiley, and effortlessly, he doesn't even sound too smart nor too complex.
Really great speech and its message is very similar to the message from the book Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Consciousness is really all we ever have, and the most important thing any of us can do is to work to exercise control over the contents of consciousness.
For anyone wondering this version misses part of the intro and outro that are some of the most important parts of the speech. I suggest finding a different version with the full speech for better context
The laughter at some of the more poignant moments that call for contemplation is a reminder that even graduates from a most prestigious university aren't necessary really wise, at least not in their early 20s. I guess that's the point of commencemnt speeches. particularly this one? A commencement into the real hard stuff. The choices we must make for ourselves now...
Yeah, but you can choose to think about how you see those moments. These people probably got up early, had to drive around, had to deal with finding parking and finding seats and sat through a bunch of commencement bullshit. They hear something that is framed as both relatable and repulsive and then react to it, without being able to be with it for a moment and explore it. We're not there, and we can pause and read and revisit and no one will talk about our comments in a few years, but the people sitting there are breathing humans who react to stimulus in ways that are unpredictable and not necessarily reflective of their alignment, you know?
@@bent.5062 nope I don’t. Also your post is tedious. Whittle it down and maybe it’ll at least have the impact of a dust mote settling. It’s really hard to listen to what someone says, when it’s clear that all they are trying to say is “look how smart I am.” DFW attracts a great many like that ;)
11:11 In recent decades, humanity (my bias is American, yes) has received some reminders and wake-ups that we are mortal and, as such, are no better or worse than anyone else. We are frail. We all bleed. Seems like most everyone is looking for a safe place to live and enough stimulation and sense of accomplishment to feel satisfied and engaged. I'm grateful for those who helped me learn gratitude, and for the awareness that finding joy in existing-- in being and being *aware* -- provides the greatest returns for my investment.
I like the talk, but I REALLY like the subtitle style. I'd love to steal it. Does anyone know if the style is called "BIG subtitles" or are they just emphasizing big? I'm interested in the breaks and the color really more so then the large size, though the large size helps.
I don't know what is it that the west will ever settle upon. What Mr. Wallace says here, in a rather long explanation, is what J. Krishnamurti has mostly emphasised upon. I love David's honesty after hearing this, and I'm intrigued to read some book by him. What would you folks say is his most honest book?
Honestly I expected more comments like.yours. I find this way of thinking or mindset reflects or ist based on Eastern philossophy be it Hindu or Buddhist. And expressed by a western mind ... - elegantly. of course but how would Eastern philossophers answer? 'Selfcenteredness' ist the cage Buddhist Meditation wants to break free from since thousands of years....
Hindus and buddhists dont have a monopoly on collective and compassionate thinking. Before they were marshalled in military and political frame, all great religions were oneness, helping each other out and so on. Tired of this almost fetish of eastern religions
I think it is true that if you don't have time to consider any of this because you are too busy living, and that living at least seems a benefit to yourself and others, none of this "stuff" is needed. Many have lived and died a benefit to the world and paved the way for our lucky moral and physical situations on no more than shallow religious understanding ... and / or MISunderstanding... or ignorance of (willfully or not) the nasty religious bits and keeping what suited them). Anyway, we should not disregard the idea that keeping busy holds the devil at bay, and is a major lesson from David's own life and so many others.
This was basically a guidebook or philosophy to counter the stultifying effects that is caused by being a cog that of which is serving in the greater system or machine known as society. Such a genius, at a time when genius was rapidly declining. Was he a martyr or a suicidal lunatic? Well, I guess God will have to be the judge of that.
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There is something perversely beautiful and sad about being obsessed with a speech that may just be one of humanities very best justifications for life, spoken so eloquently and passionately and earnestly and sincerely by someone who took theirs.
Extremely well written my friend. This speech is beyond everything.
Perversely??
As someone with some similarities of experience, I think the reason he expresses it so well is that these are the arguments he used to survive so long despite everything forcing him away from survival.
I offer the idea that he’s extra remarkable because of just how long he managed to survive the torture of having been in the inescapable claws of suicideation.
I’ve mostly broken free most of the time. But I’m so lucky to have a psych provider who has returned me to meds that help, and lucky that those meds still work for me. If that wasn’t the case, I’d still be fighting to survive despite the torture he knew so well.
Well said, young man
@@grayautumnday I live with suicidal ideation and my brother died by suicide. I wish to not judge people who have died by suicide, though my mind does move in that direction at times. Mostly, I simply regret deaths by suicide, and try to recall that feeling when I contemplate taking my own life and feel gratitude for my psychiatric care. I try to think of DFW's contributions and not what we lost when he died. I wish you well.
I sat in the third row for this speech and it hits me harder with each passing year. I knew it was incredible right then but my appreciation for him has only deepened with time. Deep gratitude is due to Meredith Farmer and Chris Bench for getting him to give the comm speech for our class
Damn, man. I'm sure it keeps hitting harder. Its potent and infinite.
Hello sir, can you please give me a summary of what he says please because i didnt understand anything
I was always curious what it would've been like to be in attendance during this speech. Would you mind sharing what made you, in the moment, recognize that you were witnessing something special? Glad to hear that it has stuck with you all this time - It's something I often print out and give to my classes.
What year is this speech from?
@@edurado1996 2005
After having revisited this speech every few months for years I recently got my first tattoo: “This is water” on my right wrist. Sometimes it’s what I need to decide to keep living
That’s cool. Please keep living 🙏
Your tattoo is just ridiculous.
@@FIshfood500 why?
Hey fea pratt what is it that you understand from that saying?
My dad killed himself 2 weeks after I shared this speech with him. Your words give me tears of joy and immense sadness.
That’s a beautiful tattoo
He didn't save himself but he's had something to do with my still being here. My 15 year old son has always had a present father and that feels great.
Hey Blake, your comment caused me complex emotions and tears. Thank you for being and sharing and let me know if you ever want to chat!
This was legitimately one of the best speeches I've ever listened to.
Same
Wallace is correct, we all start out as children and we are the center of our world. BUT, through life experiences and with critical thinking hopefully we evolve from a "ME" version to a "WE" version and realize that WE are all humans on the same journey together and we should help each other to make that journey worth having...
"Me
We."
- Muhammad Ali -
Ok, but why be depressed, then..?
Dana Swan If you’re interested, check out The Courage to Be Disliked by Kishimi & Koga
5 second rule 🙄
Unfortunately not true of so many Americans as evidenced in the last few years. and still growing :(
What an incredibly beautiful heart. Rest In Peace, my friend.
" It's no measure of health to be well adjusted to a sick society." It felt appropriate to post this quote under this speech...
Extraordinary quote, under a lifelong-lasting speech.
The really hopeless victims of mental illness are to be found among those who appear to be most normal. "Many of them are normal because they are so well adjusted to our mode of existence, because their human voice has been silenced so early in their lives, that they do not even struggle or suffer or develop symptoms as the neurotic does." They are normal not in what may be called the absolute sense of the word; they are normal only in relation to a profoundly abnormal society. Their perfect adjustment to that abnormal society is a measure of their mental sickness. These millions of abnormally normal people, living without fuss in a society to which, if they were fully human beings, they ought not to be adjusted, still cherish "the illusion of individuality," but in fact they have been to a great extent deindividualized. Their conformity is developing into something like uniformity. But "uniformity and freedom are incompatible. Uniformity and mental health are incompatible too. . . . Man is not made to be an automaton, and if he becomes one, the basis for mental health is destroyed.
WARNING: When the text stops- TAKE YOUR HEADPHONES OUT because the end is not subtitled, but hidden or censored by a xylophone that starts like a child attempting dubstep without a climax-build or drop. This is what David Foster Wallace closed with- "Awareness of what is so real and essential. So hidden in plain sight all around us all the time that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over... this is water, this is water. It is unimaginably hard to do this; to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out. Which mean yet another grand cliche turns out to be true. Your education really is the job of a lifetime. And it commences... now! I wish you way more than luck!"
yes, take your headphones... don't leave them on the plane
Just turn on CC.
Thanks
lololol that music threw me off, it's some Zoo Tycoon 2 type shit.
I came here after watching Soul. And It gives impact.
"You have choices".
same 😌
One of my college professors assigned us this speech to listen to and discuss. I'm so grateful for it because this is probably one of the best speeches that was ever given.
It gets really dark when he talked about how people who commit suicide are dead long before they kill themselves when you realize that he would eventually kill himself.
What a beautiful, honest, magnificent speech. And so crushingly sad, that he himself couldn't break out of his own skull-shaped kingdom. How far he had come, yet not quite far enough... 🥺
I've heard dozens of commencement speeches. This is the best I've ever heard.
Did you ever graduate?
@@miamivicemastermixer Clever. I worked for a University.
@@miamivicemastermixer LOL
Not only the best writer of my generation. This could be the most important speech I've ever heard. DFW. 💜
This has to be one of the most intellectual and well articulated speech. David foster Wallace has to be one of the greatest minds of the world
Just watched this for a writing assignment for my college class, and wow... that was incredible. what a way to start off freshman year, damn.
Truly it’s all about perspective. Either one’s perspective is earthbound/physical or mountainous/spiritual. One gives limited insight while the other has vision that SEES the big picture. In the end, love is all that matters.
Been coming back here for years and it always hits me as strongly as it did the first time I heard this speech. ❤
What a beautiful speech..... One of the biggest truths of life explained
Literally this is the only video, I can watch 1000+ times
I read this 10 years ago and always come back and listen. The subtitles are great. Such a beautiful speech.
i come back to this speech, almsot every month. there's something profound about the idea of looking at life beyond your own less, and it's easy to say in theory, but thoroughly much harder to do in real life. this remains on of the best sppeches i've ever heard.
The way he spoke is so perfect and beautiful, i can listen to it whole day , whole life ,,
To me this speech means a lot on many levels. I also feel the numbness at times of still being alive and yes, we can’t help but be the center of our universe. For we are truly alone. We can connect on certain energies, but those fade in and out. We can love and understand deeply outside of ourselves but the fact remains we are still utterly alone. The older you become the more you realize it. The truth will not set you free. It will drive you insane , or cause you to exit the planet.
Everything that rises must converge, and people are in our lives for *a reason, a season, or a lifetime* and we may not know for certain which.
Powerful and inspiring. 'We choose the world we live in.' - Thank you for adding the large subtitles.
David Foster Wallace was a brilliant thinker
David Foster Wallace provided a excellent speech and insight. To quote "to try to explain why the degree you are about to receive has actual human value instead of just material payoff." I feel although I can relate to this.
Year after year I find myself listening and reading this speech again and again and every time it strikes me more. I'm not surely there yet and whenever I feel that I'm failing I come back and find the strength to keep trying. Thank you DFW!
I am really thankful for sharing this impressive speech and for listing it up as one of the best speeches ever delivered in English.
Tough to argue. Essential and lucid
have you guys learn nothing? stop complaining about the people laughing at his speech. It was not meant to be entirely comedic but that doesn't mean he didn't intend some things to make people laugh. Have you considered that these people are at a graduation ceremony and living one of the happiest moments of their lives?
Instead of letting your mind wander into cycles of hating these people, how about you concentrate in what this man is saying and maybe YOU wouldn't miss the point. But whatever, maybe you're one of the many people who can't read social cues and I'm being to hard.
Yeah okay guy
Lol yeah it was a funny story! I doubt he didn’t mean it to be kind of funny
Very good and insightful speech, I liked the most the part when he was talking about our blindness to things which we have in front of us.
This speech with English subtitle helps us much to learn English. Thanks a lot for this channel
i needed this today. rest in eternal peace, David.
I remember I had to annotate this speech for an alternate assignment in my Comp 1 class and I’m so glad I did. This speech left me in awe. Months after, I still think abt everything said in this speech bc everything Wallace says is so applicable. Especially his explanation on how naturally selfish human beings are.
A quote that stuck with me is him mentioning how the brain of someone who is suicidal is already mentally dead long before they pull the trigger. Referencing the brain as a “terrible master”. It’s incredibly true and heartbreaking.
RIP Wallace 🕊️❤
I agree, we humans are always so stuck in our heads, when the most important things are right in front of us.
Thank you for the high quality subbing and the care put into it. I've looked around and as of now you've done the most beautiful work of it.
Such a beautiful speech definitely deserves to be heard over and over again and understood in detail.
It's depressing and cynical - and even more so when you realise that he went on to play God and take his own life...
@@alastairwest5200 how is encouraging people to be more aware in daily life depressing and cynical?
Having a mentor or Guru is a gift
This brought tears to my eyes unexpectedly
It’s time to ascend!
You can see the same problem David had with the reception of infinite jest in some of the reactions the crowd has to his story here. Especially when he talks about the line of giant gas guzzling SUVs with patriotic emblems. You can hear everyone cheering and clapping like a Bill Maher audience. David is trying to get people to empathize with the sad horror of peoples lives, but nearly everyone has this defense mechanism of finding the human tragedy funny.
I think he got to them there though. He caught them red handed and then basically chastised them in the nicest and least patronising way possible, so to speak.
Empathize with those that have no empathy. It's good to do in your personal life, but not a good idea in society.
Sometimes the only way to deal with the tragedy of human existence is to find the humor in it all.
@@earnthis1 im sorry you think this way. it saddens me.
@@earnthis1 Society is made up of individuals. Imagine if we all took the time to talk to and ask why people think the way they do. In my experience, trying to insult and force your viewpoint onto others only makes them want to push harder against you. The only chance you have to get someone to reconsider their views is if you come to the table as equals. Don’t assume you know everything because you don’t. Rather just share your thoughts and let them share theirs without jumping down their throat. Be respectful and don’t patronize.
I think that’s why he repeated over and over that he’s not trying to tell people how to think, just offering it as something to think about. Slight difference that makes all the difference when you actually want people to hear what you’re saying instead of making them raise their defenses. Just a thought 😉
The greatest speech I have ever heard.
Thank you David for sharing this Truth.
Great to have this to share with friends far and wide ...thanks.
谢谢🙏16岁的女儿和我分享这篇演讲的观后感。好欣慰，教育不止在课堂。
The fact they all clapped and said wooooo! Unbelieveable really.
I know this won't be a popular comment, but here it is. I happen to love going to the grocery store. No, I wasn't once starving or deprived. And no, I'm not an emotional eater. It's just a place I always feel happy and relaxed. The bright, fluorescent lighting feels cheerful to me, especially on cold, dark nights in February. Here's something else I think: David saw life through the filter of depression. I'm no psychologist, but his bone-grey impression of daily adult life makes this clear. His challenge was that, no matter how brilliant you are, you cannot think your way out of depression. In fact, the more you try, the more overwhelmed you become, until it's the water you don't know you're swimming in. Raising consciousness, seeking the Truth, transcending a self-centered orientation---ideally, a liberal arts education triggers epiphanies about the value of each. I know mine did. But it was likely David Foster Wallace's disconnection from his own illogical truths and deepest feelings that generated the dark worldview---and even the beautiful humanistic vision he offered here could not save him.
thank you for writing this
Well said
Often the advice we give others is that which we need the most
I saw it differently, he says over and over we have a choice of what to think, and not get caught up that you have it the worst. I make a habit of taking to people in line, with a smile. It’s a choice.
The personal status of the messenger does not change the message. I too like to wander around a grocery store and look at the colorful stuff, people watch, and wonder what their story is, but I made that intentional choice some years ago, in part based on this.
Thank you so much Gilberto! I'll listen to it over and over again to remind myself
Only with age does this resonate. These words would be wasted on me at 21.
I'm 15 and I'm vibing with it
Shane Tobin give it another 20 years and It goes to another level.
@@kevinkeelan354 I mean I already feel shook. I feel like his words piece together the fundamental rules of psychology and how we function (or maybe more accurately are dysfunctional) as a society
Shane Tobin go too deep and you end up in the same place as the great man himself. It’s not the healthiest mindset.
@@kevinkeelan354 I personally feel like his words can be taken in such a way that it makes you horrifically depressed or generally content.
Man I will forever be in debt to this video. I thank Hod this was put on my feed
This man was brilliant.
Extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue inside the head
My uni's dean shared this video via email and already on first hearing I am blown away by his words 👏
I find it sad that all these people laugh at this like its a story but what they dont realize is that it is true. I took it from a serious note and damn.. very insightful.
You can't blame them for laughing. The humor was there and deliberately so. When he described the maddening ceremony of going to the supermarket during rush hour, I'm sure he wanted to hear people respond with laughter. He wanted to entertain the students on their day of graduation and obviously he was wary of playing the "wise old fish" explaining the world to the little ones. But as the speech goes on, you hear less and less chuckles in the audience, because everybody seems to realize how profound and earnest the speech really is. That's one of the reasons I love it so much.
@@pedterson I didn't that that into account. Thanks
I cringed when they clapped at the wasteful cars with religious bumper stickers. Like they did not get it at all.
Earnest / depressed - what's the difference..? Especially when he went on to take his own life...
I agree with you.
Thank you Dave, your speech is dope!
The laws of human nature book talks of focusing on empathy and getting outside your head. We often think we are saints but are quite the opposite.
Meraviglioso. Commovente. Un gigante.
Thank you David! OM ANPU NEB-TA DJESER
thank you very much best English speeches for making this. you changed everything.
ultimate existentialist proposal What is real is only real when I am really with it
I have to submit a response paper to this in 2 hours. Does this sound good/make sense?
This speech reminds me of my own life experience. I grew up as a conservative, Republican Christian. I have more experience with my white half than my Black half. I was so sure that what I was taught was correct that I arrogantly and angrily refused to listen to other opinions, perspectives, and beliefs. It took years and a lot of work to learn to question my own beliefs enough, and in the right way, that I was able to consider other beliefs, life experiences, and realities. I was forced to change everything I knew about the world and chose to fight my initial instincts to be able to imagine someone else's reality. For example, when the line at McDonald's is taking too long, I have to repeat myself five times, and they still get my order wrong and don't seem to care at all, I have to remind myself that, "They're not paid enough to care. They're probably exhausted and frustrated and don't want to be there. There are better things they could be doing for $10 an hour." I don't think that a formal education can really teach you everything you need to know to think about other people with empathy and to see the world beyond yourself. You can't take a test or do a project that will create that empathy or force you to think about your impact on the world and the people around you. This is something that can only come from life and experience and being around people who are different from you and being open to being wrong. A person can only learn what they are open to learning, and no college can do that for someone.
best speech ever. that was awesome
This is that good, that the writers of Netflix' 'Messiah' based a character very loosely on him, but more tellingly, used some of this narrative withing the series. "Everybody worships. The only choice we get it what to worship"
why is no one talking about his death? i found the speech from twitter and absolutely loved it! i read up on Mr. Wallace and it made me very sad he had to reach that stage in his mind! 🥺
Major depression can wear anyone down until they simply want it to end. Like he counseled us to do, I choose to think the situation was such that he was simply overwhelmed.
@@drisgorilla5382 You're probably right and it's nice how you're using what you learned already :)
He wanted off those anti-depressant drugs they'd put him on for over two decades. He said they were blocking his creativity. He couldn't work. He couldn't write. He took himself off those drugs, and then he found himself in a terrible way of not being able to continue anything at all. He was so tormented. He left us a treasure trove of thought, humor, sadness in his many works, but I regret every day that there is nothing else coming our way from one of the most brilliant minds we had amongst us. I really miss him. This speech grows with more meaning everytime I listen to it, especially with what we are facing today that had not yet surfaced in 2005 but was on its way.....
I think David wouldn't want us to focus on his physical death, rather, focus on the big picture of how we make meaning in the world. Obviously it's sad and tragic, but at least we have his works Also, I don't think he would have been very comfortable in today's Big Data managed world which doesn't lend itself to quiet thinking, reflection, and developing ideas over time in a mature way.
Finding the reason why am I alive starts with asking a simple question. Why? The answer is I am… on a journey. Part of the correct answer is What. WIIIFM. What is in it for me. The joy is in the fun of discovering of the what is Life. ❤️🧐🙏
I wish I could listen to this without the sitcom-like laughing and clapping. DFW was explaining, in detail, how horrific the human experience truly is in a “it’s not funny” way. It’s near depressing how the audience found it entertaining rather than eye-opening because DFW opened the door to reality for them. Incredible commencement speech.
Maybe he was the old fish after all
It is entertaining. Youre making the pompous mistake of thinking youre the wise old fish
I find it rather fitting. I think of those people laughing as the "prisoner who doesn't even know he's locked up." Makes me sad for them
no, just being polite
It can be both. In fact, DFW was really good at bookending these great epiphanies with black humor, and it seems clear to me that this was meant both to amuse and inspire. A spoonful of sugar blah blah blah-
I never regretted re watching it
Wow!!! Mind-blowing....amazing...Thank you ..
This speech, words to live by, should be mandatory for every college student NOW, not just at graduation. Also for every parent to help in the guidance of a child or neighbor’s child. Teaching HOW to think, that is where we are losing free speech, the consequences of not having free thinking and free expression. “It will eat you up!”
One of the most influential talks I have ever heard of. I am the definition of the of a young fish who pretends to be an old fish.
It makes me want to grab my younger relatives who are smart or at least pretend to be smart and shake them into reality: I was a smart young man who convinced himself he was smart or wise fish and even with my grades, compliments and ego, I am constantly reminded of how much more I have to learn and that even the most cliche bits of elderly truth are sadly the most important.
Drinking lots of water, stretching, reading, getting lots of sleep, preserving friendships, and trying new things. They are so generic and we here them so often even from homeless drug addicts that we are so quick to dismiss them.
And unfortunately it’s not until your 30-40s that this usually starts to sink in. Despite all your gifts and positive influences, and maybe because of them, you think you know enough at the age of 17. And if you are told you are smart enough and hear enough old fogeys say the same thing, you start to dismiss it.
For the most part you don’t want to believe you have anything to learn from a rambling hobo or old bag lady, and yet you will still probably get at least 5 universal facts about valuing life that you have even heard said by people you actually respect.
And in all likelihood whether your dad loved you or were accepted into Harvard, you still probably won’t begin to appreciate the advice until your 40s.
You aren’t smart enough to know everything, and it actually takes humility through real life experience to even start to scratch the surface of wisdom.
What I took from his talk was that even if God himself deemed you the smartest person to ever live, you would still be foolish and arrogant to not try to take any advice you were given. There has pretty much never been a person alive who didn’t learn something new the next day, and if you weren’t aware of that then you probably aren’t as smart as you think
So, so, soooo TRUE !!! Thank you David.
This is a very great speech. That is evident to anyone who, because we're all here to listen to it, has chosen to come here and listen to it intently. However I cannot ignore the laughs throughout the whole speech, and specifically at times the timing of the laughs. Maybe it's just because of their age back then, and maybe he was giving the speech aware that the fact that made that speech pertinent would mean that some laughs would be heard at times, but he is telling no joke, and these "qualified" people not understanding or trying to playout the false attempts to lighten the mood gives off a eerie and not so hopeful, as these celebrations usually are, vibe. Absolute great message from a very sensitive and perceptive guy. Control your thoughts, control your energy and vibration, if you like, channel your attention to things that matter and are beautiful or constructive or pleasent, and like so cast misery and frustration away, and find happiness and tranquility, and, as a result, you'll also be a positive influence on others and the world around you.
Thank you for this beautiful speech and message. I'm not sure that I can do all that my liberal arts education, obtained a million years ago, expects of me or what you are telling me to contemplate. But i shall try. (Maybe)
Makes me cry every single
Time. I don’t know he killed himslef. How desperate and sad. What a wonderful human
Wow. This is like the spoken version of Nick Drake. Same feels.
interesting comparison
Couldn’t even believe his own words. Tragic. The cost of knowledge and understanding and tremendous sorrow and pain.
Experiences beliefs and their perspective shaping
Best commencement speech ever.
I found it quite depressing, actually...that he would go on to kill himself - hardly inspiring!!
@@alastairwest5200 oh that's just two separate things. You say this now, but he wasn't dead at the time, and I don't think that his suicide takes any meaning from what he says... but that may be the case for others.
@@alastairwest5200 suicide or not, it's still one of the best commencement speeches (or just speeches) ever... so much info presented in such small amount of time, in that deep, funny and insightful way... don't know how many pepople can pull that off so easiley, and effortlessly, he doesn't even sound too smart nor too complex.
Surely with his fine intellect, he could have come up with something other than suicide..?
@@alastairwest5200 depression is stronger than any intellect.
Thank you, David
we deify that which we can not grasp or package - sometimes for the better - often times for the worse
Powerful speech, thank you very much!
Really great speech and its message is very similar to the message from the book Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Consciousness is really all we ever have, and the most important thing any of us can do is to work to exercise control over the contents of consciousness.
For anyone wondering this version misses part of the intro and outro that are some of the most important parts of the speech. I suggest finding a different version with the full speech for better context
Huh
RIP David Foster Wallace 1962-2008
Como ex suicida y narcisista en recuperación me parece que este discurso lo escribió para el mismo, que hermosas palabras…
Actualización; las ganas de suicidarme han vuelto pero espero librarla como en el pasado
I love speeches with subtitles
The laughter at some of the more poignant moments that call for contemplation is a reminder that even graduates from a most prestigious university aren't necessary really wise, at least not in their early 20s. I guess that's the point of commencemnt speeches. particularly this one? A commencement into the real hard stuff. The choices we must make for ourselves now...
Good point!
Yeah, but you can choose to think about how you see those moments. These people probably got up early, had to drive around, had to deal with finding parking and finding seats and sat through a bunch of commencement bullshit. They hear something that is framed as both relatable and repulsive and then react to it, without being able to be with it for a moment and explore it. We're not there, and we can pause and read and revisit and no one will talk about our comments in a few years, but the people sitting there are breathing humans who react to stimulus in ways that are unpredictable and not necessarily reflective of their alignment, you know?
@@bent.5062 nope I don’t. Also your post is tedious. Whittle it down and maybe it’ll at least have the impact of a dust mote settling.
It’s really hard to listen to what someone says, when it’s clear that all they are trying to say is “look how smart I am.” DFW attracts a great many like that ;)
Self-centeredness
See and interpret everything through this lens of self
A journey toward well-adjusted
Limited communication with the universe
11:11 In recent decades, humanity (my bias is American, yes) has received some reminders and wake-ups that we are mortal and, as such, are no better or worse than anyone else. We are frail. We all bleed. Seems like most everyone is looking for a safe place to live and enough stimulation and sense of accomplishment to feel satisfied and engaged.
I'm grateful for those who helped me learn gratitude, and for the awareness that finding joy in existing-- in being and being *aware* -- provides the greatest returns for my investment.
"of course none of this is likely, but it's also not impossible. It just depends what you want to consider. "
An inspirational speech!
I like the talk, but I REALLY like the subtitle style. I'd love to steal it. Does anyone know if the style is called "BIG subtitles" or are they just emphasizing big? I'm interested in the breaks and the color really more so then the large size, though the large size helps.
The fact that he thinks he's not the "wise old fish," made more so
Those kids laughing at the beginning. They had no idea where that was leading or the wisdom he was throwing down.
Im an english native but still love this video format
im not an english native and i love it more than you do
@@reneperez2126 I think your missing the point
I don't know what is it that the west will ever settle upon.
What Mr. Wallace says here, in a rather long explanation, is what J. Krishnamurti has mostly emphasised upon.
I love David's honesty after hearing this, and I'm intrigued to read some book by him.
What would you folks say is his most honest book?
Infinite Jest.
Honestly I expected more comments like.yours. I find this way of thinking or mindset reflects or ist based on Eastern philossophy be it Hindu or Buddhist. And expressed by a western mind ... - elegantly. of course but how would Eastern philossophers answer?
'Selfcenteredness' ist the cage Buddhist Meditation wants to break free from since thousands of years....
Hindus and buddhists dont have a monopoly on collective and compassionate thinking. Before they were marshalled in military and political frame, all great religions were oneness, helping each other out and so on. Tired of this almost fetish of eastern religions
Anyone reading this: I hope you are well.
We are great, thank you. We are water ;)
I am thank you for thinking of others
I think it is true that if you don't have time to consider any of this because you are too busy living, and that living at least seems a benefit to yourself and others, none of this "stuff" is needed. Many have lived and died a benefit to the world and paved the way for our lucky moral and physical situations on no more than shallow religious understanding ... and / or MISunderstanding... or ignorance of (willfully or not) the nasty religious bits and keeping what suited them).
Anyway, we should not disregard the idea that keeping busy holds the devil at bay, and is a major lesson from David's own life and so many others.
This was basically a guidebook or philosophy to counter the stultifying effects that is caused by being a cog that of which is serving in the greater system or machine known as society. Such a genius, at a time when genius was rapidly declining. Was he a martyr or a suicidal lunatic? Well, I guess God will have to be the judge of that.
Wow! He is so smart!
This is a very insightful, raw speech! Thanks Mel Robbins #mindsetreset for pointing me to this.
Same here..
these comments are hella sentimental. I adore it