One reference to flossing in a graduation speech.

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David Foster Wallace delivered his famous speech, "This Is Water," at the Kenyon College commencement in 2005. It has become one of the most celebrated and widely-read graduation speeches of all time for its profound insight into the nature of awareness, empathy, and the choices we make in daily life.

Key Themes of "This Is Water"

1. Awareness and Perception

Wallace begins with a parable about two young fish swimming along who encounter an older fish asking, "How's the water?" The younger fish don't understand the concept of water, symbolizing how humans often fail to recognize the "default settings" of their minds or the environment around them.

2. Default Settings and Self-Centeredness

Wallace explains how people are naturally wired to see the world from their own perspective, often assuming they are the center of the universe. This self-centeredness can lead to frustration, entitlement, and a lack of empathy.

3. Choice of Perspective

The heart of the speech revolves around the idea that individuals can choose how to think. In life's mundane and frustrating moments—like standing in line at a grocery store or dealing with traffic—one can either feel annoyed and bitter, or consciously choose to empathize and see the bigger picture.

4. The Banality of Adult Life

Wallace uses everyday examples like standing in checkout lines, navigating traffic, and even flossing to illustrate the "unsexy" realities of adulthood. He highlights how these moments, though tedious, are opportunities to exercise control over how we think and feel.

5. Freedom Through Awareness

Real freedom, Wallace argues, comes from being aware of the world beyond oneself and making intentional choices about how to think and respond. This mindfulness allows us to live meaningful lives rather than passively reacting to circumstances.

Memorable Quotes

• "This is water."

A reminder to recognize the obvious realities around us that we often take for granted.

• "The only thing that's capital-T True is that you get to decide how you're going to try to see it."

Wallace emphasizes the power of choosing one's perspective.

• "The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day."

This underscores the importance of empathy and intentional living.

Impact and Legacy

The speech was published posthumously in book form as This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life. It has since been regarded as a modern classic in commencement speeches, praised for its honesty and practical wisdom.