This is Water.

[Robb]

In 2005, author David Foster Wallace was asked to give the commencement address to the 2005 graduating class of Kenyon College. However, the resulting speech didn't become widely known until 3 years later, after his tragic death. It is, without a doubt, some of the best life advice we've ever come across, and perhaps the most simple and elegant explanation of the real value of education.

[pinto]

1. +1

[mike_c]

2. that is one of the most remarkable commencement addresses ever....

Everytime I hear it I am simultaneously inspired and chagrined because I know, in my heart, that I could never have written such a speech. This excerpt is beautifully illustrated. Thank you for posting this-- it's a week or so before commencement here, and a great time to reflect about the "big-T Truth" and the real value of education.

[Stuart G]

3. Wonderful..thanks for posting...K and R..nt

[drynberg]

4. David Wallace's gift to us is truly COSMIC

Yeah, I'll think of this address often, and get ready for adulthood, after all, I'm gonna be 65 in July, time to grow up, I guess...Thanks Robb.

[Owl]

5. K&R

[MrMickeysMom]

6. This is the best commencement speech I've yet to hear...

So well portrayed in the video, too.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. WOW. LOVED that. :) K&R! n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. Beats the ones that tell you that you are a master of the fucking universe.

[libodem]

9. .

[Half-Century Man]

10. Ladies and Gentlemen....

...An author.

[DiverDave]

11. That was WAY cool.

My life is so out of control that I have gone so far from the capitol T Truth
that I just now, as I was watching this, realize I've forgotten what life is about.


Really about...Thank you for posting this, I'm off to watch it again.

[Scuba]

12. Excellent. Thanks for posting.

[Tx4obama]

13. Excerpts in OP video are awessome. For those that want to hear the full 22 min speech see below

Part One

Part Two

[1monster]

14. Wonderful!

Thank you for sharing.

Full speech here: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/09/12/this-is-water-david-foster-wallace/

[Yooperman]

15. wow! WoW! Thank you so much for sharing this...

I had seen the posting on the front page for a couple of days now. I finally decided to watch....absolutely profound.

[hopemountain]

16. thank you!

yes, the message is cosmic. greatly appreciate the forces that let it be gifted to us before his tragic death.

[daleanime]

17. Bookmarked

[gtar100]

18. An interesting thing about traffic jams is that the feeling

you have of wanting to get to your destination or just out of the jam is shared by everyone. And that means that getting out of a traffic jam is inevitable. That is hope we can count on.