    “This Is Water” was unlike any other stereotypical commencement speech. David Foster Wallace does not hold back anything, diving head first into real adult life and the challenges that come with it. He approaches his rhetorical thesis of selflessness and mental stability from his personal experiences. In his speech, he talks about compassion, respect, discipline, self-control, meaning of life and self-awareness. Wallace repeatedly uses the phrases “natural default setting," and “learning how to think,” (14CR) to convey the overall theme of being in control of your mental view on the real world. 

    Wallace uses the phrase “natural default setting” (12)  nine times throughout his commencement speech. The definition of the term is unveiled in the first usage. Wallace is explaining how we as humans are wired. The human brain is an intricate central processor that has many different setting. The trick is learning how to control and manage these settings. The “natural default setting,” is indeed natural in and of its self. We as humans are genetically engineered to believe that each one of us is the center of our personal universe. Everything we do must revolve around us. Wallace gives us real life examples of our “natural default setting”. Simple everyday things such as watching TV, using a cell phone, or even just driving; they are all “YOURS” (12). However, we never see ourselves as being egocentric, because the society in which we live in looks down upon this trait. It is nearly impossible not to be a self-centered human being. 

    The other phrase that David Foster Wallace uses in this speech is, “learning how to think” (12). The phrase is ironic because you would never think about “learning how to think”. Wallace discusses how the only way to “rewire” your “natural default setting”, is to be more manual with how you think. Once you learn how to see the world through a different lens, then you can slowly start to control your settings. By settings, I mean the way you perceive different situations in the day-to-day adult life. Wallace explains that the odds are not in our favor. However, it is not impossible to survive the mind vs. reality battle that we call life. The majority of humans become slaves to their minds without even realizing it. The task of “learning how to think,” is a daunting task, it takes self-discipline and determination. The most important detail that must be obeyed to  “rewire” the “natural default setting,” is mental flexibility. Mental flexibility is essential because you have to be able to adapt and adjust to your surroundings in life. You have to be able to alter your “natural default setting,” to not become a mental slave. Wallace states that people who are “well adjusted” (12) have some control over their “natural default setting.” Those who can not learn how “drive” their minds manually are consumed by their “natural default setting.”

    The two different phrases, “natural default setting,” and “learning how to think,” are liberally used throughout this commencement speech. Wallace uses the repetition of these phrases and connects them to everyday situations, to convey how our minds work. Wallace discusses how to escape reality. The phrase “natural default setting,” was  used side-by-side with 

“learning how to think.” Wallace flawlessly ties the two phrases together to work with each other.  The author uses these phrases together to link the real world our minds. Education is technically the basis of this speech. However, an alternative meaning of it was expressed by Wallace. Wallace explains how academics complicate the process of rewiring the “natural default setting.” The most vivid real world example that Wallace uses in the speech is the supermarket.  The supermarket was an example that showed how one could choose how to think. Either someone can be a miserable slave to their minds, or they can see things as if they were not the center of the universe. An entirely new window can be opened up to life after you flipped the switch and started manually thinking. 

    Finally, Wallace stresses the importance of being self-aware, and “conscious” (17). This point is in essence, the starting point, and perhaps even the central crux of David Foster Wallace’s rhetorical theme. Being self-aware about your emotions is essential if someone wants to “learn how to think” successfully. Self-awareness correlates with being selfless because if someone is self-aware mentally then they can better control the “natural default setting.” By being self-aware someone can pick and choose which battles to fight. Self-awareness means being patient enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how to create a positive experience out of whatever it is you encounter. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Finding peace in imperfect places also stems directly from being self-aware. The speech, in essence, is about understanding the real value of your education and the importance of paying attention to the right things. The way Wallace addresses the these graduating is factual and highly useful for these young adults.
