Faking it gives you the best chance possible of making it argues Joel Buckley 1/6

Summary

The speaker humorously explores the concept of 'faking it to make it,' sharing anecdotes and self-deprecating humor about pretending confidence and competence. Through witty commentary on personal experiences, social situations, and public figures, the speaker discusses how pretending can lead to success in life, especially in institutions like Oxford. With references to election debates, student life, and the pressure to succeed, the speech blends satire and serious reflection, concluding with advice to embrace the art of faking it as a means to achieve one’s goals.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Faking it is a strategy many use to get ahead in life, and this speech humorously encourages it as a way to succeed.
• 😂 The speaker opens with a risque joke about faking orgasms to engage the audience and set a light-hearted tone.
• 😅 The speaker acknowledges their own nervousness and admits to faking confidence during their first public speaking experience.
• 🤷‍♂️ Faking various things, from enjoying bad gifts to exaggerating skills on a CV, is presented as a common tactic everyone uses to make life easier.
• 🏫 The speaker references Oxford University as a place where many people fake aspects of their personality or achievements to fit in or succeed.
• 🎩 The opposition is humorously introduced, with playful jabs at Barney Wakefield and other opponents, emphasizing their supposed inauthenticity.
• 🤔 The speech explores the idea that faking can be a tool for personal gain, but warns of its dangers, like fraud, tax evasion, and pretending to have medical expertise.
• ✈️ An amusing anecdote highlights how half of American men believe they could land a plane in an emergency, showcasing the overconfidence tied to faking expertise.
• 🏢 The speech criticizes elitism and hypocrisy, especially in the context of Oxford's union and club scene, where fakery and exaggeration are common.
• 🙌 The closing message encourages the audience to continue faking it until they make it, suggesting that persistence, even in faking, can lead to success.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's argument?

The main theme is the idea of 'faking it'—the speaker argues that pretending to be something or someone you're not can help people advance in life, achieve success, or simply navigate social situations more easily.

Why does the speaker begin by asking the audience if they've ever faked an orgasm?

The speaker uses this question as a provocative and humorous opening gambit to introduce the broader theme of 'faking it,' but admits it doesn't directly connect to the main argument, describing it as merely a curiosity.

How does the speaker use humor to engage the audience throughout the speech?

The speaker frequently employs humor, such as the joke about their girlfriend and mother raising their hands or references to faking confidence, projecting vomit, and the Oxford Union members being 'posh bastards.' These elements help maintain a lighthearted tone while making the speech entertaining.

What personal examples does the speaker give to illustrate their point about faking it?

The speaker mentions faking confidence during their public speaking, adding fictional achievements on a CV, and pretending to like a grandparent's gift as examples of how people commonly fake aspects of themselves to get by.

How does the speaker connect 'faking it' to academic and professional success?

The speaker mentions that faking confidence or skills can help individuals advance in their careers or academic pursuits. They cite their own example of getting into Oxford by writing a personal statement that presented a slightly exaggerated version of their relationship with English literature.

What argument does the speaker make about 'faking it' in the context of university life?

The speaker claims that university life, especially at Oxford, is an environment where people reinvent themselves and 'fake it' to fit in or succeed, emphasizing that it's a world of masks, not just literal ones, but metaphorical ones used to project different personas.

What is the speaker's take on faking expertise in dangerous situations?

The speaker acknowledges that faking expertise, such as pretending to be a doctor or believing one can land a plane, can be dangerous. However, they humorously commend the belief in such scenarios, noting that confidence, even if misguided, can be more useful than passive fear.

Why does the speaker refer to Oxford's club scene as part of their argument?

The speaker uses Oxford’s club scene to illustrate how people fake enjoyment or confidence in social situations, often under the influence of alcohol or other substances, which aligns with the theme of faking it for social acceptance or enjoyment.

What is the significance of the references to political figures like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak?

The speaker references political figures like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak as examples of people who may have 'faked it' in various ways to achieve positions of power, highlighting that adopting new personas or hiding certain truths can be part of the political game.

What does the speaker mean by 'Oxford itself is a world of masks'?

The speaker suggests that in Oxford, and perhaps in other universities, people often adopt different personas or 'masks' to fit into social and academic life, faking parts of themselves to reach goals or be accepted by others.