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-   -   David McCullough Jr. Commencement Speech..."You are not special." (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/683180-david-mccullough-jr-commencement-speech-you-not-special.html)

MotoSook 06-12-2012 07:10 AM
David McCullough Jr. Commencement Speech..."You are not special."
 
Every parent should watch this with their child!

I can't link the Youtube video right now, but

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/david-mccullough-wellesle_n_1575402.html

Quote:
“Here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume … shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma … but for your name, exactly the same.
All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special.

You are not special. You are not exceptional.

Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you … you’re nothing special.”

KaptKaos 06-12-2012 07:12 AM
Link?

MotoSook 06-12-2012 07:29 AM
You Are Not Special Speech - High School Graduation - YouTube

speeder 06-12-2012 07:34 AM
Who is he? Someone we should know?

VINMAN 06-12-2012 07:37 AM
That was major news around here. I cant believe all the butt hurt parents crying that there child was belittled..

IMHO, The guy is dead on!

widgeon13 06-12-2012 09:33 AM
Guy understands life, too bad the parents don't.

dennis in se pa 06-12-2012 11:12 AM
WOW! Very powerful. This needs to be shared by all. Thanks for the link.

http://www.theswellesleyreport.com/2012/06/wellesley-high-grads-told-youre-not-special/

There it is in print. I feel I get more understanding from text than from a video.

And I might be wrong, but I think his dad was the historian.

Seahawk 06-12-2012 11:16 AM
Jr.



Quote:
Originally Posted by tchanson (Post 6800425)
I'm surprised you don't Denis.

He's a fantastic historian, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, won a couple of Pulitzers over the years, was the narrator in Ken Burns Civil War series, among others

His book on John Adams a few years ago was one of the best political bios I've ever read.

And his comments are spot on, here.



Tim

MotoSook 06-12-2012 12:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dennis in se pa (Post 6800489)
WOW! Very powerful. This needs to be shared by all. Thanks for the link.

Wellesley High grads told: “You’re not special” | The Swellesley Report

There it is in print. I feel I get more understanding from text than from a video.

And I might be wrong, but I think his dad was the historian.
I agree. I've copied the text to a file and will be printing it for my recent grad (who left for college 3 days after graduation, for degrees in Physics and Engineering) and his soon to be sophomore brother. Somethings mean a lot more when they hear it again from a third party!

onewhippedpuppy 06-12-2012 12:39 PM
Good speech. The quicker graduates realize that they are now a very small fish in a very big pond, the harder they will swim.

MT930 06-12-2012 12:56 PM
Spot on ! Welcome to the machine

wdfifteen 06-12-2012 05:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy (Post 6800649)
Good speech. The quicker graduates realize that they are now a very small fish in a very big pond, the harder they will swim.
I've been watching that develop with my grandkids. With every step forward they step into a bigger pond. My 9 year old granddaughter will start middle school next year. She is excited about not being coddled so much and being allowed more freedom and responsibility.
I hear a lot about how awful kids are these days, but the few I have personal experience with are far ahead of anyone in my generation when we were that age. I hope they aren't exceptional.

Por_sha911 06-14-2012 09:24 AM
Great speech. Reminds me of a little tune done by the Eagles.
<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1H-Y7MAASkg?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><par am name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1H-Y7MAASkg?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>

madmmac 06-14-2012 10:13 AM
I think he got it from his dad berating him about "just" being a high school teacher and the chip on his shoulder when he got married and did not feel as special as his bride.

Guessing he got his butt kicked on playground also. Seems to be quite bitter.

A couple of good points and observations at the end, but he may seek some counseling.

sammyg2 06-14-2012 10:52 AM
The message is spot on, but you can tell he's an english teacher who has spent too many years trying to think of clever phrases and important words designed to impress his piers.

McLovin 06-14-2012 11:06 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammyg2 (Post 6803952)
The message is spot on, but you can tell he's an english teacher who has spent too many years trying to think of clever phrases and important words designed to impress his piers.
Is he an english teacher, or a dock worker?

Did anyone read all the way to the end of the speech, to the last few lines?


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