My commencement speaker rambled on for 34 minutes about his own life and achievements. He never once mentioned the graduates or the people who supported us, and never actually addressed us. It was awful. This on the other hand is absolutely fantastic.
I think his speech is powerful because his message is not "use your college education to earn money and power" but rather "use your college education to be a nicer, more understanding, person" and I respect that a lot.
I like the lawn thing. Why are we so fixated on growing a plant that is so easily overtaken by what we call weeds, instead of letting the fittest survive. Think of the people who dies in Texas at the fertilizer factory and never mind all the damage to our environment, especially underground water. Why not grow fruit trees and wild flowers instead of green lawns.
Both John Greene and Josh Whedon start their commencement speeches the same way. We all are going to die. Now that we know we are going to die... we can start living.
This is the best thing ever. I love John. He says everything perfectly. I can't sum up my feelings. I've printed this of and carry it around with me. So funny, so true, so John..
I guess the biggest thing to take from John Green's speech (and this increasingly large post supporting his views) is that next time you are faced with a disgruntled fellow homo-sapien, or someone in need of aid, use your time to make a positive impact and be thankful of those who try to do the same. Rant over.
This speech reads/sounds like an updated version of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College. Give it a listen. Job well done, though.
Our existence is fleeting and we will all be forgotten but in that brief moment when we can make a difference to someone's life, that tiny spec of time in the history of the world when we can choose to either be positive or negative, it seems to me infinitesimally better to make a humble but good mark on the planet then a minor bad one.
These people who truly impacted their lives are unlikely to be famous and worshipped extensively in magazines, paraded as an inspirational and aspirational figures, yet at some point they would have offered a shoulder to cry on, a word of support and made sacrifices in order to give their child/friend/other the best opportunities and experiences at the expense of their own.
First of all, there's a University named after me?! :D Also, note that the Twilight reference gets nothing while the Harry Potter reference gets cheers. xD I "liked" the video after he mentioned lawn obsession. What is UP with that??
Austin I think it’s a reference to the phrase “live fast die young” not sure of the origin of that though. Basically he is saying, live long and die old
The last three minutes have a word: sonder. It describes the idea that every person has a life as full and complex as our own and that it is completely separate from our own.
What Green does in this speech is give these graduates (and us) a chance to understand this. They have worked to reach this point in their lives and should be proud of themselves but also thankful of everyone who helped them along the way.
We all get so caught up in what we want and what we need and often do this at the expense of other people's feelings. Being empathetic, kind and helpful isn't easy as there will be numerous times in life when people will test you but equally there will be times when you will test people. A bit of empathy, love and positivity can go a long way.
woohoo kuwait was mentioned! :D we're a pretty small out of no where spot in the world so im quite happy bout this :p also absolutely brilliant john! :')
I am a big fan and admirer of JG, but I have to say, I found this speech kind of unfocussed and wandering with a few moments of brilliance. Disappointing.
I'm graduating from college in a couple days and because of unfortunate timing and personal family matters, I'm not able to attend my commencement. However I think being able to read/watch John Green, someone I greatly admire, give this commencement speech is probably better then anything I would have heard or seen at my own commencement. So thank you John for giving this great send off to the graduating class of 2013. It means a lot to little ol' me.
This is the slowest I've ever heard him talk
so true lol
As we say in our home town; 'Don't forget to be awesome!'
Kurdish tv
Hey not to brag or anything, but I live in the same state as John Green
OMG
***** Well, most Hoosiers do
i have lived all over indiana and somehow it's always been at least a 2 hr drive... often more. fricken huge state.
Charlotte Burnside All a matter of perspective. I would think a two hour drive is very short, whereas you seem to think otherwise.
with 4 kids in the van... 2 hours can be an eternity, lol
I laughed at "Happy birthday sir, despite the circumstances."
So did I, but I think the corner of my eyes kinda welled up.
Man I didn't realize these john greens were the same.
How many did you think were there
The Man's a world treasure
hand and john green changed my life and i publicly celebrate them.
Happy 40th Birthday Hank despite the circumstances!
The moment of silent.. Thank you John for making me remember that I am nothing without my mother. And I hate you for being so freaking awesome.
The most important thing I ever learned is: Everything in the Universe is Temporary.
"Keep reading; specifically my books, preferably in hardcover."
As awesome as John is, he needs to eat too, people!
My commencement speaker rambled on for 34 minutes about his own life and achievements. He never once mentioned the graduates or the people who supported us, and never actually addressed us. It was awful. This on the other hand is absolutely fantastic.
I think his speech is powerful because his message is not "use your college education to earn money and power" but rather "use your college education to be a nicer, more understanding, person" and I respect that a lot.
a very honest speech
people who dont show off are actually attractive. it is strange
John green always makes me emotional for some reason!!
They should have commencement speeches when students BEGIN college as well, so they make the most of their time.
John Green has a honorary degree? damn.
ALWAYS. FADE. AWAY.
Our usernames are oddly similar.
MrThatawsomguy This is starting to remind me of Enemy.
I keep this quote with me and use it daily
wtf, i went to Butler and i didn't get John Green speaking at my graduation.
OMG HE HAS A KUWAITI FRIEND AHHHHHH I'M KUWAITI
TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M FREAKING OUT IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE RARELY EVER NOTICED BY THE MEDIA
+
It's weird hearing him say 'good morning' with them being followed by 'hank'
i just love the eloquence he speaks with;
i could listen to him talk for ages.
My respect for John Green just went a notch higher! Well said Sir!
Kuwait 🇰🇼 Represent!!! Despite the circumstances
I like the lawn thing. Why are we so fixated on growing a plant that is so easily overtaken by what we call weeds, instead of letting the fittest survive. Think of the people who dies in Texas at the fertilizer factory and never mind all the damage to our environment, especially underground water. Why not grow fruit trees and wild flowers instead of green lawns.
i wish you a very happy graduation, despite the circumstances
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.
so Hussan was real after all xD so proud of you John
I've been on a random commencement speech RUclips binge and John Green and Peter Dinklage are far and away the best I've seen.
"everybody's free to wear sunscreen" by Baz Luhrman
This guy is the man!
Wooooh BUTLER! I don't know where that is...but still, they have great taste in speakers.
This made me want to live and do things with my life again
Every word of this man gives me chills and hope. Good job, sir, may the circumstances be with you every day of your life! ;)
Both John Greene and Josh Whedon start their commencement speeches the same way. We all are going to die. Now that we know we are going to die... we can start living.
I keep coming back to this video from time to time, because this words help me to keep going despite the circumstances, thank you John.
Me too
I love the green brothers!!! There's no way I could pass my classes without them
Best man on earth
Oh my God Karen, you can't just ask someone why that was filmed on a 1991 camera.
Just amazing :)
I love John Green. He is as fully a human being as anyone I know.
He has read "This is Water". He mentioned it in a video quite some time ago (not that I expect you to know that).
full of advice I know I need to hear thank u so much you make the world a better place to live in and I mean it Amazing speech
why isn't there a standing ovation for John??? Do these kids know who he is??
10:40 The part of William Faulkner's letter of resignation that strikes me the most is that there was a time when postage stamps were 2¢.
This is the best thing ever. I love John. He says everything perfectly. I can't sum up my feelings. I've printed this of and carry it around with me. So funny, so true, so John..
I am just astounded that John Green has such power of speech to make such a group be silent for a full minute. Gosh darn.
Best commencement speech I've heard...
Cried. Shit, John.
Still holding very true to this day! Bravo and being able to articulate this so clearly and humorously. Absolutely love the ending.
He's incredible!!
That moment when I realize that people I know from my high school got to witness this in person... I may or may not be extremely jealous.
What? He didn't say "Don't Forget To Be Awesome!" which should be in every graduation speech. Still one of the best I have ever heard :)
2022 update: i think the graffiti was probably color red.... (from john's the anthropocene reviewed).
how is everyone?
I guess the biggest thing to take from John Green's speech (and this increasingly large post supporting his views) is that next time you are faced with a disgruntled fellow homo-sapien, or someone in need of aid, use your time to make a positive impact and be thankful of those who try to do the same.
Rant over.
This speech reads/sounds like an updated version of David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement address at Kenyon College. Give it a listen.
Job well done, though.
...or starts off an awkward girl and becomes a vampire mother-
best (part of a) sentence of all time periodT.
John Green is one of the most inspirational and wise persons I have ever seen and he has given the the ONLY graduation speech I have bee enjoyed.
I feel like this is a line by line rewrite of David Foster Wallace's commencement speech for Kenyon.
BEST COMMENCEMENT SPEECH EVER.
Have you never seen David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech? If not, check it out!
Congratulations on your graduation! :)
If you’ve read Anthropocene, there are a lot of easter eggs from this.
What the hell is he wearing?! Is it a 16th century university?
A rare human being. His words are so inspiring.
What word does he use at 6:24??
Thank you for this, John. Thank you.
That was a very real and awesome speech :)
John Green is really an inspirational man. The older he is, the more.
His speech was very motivational. This was a needed start to my day.
Why was this filmed on a camera made in 1991?
Beautiful speech, John.
Our existence is fleeting and we will all be forgotten but in that brief moment when we can make a difference to someone's life, that tiny spec of time in the history of the world when we can choose to either be positive or negative, it seems to me infinitesimally better to make a humble but good mark on the planet then a minor bad one.
O no! I cried. 😭
These people who truly impacted their lives are unlikely to be famous and worshipped extensively in magazines, paraded as an inspirational and aspirational figures, yet at some point they would have offered a shoulder to cry on, a word of support and made sacrifices in order to give their child/friend/other the best opportunities and experiences at the expense of their own.
First of all, there's a University named after me?! :D Also, note that the Twilight reference gets nothing while the Harry Potter reference gets cheers. xD I "liked" the video after he mentioned lawn obsession. What is UP with that??
john green is my dad and thats the true tea
Can someone help me understand “burn out vs fade away” reference?
Austin I think it’s a reference to the phrase “live fast die young” not sure of the origin of that though. Basically he is saying, live long and die old
@@jarilinton4653 I just saw this after 3 years...A belated thank to you!!!
Nerdfighters: Unapologetically themselves.
The last three minutes have a word: sonder. It describes the idea that every person has a life as full and complex as our own and that it is completely separate from our own.
So funny I almost died from laughing and my friend is actually dead. He died on the 'plant species that we cannot eat joke'. It was all so good. Lame.
What Green does in this speech is give these graduates (and us) a chance to understand this. They have worked to reach this point in their lives and should be proud of themselves but also thankful of everyone who helped them along the way.
This was longer that 12 minuets.
Liar.
I wonder if he's ever seen/read Wallace's "This Is Water." He seems to be stealing pretty liberally from it towards the end there.
We all get so caught up in what we want and what we need and often do this at the expense of other people's feelings. Being empathetic, kind and helpful isn't easy as there will be numerous times in life when people will test you but equally there will be times when you will test people. A bit of empathy, love and positivity can go a long way.
woohoo kuwait was mentioned! :D we're a pretty small out of no where spot in the world so im quite happy bout this :p
also absolutely brilliant john! :')
You're probably about to get a lot of this, but have a happy graduation, despite the circumstances. Best wishes, DFTBA.
I am a big fan and admirer of JG, but I have to say, I found this speech kind of unfocussed and wandering with a few moments of brilliance. Disappointing.
Greg Tomkins I was also expecting a little more from John but life is just as unfocused and wandering, with a few moments of brilliance. Exhilarating.
Morgan Young beautifully worded
I'm graduating from college in a couple days and because of unfortunate timing and personal family matters, I'm not able to attend my commencement. However I think being able to read/watch John Green, someone I greatly admire, give this commencement speech is probably better then anything I would have heard or seen at my own commencement. So thank you John for giving this great send off to the graduating class of 2013. It means a lot to little ol' me.
Good thought, but I have a feeling I wouldn't have been ready to listen to speeches like this before college.
I think I just vomited a pool of philosophy... Just another side effect of being a nerdfighter :)
I should hope so, Prez. Danko's daughter is the script supervisor for Crash Course and Mental Floss.
The looks on the faces of the people behind John when he said don't worry about your lawn was priceless
Do we call him Dr. John now?
I don't care WHAT it was filmed on. I am so...SO Happy someone filmed it. This was an incredible speech.
What about Neil Gaiman's?
What about Neil Gaiman's?
What about Neil Gaiman's?
i like this man a lot although sometimes i dont really catch what he is saying
Is anybody else on a commencement speech youtube marathon? Haha.