Stories are told for one main reason: to be interpreted. They have an underlying meaning that readers have to analyze. “This is Water” by David Foster Wallace is one of those stories. In this commencement speech, the symbol of water has many different meanings. The metaphor of water was used to present the conscious reality of the obvious. This speech stated, “Important realities are often the ones that are the hardest to see and talk about” (Wallace x) meaning that the obvious is the most difficult to realize.

In the beginning of the story, water was used to represent liberal arts education. It says that it is not about feeding knowledge, but about how individuals chose to think (Wallace XI). This has a lot of meaning behind it. Going into college, new students think that they will be crammed with a bunch of facts that are necessary to know to receive a degree in order to find a job they enjoy. Although that is a popular belief, this is not all that actually is learned. “This is Water” tries to convey that students will be taught how to think. In concept, this is easy- these students just need to focus on the obvious. Naturally, humans overthink things and get strayed away from what really needs to be thought about. By learning how to think, students will be able to know how to study and learn the information needed to obtain their degree. 

The next example used in this speech was a conversation between a religious guy and an atheist at a bar. The conversation was about why the atheist didn’t believe in God even though he had an example that the religious guy thought was enough proof of an existence of a God. “The exact same experience can mean two totally different things to two different people, given those people’s two different belief templates and two different ways of constructing meaning from experience” (Wallace XI) which means that people have different views and ways of thinking. Everyone comes from a different background. Everyone was grown up in their own ways, thus leading people to have different views. As people grow older, they learn to accept that not everyone will believe and think the same. 

Next, “This is Water” uses a person’s default setting as an example of water. It is defined by saying people are “deeply and literally self-centered and to see and interpret everything through this lens of self” (Wallace XII). Everything individuals do is for themselves. Humans are hard-wired to be selfish to ensure the best outcome for their own lives. People always think about themselves rather than others. Some will never get out of their selfish ways of thinking but some will. Some will start to think about other people’s feelings and what they have gone through. Humans have to think that their problems are smaller than the issues other people deal with. They have to be considerate of the fact that other individuals have bigger problems than their own. In order to get out of their selfish default setting, humans have to constantly be thinking in an unselfish way. By doing this, they will be able to have a more positive outlook on life. 

Towards the end of the speech, it talks about the day in day out principle. Adulthood brings on so many new things. Routine plays a big role in a person’s life but a student’s day in day out routine is different than someone who has settled down with a steady job and family. Students have routines but as soon as they finish school they get to make a new routine that, like adults, sticks with them for a long time. 

Another example of water in this speech is what humans worship. Everyone worships something in some way or form. Although, there is a choice of what to worship. If something is worshipped so greatly, the result will always be the opposite of what is desired. For example, this speech states “Worship power and you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need even more power over others to numb you to your own fear” (Wallace XVI). However, worshipping something is a default setting. Human minds do not plan to worship something. It is the unconscious mind that leads to this devotion. Eventually, it consumes the mind and becomes the norm. 

The last reference made in this speech is the capital T Truth. This relates to the real value of student’s education. The speech states that, “Awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time…” (Wallace XVII) meaning that education is not all about knowledge and what can be memorized, but rather awareness. Individuals need to know what’s around them and how it impacts their lives on a daily basis. Once everyone becomes aware of day to day things, they will be opened up to a new insight. By becoming aware, people’s perspectives in life will change.

In each one of these examples, water has a deep, symbolic meaning. The natural default setting is for people to be selfish brats and do everything for their own pleasure. People would learn so much about others and themselves if they just thought to look outside of the box of their own thoughts and feelings. Someone’s problems may be so insignificant to another person. For example, someone’s petty issues would be completely overlooked by someone who is going through a rough patch. Humans need to get out of their default setting and live their lives with an open mind towards others. 

The speech ended with “your education really IS the job of a lifetime” (Wallace XVII). Students need to enjoy their time in school before they have to be stuck in a not-so-exciting “day in day out” routine. Education will take students many places whether they study abroad or meet the CEO of the company they hope to work for. After all of those years of schooling, the lessons of “water” are something that can never be taken away from students. It may get tough and challenging but the end must be kept in sight. There is only one thing to remember: “This is water” (Wallace XVII).
