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In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace defines our "default setting" as a self belief that the world is centered around us and that we are naturally self centered. "Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centeredness because it’s so socially repulsive" (Wallace). Wallace describes default setting as automatic thoughts our mind generates without consideration of others. He argues that these ideas from our mind are automatically produced without any self reflection.

In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace suggests that our "default setting" is tendencies of how our mind thinks. "If you’re automatically sure that you know what reality is, and you are operating on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won’t consider possibilities that aren’t annoying and miserable" (Wallace). Wallace highlights the idea that when we have default thought patterns, we are not considering alternative possibilities and become narrow minded and self centered. He suggests that these default setting thoughts can lead to negative ideas of our experiences.

-Tony Wu

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“This is water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as the way we center and perceive ourselves in the world. Wallace says in his speech “Think about it: there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute centre of. The world as you experience it is there in front of YOU,” (Wallace). Wallace is saying that we shape the world in our life the way we perceive it. That we tend to shape the world to the one thing we know which is our experience.

Wallace also says “People who can adjust their natural default setting this way are often described as being well adjusted” (Wallace). This just clarifies how people that are able to mold this “default setting” are positively living better in a more meaningful way. That not being able to do this can cause us to take life for granted.

- Guadalupe Lara

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In "This Is Winter" David Foster refers to our default setting as the automatic, unconscious way we perceive and interpret the world around us. Which also centers our needs and desires, "...everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence." (Wallace) So, Wallace's analysis suggests that recognizing and overcoming our default setting can lead to a more fulfilling and empathetic existence.

By: Jelan Luke

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In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as thinking in such a way that our values, beliefs, and experiences are absolute and all other realities are false. During his speech, Wallace uses himself as an example of our default setting by saying, “everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid important person in existence” (“This is Water”). The reason for this thinking is because every single moment of our lives is seen through our own eyes. Every choice we make seems to cause a domino effect of reactions making us believe that the world is what we make it. While this may be our default way of thinking, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way. For example, “Or I can choose to force myself to consider… that some of these people probably have harder, more tedious and painful lives than I do” (Wallace “This is Water”). This is said to make us think that in a world full of multiple realities, one single reality doesn’t immediately erase everyone else’s. Unfortunately, that isn’t how humans are made to think but we do have the ability to choose differently from the “default setting”. In conclusion, our “default setting” is meant to make humans think selfishly without the consideration of other individual realities.

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According to “Tis is Water” by David Foster Wallace "default setting," which means we naturally see ourselves as the center of our own lives. This self-focus affects how we view the world and understand our experiences. The author points out that this can make us unaware of other people's perspectives.

“Here is just one example of the total wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centredness because it’s so socially repulsive. But it’s pretty much the same for all of us. It is our default setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth. Think about it: there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute centre of” (Wallace).

The author talks about self-centeredness as a natural habit that makes us think we are the most important. This limited view can stop us from understanding other people's experiences. He emphasizes the importance of being self-aware and thinking critically, especially in education, to question our beliefs and grow in empathy for others.

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Answer: My way of viewing life!

Text: There is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute centre of (3)

Analysis: All about you! Mentality of me, me, me. Why did this happen to me!

Answer: Am not concern about others.

Text: “I don’t make conscious decisions about how I think and what to pay attention to”. “I’m gonna be pissed and miserable every time”.(5)

Analysis: Being narrow minded to only his view of a situation. If it doesn’t affect him, (David) then not his problem.

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In “This Is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as how we perceive the world, more specifically how our beliefs or experiences can change or affect the way we see everything around us, an example of this is when Wallace said  “the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely think about this natural, basic self-centredness because it’s so socially repulsive. But it’s pretty much the same for all of us. It is our default setting” (Wallace), this is the reason why many times we don't have an objective opinion and how this can become a problem that none of us like to admit.

by Marcos Aguilar

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In his writing ,David Foster Wallace describes what he calls ‘’our default setting’’. This refers to the natural way we tend to see ourselves as the center of everything. Also he points out that all our experiences are always about us. There is no experience you had that you are not the absolute center of . This self-focused view is something we’re born with, and it can make it to hard understand what others are thinking and feeling .He suggests that while this way of normal, it can create distance between us and others. He emphasizes that being more recognizing other’s experiences can help us connect better with the world around us.The awareness of this default setting can lead to personal growth, encouraging individuals to move beyond their self-focus with the world around them.

Analysis: Self-centered confidence, Experience from universe and impact of awareness.

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In This is Water, David Foster Wallace defines our "default setting" as the automatic, self-centered way of perceiving the world that often leads to a lack of awareness and empathy.

Text: Here is just one example of the total wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute centre of the universe; the realest, most vivid and important person in existence( David Foster Wallace).

Analysis: David Wallace is reflecting on the human tendency to see himself as the center of the universe. Although his personal experience can reinforce this belief, he recognizes that it is a form of self-centeredness. This comment highlights how our perceptions can distort reality and how we often tend to prioritize our own being above the broader context of the world and others.

Text: The plain fact is that you graduating seniors do not yet have any clue what “day in day out” really means. There happen to be whole, large parts of adult American life that nobody talks about in commencement speeches. One such part involves boredom, routine and petty frustration. The parents and older folks here will know all too well what I’m talking about( David Foster Wallace).

Analysis: David Wallace is emphasizing that graduates do not have a complete understanding of what daily life entails in adulthood. He talks about the monotony and minor frustrations that are often ignored in graduation speeches. His message is that, although adult life has moments of joy, it is also full of routines and challenges that it is important to recognize and accept. This invites a deeper reflection on what it really means to grow and face reality.

Wrap up: Wallace's exploration of "default mode" serves as a reminder that awareness and intentionality in our thoughts can transform our interactions and perceptions. By choosing to see beyond ourselves, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of the world and those around us.

Joseline Leon

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In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace defines our "default setting" as if each of us thinks we are the center of this world and only our needs are important. ("...basic self centeredness because it's so socially repulsive.) (Wallace). According to Wallace we are born like this. ("It is our default setting, hard wired into our boards at birth".) (Wallace). Wallace challenges us on how we think and how we respond to the world. If we were to stop thinking about ourselves and just try to focus for a minute on others we may view and think of the world differently.

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In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as we believe that we are the center of the world. “It is our default setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth. Think about it: there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute center of”(Wallace). This is showing that ever since we are born every experience that we have we automatically believe that we are the center of it because it’s happening to us.

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In “This is water” David Foster Wallace defines our “Default setting “as being self centered and only caring about the things that affects us without thinking of our surroundings. according to David Foster, “there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute center of” (3). this proves as human it our nature to only focus on our selves for example we wake up everyday thinking of how to make our lives better by going to work, school, to the gym before we think about the next person. It is not don on purpose, but it is in out nature. David Foster also says, “getting free of my natural, hard -wired default settings which is to be deeply and literally self centered and to see and interpret everything through this lens of self” (3). This demonstrates that is hard is I hard to not be self centered and it takes a lot to see beyond your self.

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In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our

“default setting” as a fixed mindset that everything revolves around you. It comes so naturally you don’t realize it’s happening. “Except thinking this way tends to be so easy and automatic that it doesn’t have to be a choice” (Wallace). You are so accustomed to wanting things your way and wanting to be in control of your own life that you unintentionally become empathetic to the people around. Wallace stated “It’s a matter of my choosing to do the work of somehow altering or getting free of my natural, hard-wired default setting which is to be deeply and literally self-centered and to see and interpret everything through this lens of self”. Nothing else matters, everything is centered around you. When things go your way or don’t you give explanations that would best fit your circumstance. This is a selfish act and shows how close minded you can be. If you’re able to see things from another persons point of view you'll be more open minded, sympathetic, and more aware of your surroundings.

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In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace defines our "default setting" as self-centeredness. "The world as you experience it is there in front of YOU or behind YOU, to the left or right of YOU... Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real." This suggests that it's difficult not to be self-centered because that's all we know, Wallace clearly states that all our experiences are yours and not anyone else simply because they're not you and you are not them. "the automatic, unconscious belief that I am the centre of the world, and that my immediate needs and feelings are what should determine the world’s priorities." This implies that we as humans are narcissists by instinct, by nature, we put ourselves first over others because that is just the way life is. Thus, why David Foster Wallace describes our "default setting" as our self-centeredness.

Jashley Rodriguez

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David Foster Wallace calls "our default setting" as being egoist and how we people prioritize our own thoughts, experiences, and feelings above everyone else. In "This Water" David Foster Wallace defines our "default setting" as the way we considered ourselves as the center of the universe.

"So, getting to the store takes way longer than it should, and when you finally get there, the supermarket is very crowded, because of course it is the time of the day when all the other people with jobs also try to squeeze in some grocery shopping"(Wallace 14). Wallace sounds like he is expressing frustration as many do feel about grocery shopping during peak hours. That experience can be incredibly time consuming, not just because of the journey of the store, but also due to the overwhelming crowds that seen to accumulate at the most inconvenient times.

"Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real"(Wallace 7). Wallace reflects that while our own feelings demand attention and response, the thoughts of others require effort to comprehend, reminding us of the importance of active listening in our interactions with people.

Wrap up: "Default setting" by Wallace often lead us to operate on responding to life's challenging without true engagement or consideration. And by practicing awareness and altering our habitual responses, we can lead to richer, and more connected lives.

Diarra Kane

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In the reading "This is water" David Foster defines "default setting" as interpreting the feelings , thoughts and behaviors of a person that happens without awareness, as an a human individual like the center of the universe and instantly interpreting every circumstances through the lens of a persons own belief that the world revolves around them and should categorize their perspective in a behaviour and sense of being better then others.

In the reading "This is water" David Foster says "Never feel you have enough.Its the truth.Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age starts showing , you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you". What he means by this is that you have to be humble and focus on things in life that really matter because life is short and being full of yourself and selfish will make you feel ugly in the end and remembered in a negative way when you die.The real happiness is whats inside.

-Llasterin

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"This is water" David Foster describes it as the automatic, self-centered way of thinking that leads us to interpret our experiences primarily through our perspective. As I’m sure you guys know by now, it is extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive, instead of getting hypnotised by the constant monologue inside your own head (may be happening right now). Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the liberal arts cliché about teaching you how to think is actually shorthand for a much deeper, more serious idea: 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. Think of the old cliché about "the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master." (Wallance) Analysis Wallace emphasizes that the default mode of thinking often leads us to feel trapped in our routines and self-centered perspectives.

By: Carlos caxaj

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In "This is Water” by David Foster Wallace ,David describes our default system as an unchanging sense of selfishness. What this means is that the default system is the constant feeling that life revolves around you and although some may adapt, our natural nature is to make our need, thought or feelings important immediately despite other factors around us in our environment. David voiced “ Because the traffic jams and crowded aisles and long checkout lines give me time to think, and if I don’t make a conscious decision about how to think and what to pay attention to, I’m gonna be pissed and miserable every time I have to shop. Because my natural default setting is the certainty that situations like this are really all about me.”(Wallace).  In efforts to elaborate his thought, the message he is conveying is that we are programmed to think that our lives are what everything revolves around and so we automatically react based on the prospective feelings and thoughts we have FIRST without slight consideration about other perspectives . furthermore he continues” It’s the automatic way that I experience the boring, frustrating, crowded parts of adult life when I’m operating on the automatic, unconscious belief that I am the center of the world, and that my immediate needs and feelings are what should determine the world’s priorities.” (Wallace). What he accentuates in this statement is the core of his perspective on what exactly he believes the default system is. It's the literal living operation of the human throughout life. In short David Foster Wallace wants the audience to understand that the default system is something common in every human and is something that cannot be shared because it sprouts at birth but along with one's journey and sense of education it may drastically vary. However this does not mean the human cannot adapt or be taught to have another perspective from a different default system.

-Deasia.WB