David Foster Wallace examines a
topic concerning the “natural, hard-wired default-setting” of self-centeredness
in This Is Water. He addresses it in a
deliberate, unique manner that is different from other lectures on being
self-centered. Instead of simply stating that we should stop being selfish altogether,
Wallace chooses to use a more realistic approach that is conceivable. He says
that we need to “adjust” our mindset.
Initially, I felt that this was
something I wouldn’t relate to. But as Wallace dove further into the issue, I
found myself relating more and more, especially through the rambling paragraphs
about finishing work and going grocery shopping. This reminded me of pushing through
the sea of people around the crowded main staircase in school, where I often
found myself wondering why people thought it was a good idea to stand around gossiping
with their group of friends when a hoard of stressed teenagers had to barge
through to get to class on time. And haven’t those little freshmen realized
that there are other staircases yet? I never really cared to think about their
perspectives rather than my own since mine is more familiar. Wallace’s writing
made me realize just how self-absorbed society is. But it is the norm, so we don’t
think of it as selfish because that sounded “so socially repulsive”. Once
society comes to recognize this, several issues could be resolved, since we don’t
tend to think of how others feel on controversial topics. If men really put
themselves in women’s shoes, would sexism continue to be an issue? If whites really put themselves in black’s
shoes, would racism continue to be an issue? To solve the world’s common complications,
an adjust of our default-setting could be exactly what we needed. Unfortunately,
that was easier said than done.
