In David Foster Wallace’s speech “This is Water” he addresses the topic of education. Wallace talks about education having a deeper meaning than just knowledge, stating that education can free individuals mentally and help one live out his or her days with more purpose. Through training one’s mind to think, listening to others’ views on topics, and focusing one’s thoughts on important topics, education is the key to making day-to-day life less repetitive.

The first time Wallace uses the word “education” is in the third paragraph where he states, “liberal arts education is not so much about filling you up with knowledge as it is about quote teaching you how to think” (Wallace XI).  In this context, his definition of education is rather literal, stating that education teaches one how to think and is not just knowledge. If one uses his or her time thinking about irrelevant topics or purely the topics that society focuses on, then the education one strives for could go to waste. Wallace strengthens this argument by saying “education is about the choice of what to think about” (XI). This “choice” is what society today struggles with, getting caught up in irrelevant news that does not aid in the development of critical thinking. One has to create and contemplate their own opinion on issues, not base his or her decision on a television show that aired on the news the previous evening. The freedom of thought that education gives oneself is the real gain from education, and it is up to the individual receiving the knowledge to use it correctly. Wallace expresses education in this context rather literally, stating that it teaches one how to think, opposed to the common conception that knowledge is the only gain from education. He uses this idea of the common conception to help aid in the point he is trying to get across, which is that education is so much more than what the common person may think. Wallace goes on to explain in the end of the third paragraph how if one cannot choose to assess their environment around them, then they will not be able to think of a solution as to how to make it better or more enjoyable. Knowing how to critically think is absolutely essential in order to make life less repetitive.  

Several paragraphs later, Wallace refers to education as the ability “to be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my uncertainties” (XII).  In this instance education is more symbolic. He talks about education giving him the ability to listen and respect other people’s opinions, whether he agrees with them or not. Uneducated individuals, or those educated persons who do not exercise critical thinking, can often become stubborn and narrow minded. Wallace is referring to education in this instance as the key tool to help with social interaction, and that education allows individuals to have more in depth and real conversations with one another. This is a different meaning from several paragraphs prior where he referred to education in a more literal sense, stating that it is the ability to teach one how to think. Wallace focuses in this paragraph on the fact that not a single person knows everything about every topic, meaning that it is advantageous to listen to others’ opinions and ideas to see what one could gain from the experience. Through learning another’s way of thinking, one could possibly adapt their thinking style in the future in order to aid in the completion of one’s own mind. This will aid in the ultimate goal of making one’s life less repetitive, as one could adopt traditions or ideas from another person.

A few paragraphs later, Wallace refers to education as being a means to escape the daily routine by saying, “(a)nd I submit that this is what the real, no bullshit value of your liberal arts education is supposed to be about; how to keep you from going through your comfortable, prosperous, respectable adult life dead, unconscious, a slave to your head and to your natural default setting of being uniquely, completely, imperially alone day in and day out” (XIII).  In this powerful statement Wallace uses education as symbolizing a wrecking ball; breaking down the barriers of boring thought and the normal routine in order to allow one’s mind to focus on more important topics or issues. This mental image of the wrecking ball is portrayed when Wallace states “getting free of my natural, hard wired default setting” (XIII). It paints the picture of his brain smashing out of his daily routine for the first time and continuing his path to learn how to think fully.

 Later in the paragraph, Wallace expands on the idea that educated people can, “adjust their natural default settings” which he says are to go in accordance with society and what society wants people to think (XIII). This idea of adjusting one’s default settings is an attribute he or she can acquire primarily through education. Often in life, days can start to blend together or become repetitive due to jobs or other obligations, but that will only happen if one lets it become that way. Wallace tells the reader that due to education one can avoid this repetitive default setting. Whether it be thinking about useful information in his example of being stuck in a traffic jam after a long day of work, or simply becoming a more positive thinker in times which can try one’s patience. In either situation, wasting time thinking about trite and unimportant issues will not help develop one’s mind further. Developing one’s mind is critical to make day-to-day life less repetitive. Without new and growing knowledge one could lose their desire to make a change in their life, forcing them into the trap that is the daily routine. Wallace exclaims that education is a means to change one’s lifestyle, meaning that through the education one learns in their life, he or she can use this information to gear one’s mind toward what is important. Topics such as the long grocery line that Wallace mentions earlier in the paragraph do not become a factor once one can train their brain correctly. He expands on the idea of how this new positive type of thinking can start to become automatic, and that before long, one will become a positive thinker without even meaning to. This way of thinking is something that can change one’s outlook on life and help “break out of the routine” and spice up one’s day.

Through Wallace’s many different definitions of education one can learn how important it truly is. This can be in a more literal sense, such as teaching one how to think, or in a more symbolic sense, such as a tool to aid in social interaction. Whether it be training one’s mind to think, listening to other’s views on topics and traditions, or focusing on topics that aid in critical thinking, education is essential to spice up the day-to-day routine. The different definitions of education helped create a fuller understanding of the point that Wallace was trying to portray. This point was to stay active and excited throughout one’s day-to-day routine, while also trying to avoid falling into the boring routine that so many adults do. Wallace was also attempting to guide the reader into using their education for something more than just a dead end job. In the closing of his speech, Wallace exclaims and urges the audience to use education to be aware of what is real and essential in life. Through education there is no limit to what an individual can achieve. 