The Core of Invention

When discussing invention, it is important to understand that the main idea and concept is to “find something to say” and also one must keep in mind the other elements featured within the concept of rhetoric.  According to Gideon Burton, “invention is tied to the rhetorical appeal of logos” and when speaking to others we must be “orientated to what an author would say, rather than how this might be said” (Burton).  Furthermore, there are certain topics, rhetoricians can follow, which will allow the audience to make a deeper connection with, these are called the “topics of invention”.  They are key concepts which are found throughout life and many people have experienced them and are aware of their meanings.  Some examples are cause and effect, comparison, and the connections between various relationships.  By following these topic layouts, a speaker can connect with the audience in multiple ways and reach them on all levels, including ethos, pathos, and logos.

The idea of utilizing common places of conversation can also be seen in the Sophists approach to rhetoric and every day life.  Throughout their teachings they continually focused on the practical things in life and conveying this through the art of discourse and rhetoric.  Overall, they brought forth a more modern way of thinking which allowed them to express every day matters in a poetic format and this innovative form of communication was greatly accepted by “the ambitious citizens of the newly founded democratic empire” and they “were ready to hear” this “style of expression” (Crick, 2010).

Considering the Possibilities

When reflecting on David Foster Wallace’s speech and the reading concerning the beginnings of rhetoric and rhetoricians there are many shared characteristics which help to both explain and delve further into the concept of rhetoric and other closely related ideals.  One of the main points mentioned within Wallace’s speech is the idea of being aware and noticing others instead of being transfixed on ourselves.  The same concept can be seen in rhetoric, we must know our audience and understand their perceptions concerning a particular topic before we can talk on it.  We must write “to the issues of the day to move hearts and minds” and the only way to do that is to become more open and truly take time to think about the people around us and the society we live in (Cline, 2006).  Furthermore, Wallace discusses the fact that we shouldn’t judge the people around us and instead we should be able to get to know them, so that when we make conversations and discuss ideas we can in turn “help mankind arrive at transcendent truth” (Cline, 2006).  

Consequently, by stopping to reflect on our lives and the people surrounding us we can gain a better understanding as to what our purpose is and how we can convey our message to others.  We must also learn to go against our “natural default setting”, the innate calibration inside ourselves, which tells us to act and think a certain way.  We must instead focus on the “energy of language” and observe the fact that there is power within our words and it is up to us to choose how we want to utilize this awesome ability which predates us in every way.  This is the core message within David Foster Wallace’s speech, the idea of making a choice, and it may not always be the right one, but in time we will all get there.  Similar to the start of Democracy and the stepping stones made possible by Solon, if we consider the possibilities and think outside of our own little world, we will be able to connect with people on a broader scale and in turn become better rhetoricians. 

Going Against the "Natural Default Setting"

David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech was very inspirational and unlike any other I have heard.  He was able to bring forth the realities of life and focus on what really matters after graduation.  I find that most commencement speeches send graduates out with a feeling of invincibility and excitement, which makes them feel that they can tackle any obstacle in their way.  But some students may not be ready for the road set before them.  This is why I truly enjoyed listening to his speech, because Wallace was able to convey hard life facts and serious realities in a conversation tone, one which made people stop for a second and just take a breath.  To realize that we as a society do need to become more aware of our surroundings and the people we come in contact with every day.  

Furthermore, I found it interesting that he brought forth the idea of what an education really gives you.  The fact that even though students will earn a degree in a certain field or major, the bigger picture is that the student was given the opportunity to challenge their thinking and alter the way they view the world.  Consequently, I really enjoyed the section where he suggests that we go against our “natural default setting” and use that time we have stuck in traffic to really reflect instead of becoming angry and frustrated.  I also enjoyed the visualization of the fish in the bowl of water and really related to that because sometimes it can feel like we are doing the same thing over and over and over again, but Wallace’s speech showed me that with each day I can do something different and think differently about the situation if I just choose to become more aware.  

Concerning the video, I really enjoyed the music they incorporated into the film and found that it really complemented Wallace’s speech.  Furthermore, the visual aids they utilized throughout the film with certain parts of the speech appearing on the screen was really great too.