Gunter 1

Courtney Gunter

Dr. Schuchardt

Core 101 – 7

12 September 2017

What is Water? It’s What It Is

David Foster Wallace’s commencement address to Kenyon College has caused me to

think about many interesting things, but two seem most important to address. First, Wallace tells

a story about two fish, and how one of them asks, “what is water?” The point of the story is that

we are often oblivious to the most important and obvious things around us. This narrative

triggered several questions to run through my mind: What is my water? What am I surrounded

by that I fail to take notice of? Is my water the people I interact with on a daily basis? Do I fail to

notice those who play a vital role in my life? These questions were followed by another question:

How can I change it? I want to wake up and become aware of what surrounds me. I can honestly

say that not having my phone has made me more aware. I am more conscious of people when

interacting with them. I have less distractions. Secondly, Wallace’s speech prompted me to think

about a boy named Jaiden. Jaiden was my classmate throughout high school. I did not know him

well, but I would see him around and we would exchange casual conversation occasionally.

Jaiden committed suicide in January, four months before his high school graduation. Prior to

listening to Wallace’s speech, I knew that he had committed suicide. While listening, it was

eerie; his speech sounded like a cry for help. It was dark. However, if I had not known in

advance, I probably would not have guessed that he killed himself. It was impossible for

thoughts of Jaiden not to float through my mind. Everyone thought Jaiden was a happy young

man. However, did he cry for help? Were we, his classmates, oblivious to it? Was he our water?