Kenyon Commencement Speech

“Kenyon Commencement Speech” by David Wallace purposes the idea of open mindedness in his graduation speech. He references the cliché that school “teaches you how to think”, challenges it, and suggests that education is isn’t really about “the capacity to think, but rather about the choice of what to think about”. He goes on to say not to make assumptions about people and to not let petty adult frustrations and routines get in the way of having an enjoyable, successful life. He later explains that he chooses to discuss this idea in hope that the graduating students will be able to put his philosophy to use in order to live a happier, more fulfilling life by not making assumptions about other people and trying to remain open minded and optimistic.

                I try to consider all views and remain open minded. Although, I do agree with a lot that Wallace stated, some value was taken from his advice having to read his speech as an assignment. Also, because I did not know him personally, what he had to offer did not mean as much as it might have if it were coming from a mentor or someone who had taught me and that I admired. He did, however reveal a lot about himself. He discussed why he tries to stay open minded to other people, to not judge and consider other possibilities, but his tone revealed that he may be just a bit of a pessimist by saying adult life is filled with “boredom, routine, and petty frustration”. He makes the assumption that his audience lives that sort of life though: boring, routine, and frustrating. He also goes so far to assume that his student will go on in life to receive “white collar jobs”. He doesn’t consider that some people in the audience won’t go into desk jobs but rather exciting live with adventure or fortune. Also, he makes the assumption that the audience has the same “default setting” as himself. Its possible that many of them already try their hardest to not let their daily routines affect their happiness. Its these people who may feel excluded.

                In conclusion, I do agree that its best to be open minded and to be careful about how you think and what you think about, but I don’t agree with his argument that we don’t know what routine life is until you have reached adulthood. As students, so far our entire lives have been routines. He doesn’t factor in that school life can be just as routine and possibly even more frustrating because of the lack of freedom.