What "Follow Your Dreams" Misses | Harvey Mudd Commencement Speech 2024

Summary

In this inspiring speech, Grant Sanderson reflects on his journey with mathematics and its intersection with physics, computer science, and quantum computing. He emphasizes the importance of creating value for others and adapting to change, rather than rigidly pursuing personal dreams. Sanderson encourages graduates to consider how their passions can intersect with benefiting society, to embrace opportunities that arise from current trends, and to influence the dreams of the next generation.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker, Grant Sanderson, is celebrated for his work in blending mathematics and physics, particularly in the areas of kinematics, optics, and quantum computing.
• 📈 Grant's lecture was highly appreciated by the students, leading to an overwhelming vote to invite him back for a graduation speech.
• 🌟 Grant's passion is to teach and inspire others with the beauty and power of mathematics.
• 🚀 He acknowledges that while following one's passion is important, there are practical aspects to consider for success, such as aligning personal interests with providing value to others.
• 🤔 Grant reflects on his own career path, noting that his initial focus on personal enjoyment of mathematics evolved into a desire to create value through teaching and creating educational content.
• 💡 He emphasizes the importance of not only personal growth but also the value one brings to others, suggesting a shift in focus from self-improvement to benefiting society.
• 🎻 Using the analogy of two musicians, Grant illustrates the difference between pursuing technical perfection and creating work that resonates emotionally with an audience.
• 🛤️ Grant suggests that success often comes from aligning one's skills with opportunities that add value to others, rather than simply following a predetermined dream.
• 🌱 He shares that action often precedes motivation, encouraging graduates to take steps that lead to opportunities where their skills can intersect with creating value.
• ⏳ Grant highlights the importance of timing, suggesting that the opportunities available today might not have been possible 10 years ago, and to consider how the future may change.
• 🌐 He encourages graduates to think beyond their own dreams, recognizing the impact they can have on the dreams and aspirations of future generations.

Q & A

Who is Grant Sanderson and what is his profession?

Grant Sanderson is a mathematician who creates videos about mathematics with an emphasis on visualization. He is known for his work on 3Blue1Brown, a YouTube channel focused on explaining mathematical concepts visually.

What did Grant Sanderson explore in his lecture about the intersection of mathematics and physics?

Grant Sanderson explored unexpected connections between kinematics, optics, and quantum computing in his lecture.

What was the reaction of the students to Grant Sanderson's speech at Harvey Mudd?

The students at Harvey Mudd greatly enjoyed Grant Sanderson's speech, and the seniors voted overwhelmingly to invite him back to speak at the commencement.

What is Grant Sanderson's approach to inspiring others with mathematics?

Grant Sanderson aspires to teach and inspire the world with the beauty and power of mathematics.

What does Grant Sanderson think about the common advice of 'following your dreams'?

Grant Sanderson believes that while it's true that following one's passion can lead to great achievements, there are practical aspects that are often overlooked in such motivational speeches.

How does Grant Sanderson view the transition from college to post-college life in terms of goals?

Grant Sanderson views the transition from college to post-college life as a shift from a primary goal of personal growth and learning to a goal of effectively bringing value to others.

What analogy does Grant Sanderson use to describe the difference between personal growth and creating value?

Grant Sanderson uses the analogy of two musicians, Paganini and Taylor, to describe the difference between personal growth and creating value. Paganini represents technical perfection, while Taylor represents emotional resonance with an audience.

What advice does Grant Sanderson give to those who want to turn their passion into a career?

Grant Sanderson advises to take a step back and recognize that the passion emerged during a period of life focused on learning and growth, but the primary goal shifts towards creating value for others in the post-college phase.

How does Grant Sanderson feel about the role of chance in his career?

Grant Sanderson acknowledges that luck played a role in his career, but he also believes that having some foresight can help avoid relying solely on chance.

What does Grant Sanderson suggest when considering the timing of pursuing one's dreams?

Grant Sanderson suggests considering what is possible now that wasn't possible 10 years ago and what might become more difficult in another 10 years, as a way to increase the likelihood of realizing one's dreams.

How does Grant Sanderson encourage graduates to think about the impact they can have on future generations?

Grant Sanderson encourages graduates to think about the significant impact they can have on future generations by considering the influence they can exert, especially on those who are younger.