This writer has been around for a long time. He is pretty popular, has written many pieces, and unfortunately is now dead. But, for me, he is "new." His name is David Foster Wallace.
I was turned on to his writing after reading this short quote from a commencement speech: "Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed." The quote struck me as one of the most honest things I have read in a long time. Educators always tell their students that they learn a plethora of information because we are "teaching them how to think." But, I think Wallace said it better than any of us. Learning to control what you think is the real goal.
Are you able to control what you think?
So, I went out and bought one of his books. I am intrigued to read more about what he has to say about life. If it is as sincere as the above quote I think I am hooked.
If you would like to learn more about Wallace check out this Wikipedia page.
3 comments:
That speech he wrote was quite inspiring in a very dark way. Very appropriate for the minds of the educated.
I'd like to read a follow up blog that talks about how good the book was. Based on the quote it sounds like maybe the book may be political, or having to do with a life experience from the writer. I can see what the author of the quote is trying to explain that it doesn't matter how much you may learn if you don't have the guts to get up and use that knowledge. It seems like it'd be a very interesting book, and I think I might go look for it at the library this weekend.
Here's a link to an article that talks about him. It's more about creativity and mood disorders, but it's pretty interesting. http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/07/creativity.depression/index.html
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