So, a few days ago, I was at a live BlogTV show with John Green. Every show, he reads the viewers something, usually an excerpt from a book, a few poems, or a speech. This time, he read David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon Commencement Speech. He explain so many points, but struck me on one specific story and anecdote; selfishness, and how most times we only think about the false image of the universe revolving around us. You know it's true.
We tend to, as normal people, think to ourselves about the great or innocent aspects of everyday life; I hope I have time for breakfast, I hope the bus isn't late, I hope there isn't traffic, I'm sure as hell not going to Dunkin' Donuts today, the line will be jammed. Do you, the reader, the listener, discern any connections between the phrases and letter I just used as example? They all have to do with our way of travel, our means of getting through the day. We think of what will affect us, and our day to day agendas. This is a bit of a translucent topic; many say we are build with the will to survive. Survival, in most people's mind, is looking out for oneself and putting your life in front of everything else.
And so, I sit here so content, typing away a life that's lived so generically by so many others. So many others enjoy the unexpected, and the unnoticed. Many others enjoy unique forms of enjoyment, perhaps the same arrangement of mine, and so I am considered unique for it. If the world could only see that I am but a leaf on a vast tree, perhaps larger or smaller or brighter colored, as if the fall had always flourished in the minds and hearts of those who stand clear and far from those inside the circle. The Circle, oh yes, and what a circle it is. The Circle seems a bit like a world in itself; dark corners, public knowledge, and all that dwells on both sides of the imaginable.
Yet in the past, I have crossed the line, into the circle, but was eroded and washed away by the ocean beach waves surrounding the line. I, in fact, became the line. An atom, inside the line, crunched up and sharing unnecessary but secretly desired company with the secret world of the unique. And yes, I look to my left; a lilac eyed, doe-faced girl digs her head into a book, sharing not a care for anything outside her province of imagination. And a boy, to my right, fiddles ingeniously with a model of a cancerous cell, one day creating his reverie of hope into a cast sense of safety and optimism, on the verge of tears with determination. He looks at me, stares for the briefest of moments, nods tightly, and slowly returns to his method or rhythm of thought and pensive attitude.
John Green.
3 opinions.:
I REAAAAAAAALLY need to read his books! I've heard so much about them, but since I already have so many unread books I never buy them.
Tisk tisk.
I absolutely love the way you think! When I think about an in depth subject, my mind goes in circles until I convince myself I'm insane. Hahah.
But, as humans, we are selfish beings. Each and every one of us. I know at least I almost always think about myself in some way.
If we were to just think about others, or merely the world in itself or just notice the fact, then everything might just be a tad bit better.
l,
Hannah
OH! I just read your comment.
I've so noticed that, too! It's happened with several of your posts. I would just double check the dates where it says "posting options" or something like that at the bottom of the new post page thing. See if it still does it or whatever after that.
I have never heard of him before, but sounds thought provoking.
Post a Comment