“The freedom to be lords of our own tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the center of all creation. This kind of freedom has much to recommend it. But of course there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talked about in the great outside world of winning and achieving and displaying. The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day. That is real freedom. The alternative is unconsciousness, the default-setting, the “rat race” — the constant gnawing sense of having had and lost some infinite thing.”
David Foster Wallace
American writer
Those words are from Wallace’s commencement speech given in 2005. The entire text is one of the most moving (and inspiring) things I’ve ever read (especially knowing that Wallace ultimately lost his internal war with depression). It’s about 3000 words — maybe a 15-minute read.
I can’t tell you who spoke at my college graduation. Nothing against them, I’m sure it was me. Had Wallace been our speaker and given the same talk, I probably would have missed it because of my attitude at the time. (I wonder how many of those students heard and thought about what Wallace said that day.)
We have just over 3 million college degrees being given out this year in the U.S. I’m assuming (hoping) that the largest portion of them will start working and contributing to the needs of our world (people). I hope they’re Smovers.
At the same time, I hope we (the grown-ups?) remember to encourage them to do what’s right, work hard, and care. They’ll need it (though they might not want it) and it’s our job as grown-ups.
Below are my 3 favorite commencement speeches. Pass one or all of them along to someone who’s graduating (this year or 3 years from now). Help them become more aware… earlier. Make sure you read them first (you might find Wallace’s to be too harsh). Then be sure to follow up. Sit down and ask them what they think. Then listen. Then have a conversation.
This Is Water : David Foster Wallace, Writer
Find What You Love : Steve Jobs, Apple Inc. Cofounder
The Love of Learning : David McCullough, Writer and lecturer
Thanks for this post. I had not seen the DFW one before. Lovely.
Thank you! I read your posts and I can feel everything you believe in. Keep sharing, it’s beautiful!
I could not disagree with you more. I am not about to grant recognition, of any sort, to someone who was so unsettled with thier own existance that they would choose to end their life above moving forward to face the challenges of life as they come. You think his words are moving? You MUST take his WHOLE life in retrospect to make such a statement. This dope was a loser who couldn’t cope with the realities that were around him and he chose to follow the route of a true LOSER. I would rather follow the teachings of a six year old than to give any “business world” credance to someone who is mentally ill. What planet are you from? It’s not mine! Hollow. Shallow. Uneducated. That’s the David Foster Wallace you have shown me. (Who thought he would be a good graduation speaker?)
Great posts- love your writings