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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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! :')
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.
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
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.
As we say in our home town; 'Don't forget to be awesome!'
Kurdish tv
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.
This is the slowest I've ever heard him talk
so true lol
hand and john green changed my life and i publicly celebrate them.
I laughed at "Happy birthday sir, despite the circumstances."
So did I, but I think the corner of my eyes kinda welled up.
The Man's a world treasure
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.
Happy 40th Birthday Hank despite the circumstances!
Man I didn't realize these john greens were the same.
How many did you think were there
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 just love the eloquence he speaks with;
i could listen to him talk for ages.
I've been on a random commencement speech TH-cam 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
John green always makes me emotional for some reason!!
a very honest speech
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
"Keep reading; specifically my books, preferably in hardcover."
As awesome as John is, he needs to eat too, people!
I love the green brothers!!! There's no way I could pass my classes without them
The most important thing I ever learned is: Everything in the Universe is Temporary.
My respect for John Green just went a notch higher! Well said Sir!
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.
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
They should have commencement speeches when students BEGIN college as well, so they make the most of their time.
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.
This made me want to live and do things with my life again
This guy is the man!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.
I love John Green. He is as fully a human being as anyone I know.
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.
Still holding very true to this day! Bravo and being able to articulate this so clearly and humorously. Absolutely love the ending.
Kuwait 🇰🇼 Represent!!! Despite the circumstances
i wish you a very happy graduation, despite the circumstances
Every word of this man gives me chills and hope. Good job, sir, may the circumstances be with you every day of your life! ;)
A rare human being. His words are so inspiring.
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.
His speech was very motivational. This was a needed start to my day.
John Green is really an inspirational man. The older he is, the more.
Wooooh BUTLER! I don't know where that is...but still, they have great taste in speakers.
Best commencement speech I've heard...
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.
Best man on earth
He's incredible!!
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
I don't care WHAT it was filmed on. I am so...SO Happy someone filmed it. This was an incredible speech.
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
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.
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.
Thank you for this, John. Thank you.
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..
He has read "This is Water". He mentioned it in a video quite some time ago (not that I expect you to know that).
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 :)
so Hussan was real after all xD so proud of you John
Just amazing :)
Beautiful speech, John.
O no! I cried. 😭
BEST COMMENCEMENT SPEECH EVER.
wtf, i went to Butler and i didn't get John Green speaking at my graduation.
Yay for the MC who knew who John was and pronounced everything correctly!
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! :')
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.
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¢.
Congratulations on your graduation! :)
The looks on the faces of the people behind John when he said don't worry about your lawn was priceless
John Green has a honorary degree? damn.
Thanks......John
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.
It's weird hearing him say 'good morning' with them being followed by 'hank'
Loved the Fred Rogers tribute/imitation.
We need him at the University of Washington in 2016!
people who dont show off are actually attractive. it is strange
such an important message.
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
+
haha so much better than all the speeches i've heard this year!
I love his cape thingy
That was a very real and awesome speech :)
I totally agree with the lawn thing.
Brilliant.
I only wish it had been longer...
I should hope so, Prez. Danko's daughter is the script supervisor for Crash Course and Mental Floss.
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??
I love John green.
What word does he use at 6:24??
I feel like this is a line by line rewrite of David Foster Wallace's commencement speech for Kenyon.
Happy graduation despite the circumstances.
i like this man a lot although sometimes i dont really catch what he is saying
It's a recording of a stream. They're always low quality.
Awesome speech is awesome.
Have you never seen David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech? If not, check it out!
Thank you! :)
You're probably about to get a lot of this, but have a happy graduation, despite the circumstances. Best wishes, DFTBA.
Thank ya! :)
The best use of this meme I've seen. So good.
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!!!
Good thought, but I have a feeling I wouldn't have been ready to listen to speeches like this before college.
Aww congrats John'
What about Neil Gaiman's?
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.
I started crying on 5:12 ..I'm not even in college!!
Wow...