Skylar Ewing
English 102
Summary Essay
January 24, 2017
Adjusting
How do adults change their negative thinking? In the “Kenyon Commencement Speech” by David Foster Wallace, Wallace explains that adults have the choice of what to think and believe. Wallace gives examples throughout his speech of how changing thoughts can change the experience as a whole. He does this by focusing on others and taking a positive approach to life. Wallace suggest that adults with a higher education have a default way of thinking but can become well-adjusted by changing how they think.
When students go to college they do not learn what to think; they learn how to think. Wallace argues that the degree is not about the knowledge. Wallace himself writes, “So let’s talk about the single most persuasive cliche in the commencement speech genre, which is that a liberal arts education is not so much about filling you up with knowledge as it is about “teaching you how to think”” (qtd. in Wallace 199). Students often misunderstand that college is all about the textbook knowledge they gain. He goes on to say how this is important to learn. Each student's way of thinking is not taught; it is just what he or she chooses to believe.
Realizing each mind has the right of what to believe is a concept Wallace stresses in this speech. Wallace asserts that depending on what one chooses to believe will impact how he or she thinks. He refers to this as “default thinking” (Wallace 208). In other words, he believes “But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they are evil or sinful, it’s that they’re unconscious. They are default settings” (Wallace 208). The important point Wallace is making is that items or concepts can damage the outlook or views of other events. An example Wallace uses in his speech is about money. He states when focusing on money a person will always feel they do not have enough money. Along with wisely choosing what to think about, Wallace discusses how to effectively adjust thinking.
The ability to change how one thinks is called being well-adjusted. He claims focusing on what is obvious is important. Wallace believes that “People who can adjust their natural default setting this way are often described as being “well-adjusted,” which I suggest to you is not an accidental term” (Wallace 202). He points out it is easy to get distracted and continue thinking the same way (Wallace 202). He gives advice to make the decision to ignore bad thinking. He talks about realizing what others are going through. Wallace says, “As I’m sure you guys know by now, it is extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive, instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue inside your own head (which may be happening right now) ” (Wallace 202). Wallace talks about being in a checkout line. He discusses common thoughts of frustration but explained how he derailed the bad thoughts. He thought about the lady in line behind him and what she must be going through. He becomes well-adjusted in his way of thinking.
In conclusion, there are ways to change how an adult thinks. For example when Wallace is in the checkout line and chooses to ignore his own frustration. David Foster Wallace explains in the “Kenyon Commencement Speech” that adults have the choice of what to think and believe. To overcome an adult’s default way of thinking he or she must become well-adjusted. He or she can do this by ignoring bad thoughts and thinking of others around.
Works Cited
David Foster Wallace. "Kenyon Commencement Speech." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print
English 102
Summary Essay
January 24, 2017
Adjusting
How do adults change their negative thinking? In the “Kenyon Commencement Speech” by David Foster Wallace, Wallace explains that adults have the choice of what to think and believe. Wallace gives examples throughout his speech of how changing thoughts can change the experience as a whole. He does this by focusing on others and taking a positive approach to life. Wallace suggest that adults with a higher education have a default way of thinking but can become well-adjusted by changing how they think.
When students go to college they do not learn what to think; they learn how to think. Wallace argues that the degree is not about the knowledge. Wallace himself writes, “So let’s talk about the single most persuasive cliche in the commencement speech genre, which is that a liberal arts education is not so much about filling you up with knowledge as it is about “teaching you how to think”” (qtd. in Wallace 199). Students often misunderstand that college is all about the textbook knowledge they gain. He goes on to say how this is important to learn. Each student's way of thinking is not taught; it is just what he or she chooses to believe.
Realizing each mind has the right of what to believe is a concept Wallace stresses in this speech. Wallace asserts that depending on what one chooses to believe will impact how he or she thinks. He refers to this as “default thinking” (Wallace 208). In other words, he believes “But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they are evil or sinful, it’s that they’re unconscious. They are default settings” (Wallace 208). The important point Wallace is making is that items or concepts can damage the outlook or views of other events. An example Wallace uses in his speech is about money. He states when focusing on money a person will always feel they do not have enough money. Along with wisely choosing what to think about, Wallace discusses how to effectively adjust thinking.
The ability to change how one thinks is called being well-adjusted. He claims focusing on what is obvious is important. Wallace believes that “People who can adjust their natural default setting this way are often described as being “well-adjusted,” which I suggest to you is not an accidental term” (Wallace 202). He points out it is easy to get distracted and continue thinking the same way (Wallace 202). He gives advice to make the decision to ignore bad thinking. He talks about realizing what others are going through. Wallace says, “As I’m sure you guys know by now, it is extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive, instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue inside your own head (which may be happening right now) ” (Wallace 202). Wallace talks about being in a checkout line. He discusses common thoughts of frustration but explained how he derailed the bad thoughts. He thought about the lady in line behind him and what she must be going through. He becomes well-adjusted in his way of thinking.
In conclusion, there are ways to change how an adult thinks. For example when Wallace is in the checkout line and chooses to ignore his own frustration. David Foster Wallace explains in the “Kenyon Commencement Speech” that adults have the choice of what to think and believe. To overcome an adult’s default way of thinking he or she must become well-adjusted. He or she can do this by ignoring bad thoughts and thinking of others around.
Works Cited
David Foster Wallace. "Kenyon Commencement Speech." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 179-189. Print