First published 2009
In 2005, David Foster Wallace delivered a revelatory commencement speech that would become a cherished classic. Grappling with the challenge of staying present and compassionate in the face of life's monotony, Wallace offers a bracing antidote to the traps of egotism and unconsciousness. His electric intellect and hard-earned wisdom shine as he urges graduates to notice the "hidden" water all around them - the banal but vital details that make up the fabric of existence. This unexpected, life-affirming manifesto reminds us to choose awareness over autopilot, and cultivate the radical empathy needed to truly connect.
Genres: philosophy, self-help, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: life-lessons, self-reflection
Paperback