Friday, June 8th, 2007...7:58 am
Bill Gates Commencement Speech For Harvard Graduates
Bill Gates gave quite a profound speech at the Harvard graduation yesterday. There was a lot to take from it but the following passage in particular really struck a chord.
In line with the promise of this age, I want to exhort each of the graduates here to take on an issue – a complex problem, a deep inequity, and become a specialist on it. If you make it the focus of your career, that would be phenomenal. But you don’t have to do that to make an impact. For a few hours every week, you can use the growing power of the Internet to get informed, find others with the same interests, see the barriers, and find ways to cut through them. Don’t let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.
Great words, no matter where you are in your life at present.
Thanks to Brad Feld for pointing out the transcript.
8 Comments
June 8th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I agree entirely, Web2.0 has moved from being a technological medium to a social phenomenon. Therefore it’s what Web2.0 ‘does’ not what it ‘is’ that counts. As an example (an not my blog I hasten to add) http://mcarthursrant.blogspot.com/ discusses how Web 2.0 might faciltate HR 2.0 a new form/ guise of HR in the workplace.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I was reading something related to web2.0 and found the following two sites.
News.com - http://news.com.com/Web+2.0+madness+grips+China/2100-1032_3-6189238.html
and
China Web2.0 Review - http://www.cwrblog.net/
I think by 2010, China may become the next Web2.0 super start country.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Solid advice, really.
Personally I am choosing to get involved with the free software movement, especially as it pertains to internet security (and how woefully undereducated most normal end-users are).
Doing my bit to spread the word about safe, secure, and free computing, I feel like I am contributing to the safety (if only informational safety) of my community.
Nice work man, I am glad I stumbled across your page.
Chris
June 8th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
To Terence-
IMO/Just depends on accessibility and censorship.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
[...] to Dan for informing me about this . On June 7th 2007 Bill Gates gave quite a fantastic commencement [...]
June 8th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
You are right Dab . A must to read and follow .
June 11th, 2007 at 7:41 am
One must concur, Brillliant Speech! Way to go Bill!
June 29th, 2008 at 9:32 am
A great speech indeed. Its the effort that counts, leave no barriers unbroken. Way to go bill.
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