Thomas Sowell on dubious graduation messages:
Two themes seem to dominate Commencement speeches. One is shameless self-advertising by people in government, or in related organisations supported by the taxpayers or donors, saying how nobler it is to be in “public service” than working in business or other “selfish” activities. In other words, the message is that it is morally superior to be in organisations consuming output produced by others than to be in organisations which produce that output. Moreover, being morally one-up is where it’s at.
The second theme of many Commencement speakers, besides flattering themselves that they are in morally superior careers, is to flatter the graduates that they are now equipped to go out into the world as “leaders” who can prescribe how other people should live. In other words, young people, who in most cases have never had either the sobering responsibility and experience of being self-supporting adults, are to tell other people — who have had that responsibility and that experience for years — how they should live their lives.
My wife and I attended a local community college graduation.
The woman giving the commencement speech drooled on for two hours, telling us of her 12 year struggles to get a college degree that usually takes 6.
Her loathing for the menial jobs she performed for a company that trained students through the community college courses that provided her employment and government subsidies.
I said she told us, that’s not true, after about 45 minutes of her drooling tirade, I got up, and walked to the end row where some poor fellow was jiggling games on his cell phone, handed him a fresh bottle of water and said-
“Here take this water; you are going to need it after having to listen to even more of her bullshit.”
And this was just a community college, I can’t imagine having to attend some Ivy League commencement crap..
and then there is the REVERANT at the front of the church………………
up, no real life experience makes for well rounded experts, no matter from were they spew their nonsense
“…no real life experience makes for well rounded experts, no matter from were they spew their nonsense”
That’s true, NME666. Even on blogs.
That was my thought also. Someone’s Clue-O-Meter must be low on batteries.
Like leonardo DiCaprios dumb speech after receiving his oscar droning on about Global Warming.climate change long boring lactures from someone who would bore you to sleep BLAH BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH
Ditto here.
After listening to a few commencement speeches the last couple years I am convinced that they should just read “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” and be done with it. It’s a far more insightful take on life than anything I’ve heard from B-List celebrities and overeducated know-nothings.
Wait till the come into the work place. know nothing know it all’s. Telling the experience workers but that is not what the BOOKS says and this is how it SHOULD work.
Here is one more realistic, an antidote so to say.
“You Are Not Special Commencement Speech from Wellesley High School”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfxYhtf8o4
Perhaps it should be played to the little darlings after the bombastic fantasies.
Blame the parents. They are so proud of their little twits. Lets see how many of them support their parents when they are living on welfare. Ummmmmm…none!
saw this attitude wven with engineering grads. I have my degree so I know more than you who have been an industrial pipefitter for 30 years about how to solder pipe.
I have a degree.. ha
It works about as good as a 90 day college graduated wonder lieutenant that thinks he knows more about ‘Combat’ than the combat sergeant we had been following for two years.
Everybody tells him to just jerk off..
jimmy boy, sad thing that applies as much to you and the rest who agree with you. Having said that I’d be more than willing to match my knowledge and comprehension to yours and your supports on a broad range of topics. Don’t over estimate yourself, as you bible bangers like to do.
The correct term is “Reverend”, though that may just be a slip of the finger. Pastors and Priests perform similar functions, but there are big differences. Primarily, pastors typically marry and have families, thus gaining life experience that is unavailable to priests.
Gosh! So sensitive. Obviously touched a sore spot.
I mean, if I didn’t know better I’d almost think that you felt my comment referred to you.
Tell me. You didn’t think that, did you?
you may think you possess knowledge and comprehension but you do lack wisdom. You can check out the Bible for some instruction on wisdom.