THIS IS WATER by David Foster Wallace

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After a vigorous tennis match this morning, I had David Foster Wallace on my mind. Here are some thoughts on his 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon College.

[@CraftDutch]

thanks for sharing your thoughts on this beautiful book

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

I really appreciate that you shattered my first impression of you based on your appearance as someone who is not a deeply philosophical reader. And wow! You are a genuinely thoughtful scholar! Great survey of DFW’s work! You are very well spoken, and clearly well-rounded too!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Really appreciate your compliments! I have a long video on Infinite Jest out here you may enjoy. All my best to you!

[@PaperBird]

Nice vid. Wouldn't it be interesting to see footage of DFW playing tennis? I think he was a grinder

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! Yeah, there doesn't seem to be any footage out there. Imagine him crushing it like Roger Federer and then writing a six-page footnote to a footnote's footnote.

[@Mike7906-fj8gc]

@@LeafbyLeaf XD

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

This one is rather personal and rings…..True. I was in a rehabilitation center for several months. The first day I was allowed to leave I was asked by one of the other patients. What was I going to do today? I responded I’m going to find the meaning of life. Went to my local downtown library found this tiny book, was if the healing process begins when one differentiates the lies from the truth. Personal or otherwise. It was my first truth, I told, without any intention of lying.

[@tomlabooks3263]

Wow, I didn’t know they had made it into a hard cover. Now I have to get it. I think that speech has an unbelievable amount of truth shining through, just stunning. Coincidence, I happened to quote it at the end of my intro video to my Dante series, the part where he says that “we all worship, we just get to choose what to worship”. I am finishing Infinite Jest in these days. What an amazing, brilliant writer.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

And also coincidentally, I am a little over halfway through my second read of IJ right night. “This Is Water” and Bill Watterson’s commencement speech (also at Kenyon College) are among my favorites.

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@LeafbyLeaf I don’t think you’ve already done a video review of IJ, is that right? That would be interesting.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

No, not yet. But I will definitely post a video on it-probably more of a ramble than a review, à la my Gaddis videos. I was also invited to be a guest on The Great Concavity podcast (the actual catalyst for rereading IJ at the present time).

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@LeafbyLeaf I’m in awe of this book. Btw, I’ve found this music video where they re-created a game of Eschaton in real-life. Have you seen it? Easy to find searching around.

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@LeafbyLeaf I wonder how IJ feels at a second reading. Especially the first 200 pages must have a different flavor once you already know all the context, and maybe you get to enjoy some details even more?

[@Paromita_M]

I just listened to this speech and it felt viscerally honest in a kind of unsettling manner. Really appreciate your discussion. I had no idea he had these many published works! I only heard of IJ, a collection of essays and The Pale King (unfinished). I've been trying to complete IJ and failed thrice already (your IJ discussion is so beautiful btw) but I keep persisting. A reason for that is somewhere in this speech. I think there's a meaningful message in IJ (for me) which is getting lost in his stylistic choices but if I do complete it, the book will stay with me for a long time just like this speech will. I do not agree that he was showing off or copying Pynchon (as many critics say). I believe he meant every word when he wrote about New Sincere. I want to complete IJ and The Pale King to read his perspective on entertainment vs banality in everyday life. Gone too soon. I hope he found peace. (As you mentioned in your IJ video, this is no apologia for his behavior in his personal life - in this case, I am able to separate the works from the artist)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I'm so thrilled you have connected with his great work. Happy reading!

[@marinamaccagni5253]

You, man are my new god after showing that you- like me- possess all DFW's books! A friend of mine introduced me to DFW 's work with "consider the lobster". Amazing. When david killed himself, this friend of mine was totally shocked because by reading his books, without knowing anything of his biography she said "a man who writes like this, he'll never commit suicide". I was expecting that, instead. For me he was right the type of human being that would have killed himself. I always read the biography of a writer before reading her/his books.

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

I subscribed because I was afraid I might not find you again! Thanks for your thoughtful video!

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Haha--using a subscription as a bookmark--love it!

[@humanfirst11]

I have most of Chris' videos as a "watch later" list, so I never lose them. And can quickly go back to then!

[@GypsyRoSesx]

This is your first best look. This hair length (same as big books I love first video)

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Thanks! I’ve toyed with growing it out again, though not at long as my COVID locks!

[@GypsyRoSesx]

@@LeafbyLeaf this book channel is just a ruse for haircut ratings. I knew it!

[@GypsyRoSesx]

@@LeafbyLeaf based on the clothes you’re wearing in the “best looks” I’d say your best colours are blues and black

[@GypsyRoSesx]

@@LeafbyLeaf yellow too, if you don’t mind looking like a Californian 🌞

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Lol

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

What lNTRP rating are you in tennis?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Well, I’m not ranked in any way; just an amateur getting fun exercise.

[@MorfHasGotAnOpinion]

to me the speech is a pinacle of what exactly his great mind did not manage to grasp: attention. he even explains it, but he does not draw the conclusion. youtube search for: David Foster Wallace is wrong! - a critique of the 'This is Water' speech"

[@LeafbyLeaf]

Hey, thanks! Haven’t heard of or read any opposition to this speech so I will check it out. Always interesting to weigh and consider different points of view. Really appreciate your comment.

[@MorfHasGotAnOpinion]

@@LeafbyLeaf after i recorded the video i started to check out who foster wallace is. i did not know him till that point and also did not knew that he is already dead. shame on me for this. dont get offended by my style, i would love your feedback on this topic. as you seem to know alot about this subject.

[@LeafbyLeaf]

It’s okay. I forgive you. :-) DFW is a very respected and gifted author with a unique style. I’ll check out what you’ve got and give me input as soon as I can.

[@MorfHasGotAnOpinion]

@@LeafbyLeaf did check out my take alrdy?

[@LeafbyLeaf]

I have not yet. It is queued up. My sincere apologies.

[@TheCollidescopePodcast]

Hitchens would have a lot to say about DFW's atheist comment. And I'd have to agree with the former. Having said that, I love DFW. He's had quite an influence on my work. On a different note, let's not forget that DFW willingly embellished his essays to make them more interesting, as mentioned in his biography.