JK Rowling Harvard Commencement Speech Part 1 - June 5 2008

Run time: 10:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkREt4ZB-ck   Posted on YouTube: June 14, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: July 07, 2009 By DU Member: Demeter Views on DU: 563

 
An outstandingly profound and thoughtful speech.

I find it narcissistic.

Most people enter young adulthood with dreams, but at some point, for most of us those dreams give way to responsibilities. JK Rowling is used as a rags to riches story which creates an unhealthy stereotype, If you pursue your dreams with enough single-minded determination, you'll find wild success. I hear it from Rowling, I hear it from Oprah, I hear it from daytime TV, I hear it from college counselors trying to fill english lit classes.

I rarely hear it directed at young men. When we have kids, we are expected to fulfill our responsibilities, not pursue our dreams. To pursue our dreams at the expense of our kids is considered the height of irresponsibility.

A life in which you fulfill your responsibilities, even at the expense of your dreams is not "a life not worth living at all".

Many of us regret the risks we didn't take when we were young adults. On the other hand, many of us also resent the risks our parents took when they were not-so young adults with responsibilities to consider.