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In class we looked at David Foster Wallace's speech "This is Water", and spent a large portion of class time picking it apart and analyzing very small details. However, along with the intricate details in the piece, we also were able to find the main purpose in the speech quite easily. Wallace's purpose is to encourage the graduates to utilize their liberal art education when thinking about a sometimes mundane life, and not allow themselves to sink back into their "default settings". This speech is extremely insightful and inspiring, in an unconventional way. Sadly, the brilliant speaker himself committed suicide in 2008. He was suffering from serious depression he had been battling for about 20 years. This very sad occurrence gives a whole new aspect to the speech however; it just goes to show that old cliché "easier said than done" is ultimately true. Like so many clichés Wallace spoke of in his speech. It can be very very difficult to switch your mind from its "default settings", but this does not mean people should stop trying to accomplish it. I think it is very fitting that David Foster Wallace's death can represent a cliché, especially since it is one that teaches us about our own minds. Even though struggle will always exist and we cannot force a minds out of their continuous loop all the time, it's important to still try. To try to change our thoughts from default to possibly customize.