Graduation Speech
Don't Follow Your Passion
- Airbnb is projected to rent more nights in New York than Hilton Hotel within approximately five years.
- Carbon emissions remained flat in 2014, marking the first such occurrence in four decades.
- Widespread global smartphone adoption is anticipated shortly, enabling universal access to the Library of Congress.
- The Class of 2015 is described as likely beginning career planning shortly, with a long-term outlook suggesting they may be viewed 50 to 500 years hence as the generation that unlocked human potential.
- The Class of 2015 is predicted to become the "greatest generation" if they contribute original ideas, think independently, and help the world become better.
- The absence of the internet is characterized as a risk that would have prevented entrepreneurs like Brian Chesky from pursuing ventures or enabled individuals in locations like Bangladesh to access vital information.
- Future success is contingent upon individuals contributing their specific strengths to help the world and following their areas of greatest ability.