David Foster Wallace's graduation speech to Kenyon College
Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfw2Qf1VfJo
Primarily Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI
We listened to this in class on the first day. After some reflection, what's your response to Mr. Wallace's talk? Respond to at least two of your classmates' posts.
I found this clip very eye opening. I work in a hardware store and see first hand the hurry that most people are in. As a worker, I comment to myself on how they are acting when in all reality, I too, am probably the same way at other stores or places when I am in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteI think over the past year I have really started to enjoy life a little more than I use to. I take time to breathe and take it all in everywhere I go. I enjoy traveling throughout the US and I think traveling and see other parts of the country really helps me come back home with fresh eyes, appreciating what I have right in front of me. Now only if I could have this fresh take without going anywhere and coming back is what I am trying to accomplish.
I see people constantly hurt or sick, since I work at a hospital. Its weird to think what they have been through to get there! Its like you seeing people at work, you never know what they're going though. But I am glad you enjoy life more (:
DeleteI am guilty for quickly running in a store, swerving around all the other shoppers just to get my one item so I can hopefully get home a little quicker. After watching this video I realized that I shouldn't be in such a hurry and should appreciate each and every slow and chaotic minute I am put through. I should take a breath and realize this is not just my world, but other people live in it too.
DeleteI like to think that I am always aware of everyone around me, although I am not. When people complain about a person, or get mad while driving, I am the one to say "You don't know how their day has been" or "They could have just went through a death, calm down." Although I think and say these things, I sometimes allow myself to get angry at other people. It is human nature to have the mind set that the world revolves around "me"; that is how we are raised in society. The video was a reminder to me that I have to stop to take a breath and think of the things that could be wrong. This also helped me on my way home from this class, because of the traffic I sat through due to a three car crash. (It was horrible)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it is human nature to think and act like the world revolves around us. I'm glad you're the person to offer some understanding comment to people to help them with other aggravating people. Good for you.
DeleteI am guilty of getting mad at other people on the road when they are driving really slow, or cut me off or whatever. This speech was a nice reminder that we do just need to breathe and I'm glad that it gave you a little more patience on the way home from class because of the car crash.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was always the one pointing out to my friends that there's no reason to curse someone's name due to aggregation because we don't know their reasoning for being reckless or annoyingly slow or just flat out rude in the store. But more recently I guess I haven't been as understanding and now I'm more irritated than ever, especially when driving. This video was a good reminder of who I used to be and who I was proud to be. I liked being the ones my friends could thank for being loving and giving them a more understanding perspective. I'm still that person, but definitely not to the extent I was 2 years ago. I appreciate this video kind of waking me up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you where you said we do not know a person's reason for the actions that they choose. A person slowly driving a vehicle may be doing so because he/she was just involved in a traumatic car accident a couple months ago whereas here we are honking our horns at them when we do not even know their story. This video was definitely a kind reminder for us to be more patient and appreciate each minute no matter how boring it might be.
DeleteWhen I was watching the video I could completely relate, being a single mom and running all over God's creation for them and running out of food constantly and people always in my way when im trying to get anywhere ughhh but through the chaos of all of it. I find myself still taking some deep breaths and remembering that we all are spiritual beings having a human experience and we all have are baggage....I was actually in the line at the grocery store the other day for the third time because I can't remember everything im suppose to get the first time and see this video playing out before me, I smiled, giggled to myself and thought it is only water :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Tracy. It is nice to have the reminder this video gave me about how everyone has their own baggage and not everyone's story is the same as ours and that we need to be aware of that and remember patience in our every day lives!
DeleteWhen I was watching the video I could completely relate, being a single mom and running all over God's creation for them and running out of food constantly and people always in my way when im trying to get anywhere ughhh but through the chaos of all of it. I find myself still taking some deep breaths and remembering that we all are spiritual beings having a human experience and we all have are baggage....I was actually in the line at the grocery store the other day for the third time because I can't remember everything im suppose to get the first time and see this video playing out before me, I smiled, giggled to myself and thought it is only water :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was watching the video I could completely relate, being a single mom and running all over God's creation for them and running out of food constantly and people always in my way when im trying to get anywhere ughhh but through the chaos of all of it. I find myself still taking some deep breaths and remembering that we all are spiritual beings having a human experience and we all have are baggage....I was actually in the line at the grocery store the other day for the third time because I can't remember everything im suppose to get the first time and see this video playing out before me, I smiled, giggled to myself and thought it is only water :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteI was raised by a very understanding, empathetic mother. She would always be there for people and though I have become jaded, callous, and an all-around bad person throughout my life, and am in no way shape or form as gentle as she was, I still try to remember what she said whenever someone was acting bad, or mean. She would look at someone who was having a bad day, who was grumpy, etc., and smile. Be there for them, make sure they were well taken care of no matter what. As a child, I would look at her and ask why wasn’t she mean back? We’re nice people, that we should be mean back so they know not to be mean to us. She would smile and look at me, tell me “Christian, you don’t know if they’re sad or angry because their mommas may have passed on, or their daddies got really hurt. Be kind, Christian. You never know what pain they’re going through”. To this day, those words still echo throughout my entire being. Though I can be rude, I can be crass, I can be inappropriate at tim- (most of the time), I still try to be there, smile for others….make sure they’re taken care of… because you never know what is going on in their life, and I don’t want to add anymore negativity. - Christian Shodahl
ReplyDeleteI think that this video was a real eye-opener to me and the fact that many people thinks that the world revolves around them and that the only thing that matters in a moment of frustration at the grocery store is their own hunger and tiredness. I am guilty for feeling that everyone else is in my way and becoming frustrated because no one is moving fast enough. I wish it wasn’t my “default setting.” I had never thought that those who drive super slow on the highway could have been in a serious car accident and are doing what makes them feel comfortable and safe to drive again. We don’t know what reality is; we don’t know everyone’s story behind their mood of the day or how they are acting. We need to become more aware about what is around us and that awareness will bring us knowledge. If everyone were to change their “default settings” and act in more loving, fellowship kind of ways and being more patient in this busy world, the world could be a little easier to live in and bring more positivity to our lives.
ReplyDelete