From The Library: David Foster Wallace’s 2005 Kenyon College Commencement Address

Episode 476: The Library or Study has long been the haven of the contemplative pipe smoker. In our ‘From The Library’ series, we take a look into the musings, writings, poetry, and more that pique our interest and consider the mind of the author and how we can, or perhaps can’t, relate from our own experience. This week: David Foster Wallace’s 2005 Kenyon College Commencement Address Pipe Question: (From Frank) Can I damage my pipe with a pipe cleaner? Specifically the metal piece inside the cleaner. I recently used some…let’s say, sub quality cleaners and noticed the metal in the middle was exposed and sharpish to the touch. I inserted into my pipe but could swear I felt a scratching occurring on the inside of the pipe and thus my soul…. Did I damage anything? Could I damage anything? Please help! - Frank Quick Fire Questions: N/A Listener Feedback: Dear Beau and Jon David, Earlier today I ordered a fifth of Cedar Ridge Bourbon and had it sent to the Squire, and I wanted to let you guys know a little bit about it. Whether or not you decide to include it in a future Squire Select, I wanted to share a little bit of Iowa with you. Iowa is one of my homes (which has also included Oklahoma, northeast Italy, Chicago, and Ethiopia), and, if I’m being honest, I am surprised at how I’ve come to love and appreciate the people and the land as much as I do. It is truly a great place to raise a family. That said, although I have had this whiskey in a handful of mixed drinks at various restaurants, I hadn’t tried it straight until I ordered some for myself alongside my order for you guys. I’m told that it is the best whiskey made in Iowa, and that it wins awards nationally. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Enjoy, and thanks for the community that you’ve cultivated at CSR. P.S. - Jon David, I wanted to thank you for your patience and your kindness as I stuttered and stammered in front of you at the pipe show. Such is my personality that, although I’m sure that you can both enjoy/appreciate and be irritated by folks coming up to you at events, all I can think is that I’m probably being a nuisance, which distracts me from what I’m saying (which, ironically, actually makes me more of a nuisance that if I didn’t worry about it!). I imagine that one of the more unexpected challenges of hosting a popular and long-running podcast is that folks (like me) can know quite a bit about you, and can feel like they do know you, while you, of course, know essentially nothing about them, and don’t know them at all. Anyway, I’m glad I got to meet you and thank you in person for how you and Beau have helped me over the last couple of years. Your brother in Christ, John Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy