I find that the sentimentality of the David Foster Wallace speech is valid, but perhaps not the most profound. Sure, don't judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes, look on the bright side of things and infinite other little proverbs ensue. The prospective at which an individual sees the world is entirely their own; and of course, the right attitude and outlook goes a long way. But in complete honesty, who doesn't already agree with this?
Instead it is Wallace's emphasis on the importance of thought that I am more attracted too. Having an open mind leaves us with better understanding of one another, but what about an open mind to ones own mind? I often find myself thinking rather sarcastically, "well sorry, my life doesn't have that much meaning." While others are swimming in their own thoughts, finding solace, confusion or amazement in something others take for granted. Wallace answers this with "You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn't. You get to decide what to worship." To me, this justifies the over thinkers and the thoughtless, the pious and the hedonistic, and the sentimental and the apathetic.
No comments:
Post a Comment