Question

Wallace points out the phrase "being well-adjusted'... Is not an accidental term" (para.4); in the next sentence he refers to "this work of adjusting our default-setting" (para.5) reflect on the word adjust, its denotations and connotations. Why does Wallace emphasize the deliberate choice of this word?

Answer 1

Wallace places emphasis on the word "adjust" because he is addressing our realities and way of thinking as "default." He expresses the importance of paying attention to your surroundings, and adjusting to other perspectives and ways of thinking. He compares our ignored experiences to the water fish swim in but were never taught to notice.