# data[].attributes.body
In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as jumping to negative conclusions about our situations that are inherently selfish and all about what we want and what we are going through as individuals. Wallace states “...my natural default setting is the certainty that situations like this are really all about me. About MY hungriness and MY fatigue and MY desire to just get home, and it’s going to seem for all the world like everybody else is just in my way.” This shows that Wallace is making the connection between people going through negative experiences and attributing those experiences to only them, without thinking about anyone else. Wallace continues by stating “...there are totally different ways to think about these kinds of situations. In this traffic, all these vehicles stopped and idling in my way, it’s not impossible that some of these people in SUV’s have been in horrible auto accidents in the past, and now find driving so terrifying that their therapist has all but ordered them to get a huge, heavy SUV so they can feel safe enough to drive. Or that the Hummer that just cut me off is maybe being driven by a father whose little child is hurt or sick in the seat next to him, and he’s trying to get this kid to the hospital, and he’s in a bigger, more legitimate hurry than I am: it is actually I who am in HIS way.” This shows that we do not focus on the bigger picture and are so wrapped up inside our own heads that we often forget that other people most likely feel the same way as we do, or are probably going through something much worse than our own situation. Wallace is giving examples of challenging those default thoughts we have and to take in a more open-minded approach to thinking about our lives, lest we become miserable. The “default setting” most people have is self-focused. By practicing thinking about others and how situations that are otherwise mundane or infuriating might not be all about us as an individual, we can have a more nuanced view of the world and not be as miserable about everyday experiences.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as the state of being habitually self-serving and out of tune to experiences other than our own. Wallace states that "This sort of natural, basic self-centeredness" is "hard-wired into us at birth"(1). From the moment we could open our eyes, every experience we’ve had was from our own lens. Being within ourselves consistently, our standard levels of consciousness are with ourselves first, our own thoughts, feelings, and needs. As Wallace mentions, “Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real”(1).  In this default setting, the same functions that everyone else experiences don’t readily come to us without effort. When we are not mindful of other people, we often don’t consider their perspective unless it’s communicated directly to us. Due to our standard way of thinking, we often can give context and excuses to our own actions without trouble. We can automatically rationalize why and how we were led to a certain point, yet we forget to give this same grace and consideration to others.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water”, David Foster Wallace says that our “default setting” is to be self-centered, believing that we are the center of the universe. For example, Wallace speaks about a day where someone goes grocery shopping, and inconveniences add up. He states, “...my natural default setting is the certainty that situations like this are really all about me” (Wallace 1). Even though there could be a multitude of reasons why the grocery shopping experience is so terrible, people tend to think only of themselves in this situation. He also states, “...if you really learn how to pay attention, then you will know there are other options” (Wallace 1). By “other options”, he means that there are ways to think about a situation without putting the focus on oneself, such as choosing to believe that the situation is more dire for someone else. In this way, our “default setting” can be combated, and we can learn to think in a less self-centered way.

(Wallace, David Foster. "This is Water.")

# data[].attributes.body
In “this is water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as the idea to deeply think about everything that you see within your view and based on the emotions you're experiencing. For example, according to David Foster Wallace “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 explores the idea of default setting by giving a circumstance and experience of default setting. Furthermore, David Foster Wallace also states “Because my natural default setting is the certainty that situations like this are really all about me. About MY hungriness and MY fatigue and MY desire to just get home, and it’s going to seem for all the world like everybody else is just in my way”. This shows how Wallace highlights that idea that his natural default setting has to do with the feeling that everything is about him, this also connected to the idea that default setting is about emotion because he is talking about his feelings.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as a way to ignore our own fears by focusing on gaining power over others. David Foster Wallace writes “you will need more power over others to numb you to your own fear”. I think that it’s difficult to face our own challenges and we will do anything to avoid thinking about them. This includes gaining and maintaining power over others. David Foster Wallace goes on to say “They’re the kind of worship you just gradually slip into”. I think that bad habits are easier to fall into than good ones because developing good habits requires self reflection. David Foster Wallace asks us not only to think about being empathetic, he asks us to act on it because we will be closer to the type of freedom he describes as “truly caring about other people”.

(“This is Water,” David Foster Wallace)

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as “It is our default setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth.” In section 7 it states, “We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centeredness 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.” This means that our brain/body is already known to do this since it's our default way of doing it since we were born and gotten older that we have gotten used to it by now. Another detail from “This is Water” is on section 8 it also states, “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. People who can adjust their natural default setting this way are often described as being “well-adjusted”, which I suggest to you is not an accidental term.” This shows that he’s describing how there are two ways of default settings and how well one can be and the other taking its time to do so.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as being selfish.

In the text, he describes several different ways people think selfishly in their everyday lives, including himself. For himself, he describes it as, “time in the end of day traffic being disgusted about all the huge, stupid lane blocking SUV’s and Hummers and V-12 pickup trucks, burning their wasteful, selfish 40 gallon tanks of gas…” (Wallace 17). This is an example explaining how he thinks of his own “default setting” while describing it almost the same as anybody else's as being self centered and negative and overall miserable with your surroundings. He also goes on to suggest that this “default setting” is not even a choice, and is just so natural to us that it takes consideration to think differently. “But if you really learn how to pay attention, then you will know there are other options. It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer hell type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred, on fire with the same force that made the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down” (Wallace 20). Essentially explaining that only you can decide how you perceive life and how aware you are of what's going on around you. This shows how in “This is Water”, the author defines our natural “default setting” as people as being selfish and only thinking about yourself. Although, we have the ability not to through being more considerate and aware of others.

# data[].attributes.headline
What does david foster wallace call our “default setting “?

# data[].attributes.subject
What does david foster wallace call our “default setting “?

# data[].attributes.body
In “this is water “ David foster Wallace defines our default setting “” as “self centeredness “ thinking ourselves as the absolute centre of the universe, viewing everything from our own perspective. Thinking all has to go my way. Ignorant to the surroundings . Like david wallace says “ the world that is you experience is there in front of you or behind you or the left or right of you “ (Wallace).And another thing in “this is water “ david Wallace says our default settings is “unconscious living “ . we are so oblivious to our surroundings we don’t realize what other goes through we only believe what we see, incapable of thinking differently. We don’t realize the environment we are in , we only think from our own point of view . Like he describes “ i can spend time in the end of the day traffic being disgusted by all the SUV’s and Hummers and pick up trucks burning wasting the fuels” (Wallace) . Where we don’t realize they could have there reasons to do what they are doing.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” by David Foster Wallace, he defines our “default setting” as a “sort of natural, basic self-centeredness" that he believes is “hard-wired into our boards at birth” (Wallace p7). Wallace aims to normalize what he sees as the innate selfishness present in everyone, calling it “socially repulsive” while admitting that “it’s pretty much the same for all of us” (Wallace p7). Our default setting is to care about ourselves because we have spent our whole lives getting a front row seat to our lives and experiences only, which would make anyone feel as if they were the center of the universe. We only get to learn other people’s thoughts and feelings secondhand, while ours are much more immediate and real. Wallace also suggests that some people are able to “do the work of somehow altering or getting free of [our] natural, hard-wired default setting” (Wallace p8) and that he himself has been able to do this, giving him a better understanding of people and the world around him. He posits that it is only by doing the work, as he says, that you can truly become a more "well-adjusted" person, somebody who approaches things with empathy, compassion, and intention.

# data[].attributes.body
David Foster Wallace discusses in his speech “This is Water” the default setting is a sensation we have forced on ourselves. Convincing ourselves that we are the center of every interaction. He discusses, “there is no experience you have had that you are not the absolute center of. The world as you experience it is there in front of YOU or behind YOU, to the left or right of YOU, on YOUR TV or YOUR monitor. And so on" (Wallace 4). Wallace advocates this must be confronted to understand someone else's experience may be more significant or more problematic than your trivial issues.

Foster goes on to urge the reader that to break through this social hurdle we must choose to address it. Choose to see other people around you as characters in your story. Choosing to listen to others and your surroundings, he goes on to say “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” (4).

Wallace is highlighting that experiences can be seen through a singular lens, making it difficult to appreciate other perspectives around the reader. Foster asks the reader to acknowledge that our mundane, day-to-day issues can seem unimportant compared to someone else’s struggles. We are asked to face our own inherent vanity.

In conclusion, David Foster Wallace wants readers to understand that to break through this social obstacle, it requires conscious effort. This entails listening and absorbing the world around us; allowing us to surpass our chronic inclination to interpret everyone through our own lens. Foster says this is about making a reasoned choice to expand our outlook beyond yourself, strengthening relationships and communities.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default settings” as our natural and original way of thinking. We all have our own mental programming that allows us to live life the way we do .Whether it’s a negative or positive mentality on everything.Wallace explains on wanting to think outside of his comfortability and self consciousness. “This is not a matter of virtue.Its a matter of my choosing to do the work of somehow altering or getting free of my natural, hardwired default setting which is to be deeply and literally self-centered and to see and interpret everything through this lens of self”. (Wallace pg 3 Lines 5-8) He explains on creating a new type of mental thinking for ourselves, like a reprogramming that’ll help us to become better thinkers and “well adjusted “ in life.(Wallace Pg 3)He adds on to how the adjusting of your “Self-default” could “involve actual knowledge or intellect”(Wallace pg 3 lines 9-10”). Wallace talks on changing the way we think could be from learning through experience and education or by using the knowledge we know from experiences we  haven’t been through.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as “of being uniquely, completely, imperially alone day in and day out” (Wallace). He believes that people naturally focus on themselves and their own experience. This kind of thinking can make us feel isolated and disconnected. However, Wallace says if we notice this, we can choose to pay more attention to others and what is happening around us.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as a selfish and dangerous unconscious mind, which is very difficult to alter, as it has been with us since birth. He defines this as being "deeply and literally self-centered and to see and interpret everything through this lens of self" (Wallace para. 8). It is the truth that people always prioritize their emotions first and care less about other people’s feelings. As our mind is filled with millions of thoughts every second, it is very hard to have awareness and stay conscious every moment. He states that as "unconsciousness, the rat race, the constant gnawing sense of having had, and lost, some infinite things" (Wallace para. 29). Even though it is hard to change, if we realize it, we can improve by practicing awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water “ David  Foster Wallace defines our ‘default setting’ as our belief that we are the center of the universe , the most important person to exist . Wallace goes on the explain how we tend to see and interpret things through the lens of self.  Are we going to be angry every time we run into traffic or stand in long checkout lines ?  He states “because my natural default setting is the certainty that situations like this are really all about me” (Wallace ). Why do we make everything about our self ? Why do we say to our self in the words of David ,”I am the centre of the world, and that my immediate needs and feelings are what should determine the world’s priorities.”

When we learn to be less self centered , he states we will experience real freedom , freedom that involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people.

(“This is Water “, David Foster Wallace )

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace States our “ default setting” as basic self-centeredness that is hard-wired into our boards at birth.

“We rarely think about this sort of natural, basic self-centeredness 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.” ( Wallace, para.7 ) David sees our default setting as a natural thing, that makes us put ourselves first since birth. “ 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. People who can adjust their natural default setting this way are often described as being “well-adjusted”, which I suggest to you is not an accidental term.” ( Wallace, Para.8 ) He says people can choose to change their ways of their default setting but those who do are considered to be well-adjusted.

Finally, our “Default setting” in the eyes of David Foster Wallace, is considered to be something we are given at birth and given the choice to fix it or not.

# data[].attributes.body
In "This is Water" David Foster Wallace defines our "default" setting as self-centered people, it is our natural way of perceiving the world. We centralize ourselves instead of thinking about others. Wallace states : "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" (par.7) Wallace explains how he sees himself as the main character of the world, that only he stands out. But he later on explains how we don't think about the people around us and that it really affects everyone in the same way, there's nothing wrong with that because it's just how the human mind is programmed and that is what Wallace calls our default setting. In addition, Wallace further states "and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us" (par.32), to think about others is easily obtainable but we as people simply act as if we cannot see the idea outside of self-centralization, Wallace also refers to this awareness as an essential, to further develop outside of the idea of "default" setting. A simple thought to see the view of others. Wallace calls the idea of being self-centered our default setting, it is simply how we as people were "programed" to be. Furthermore, Wallace expains what the idea of default settings are but he is also hinting at the idea of exploring others or challenging these automatic thoughts so that people can cultivate empathy and awareness.

# data[].attributes.body
In “This is Water” David Foster Wallace defines our “default setting” as a self-centered way of thinking that leads us to view the world through our perspective and needs. For example, According to David Foster Wallace, “It's the automatic way that I experience the boring, frustrating, crowded parts of the adult life when I'm operating on the automatic, unconscious belief that I am the centre of the world” (Wallace, 1). he emphasizes that this default setting often results in being oblivious to the experiences and feelings of others. He advocates for awareness and choice in how we think, suggesting that real freedom comes from being able to step outside this mindset. Wallace also states, “The most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about.” (Wallace, 1). This highlights how our default setting can blind us to the deeper truths and experiences of others.