What "Follow Your Dreams" Misses | Harvey Mudd Commencement Speech 2024

Wow, the animation in this one was crazy realistic!

Maybe it's just me, but after hearing Grant's voice without seeing his face for so long, I find it super weird that that guy at the podium has the exact same voice as 3Blue1Brown.

FINALLY someone who acknowledges survivorship bias of their success and recognize the luck of their timing in addition to their hard work.

His "video narrator" voice is so clear and relaxing, but after watching this speech... IS THAT JUST HIS REGULAR VOICE?!

One of the best commencement speeches I've ever heard.

I know that you get comments like this regularly, but I cannot state in words the importance you have played in my life in terms of math and the sciences. You were singlehandedly the only person who actually fueled that very passion you were talking about, and currently I am at a fork in the road of my life, confused on what I'll do in the future. This advice might actually help. Thank you yet again for all the wonderful things you've made and posted on this platform. You are deeply loved and appreciated by your community you have built here on YouTube. ❤

Grant is such an eloquent speaker. Never once did he need to use filler words like "erm, uh, like". His speech flowed so smoothly and he has a comforting voice.

Thank you, Grant, for inspiring our graduates!

I just finished my PhD at over 30 years old and am a bit vectorless. This speech hit home and matches so much of my experience. Good luck class of 2024!!

"Action precedes motivation" I feel like this quote is too good. Speaks volumes and resonated a lot with me (and I assume quite a few other people too). We were always meant to believe that we are sipposed to "dream big" and "become successful". However, that's setting too high expectations and aiming for "failure".

This is awesome. Some takeaways: - Following your passion is important, but it should be balanced with pragmatic concerns and a focus on adding value to others. - Success after college is more about making a difference and contributing to others than just personal growth and learning. - If you don't have a defining passion, seek opportunities where your skills intersect with adding value to others, and passion will follow. - Be aware of survivorship bias when considering advice to "follow your dreams," as success often depends on timing and external factors. - Recognize the influence you can have on shaping the dreams of those younger than you. - Expect and embrace change, both in the world around you and within yourself, and remain adaptable to new opportunities. - Treat passion as a fuel and a starting point, rather than a fixed destination, and be open to changing direction based on the forces around you.

"Just because you have a passion for something doesn't mean you don't suck at it" - Mike Rowe on following your passion

This video will comeback in 11 year

I am 64 this year. Still teaching Physics and still inspired by this speech. :)

I remember watching your commencement speech "Ego and Math" around a year ago when I was finishing my second year of undergraduate math and had clear ideas of getting into academia and continuing to study math, actually left a comment there talking about it. Funny enough, finishing my third year now and I'm thinking of doing a full 180º and doing something completely different once I finish my degree, and I think it's mainly because of the little voice in my head that's been there since I started college telling me that math isn't even close to being an optimal field to spend time on if I want to help others and advance the causes I believe in (which I think is what will bring me real joy). It's been difficult battling all of the inner convincing I did that academia was the only and best way for me, where I'd put best use of my skills, and that I would regret it otherwise. At the end, the feeling that won was that of wanting to make other people's lives better. I like that both speeches hover around the same topic. It means it's really something important for you or at least has been in the last year, and it just makes me more reassured in my current thoughts about it

Phenomenal speech. I've now spent a decade in corporate America - while success is not guaranteed proactively being useful, making others lives easier, helping the next up and anticipating change stacks the odds significantly in your favor and is the advice I provide new hires at our firm.

What an incredible orator. Your voice and cadence are simply exquisite. The content of your speech is equally as impressive!

Incredibly profound. I encourage all recent grads to rewatch this video in 10 years to appreciate how spot-on Grant's advice is. His perspective is relevant to people at all stages of life.

-Following your dreams should be about more than just yourself. It should be about using your skills and passions to add value to others. -Action precedes motivation. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity to start pursuing your goals. Take action and the motivation will follow. -Be adaptable and open to change. The world is constantly evolving, so it's important to be prepared to change your plans as needed. -Don't treat passion as a destination, but as a fuel. Your passion can give you direction, but be open to changing course as needed. ps. AI did it for me

As a grad in the audience that day, your speech was incredibly powerful in person and with each re-watch! Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and for marrying realism with optimism! Graduating from college and moving into the real world has its share of stressors, but your words brought a welcome reality check! It was also so lovely meeting you in person! Thank you for all you do!