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

3Blue1Brown

18 May 202415:30

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Embracing the Beauty of Mathematics

Grant Sanderson, known for his engaging math lectures, was invited back to speak at a graduation ceremony after a well-received lecture on the intersection of mathematics and physics. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and inspiring through the beauty and power of mathematics. Sanderson shares his career journey, starting with a passion for mathematics and exploring computer science and programming during college. He reflects on how societal encouragement and personal interest led him to excel in mathematics. He also discusses the transition from student life, focused on growth and learning, to post-college life, where success is measured by the value one brings to others. Sanderson suggests that while following one's passion is important, it's equally crucial to consider how one's work benefits society.

05:03

🚀 Balancing Passion with Creating Value

Grant Sanderson advises graduates to consider the context in which their passion developed, acknowledging that the primary goal during student life is learning and growth. He suggests that as one transitions to post-college life, the focus should shift towards creating value for others. Sanderson challenges the cliché of 'following your dreams' by emphasizing the importance of aligning personal aspirations with broader societal needs. He encourages graduates to seek opportunities where their skills can intersect with adding value to others, which he believes can lead to both success and personal fulfillment. Sanderson also shares his own experience of developing a career in creating math videos, which was not initially his dream but became a passion as he saw its value in educating others.

10:04

🌐 Adapting to Change and Influencing the Future

Grant Sanderson discusses the importance of timing and adaptability in achieving dreams. He suggests considering what is possible now that was not possible 10 years ago and preparing for future challenges. Sanderson shares his journey of creating math visualization videos, which became a career opportunity due to the evolving internet infrastructure. He emphasizes the role of chance and the importance of being in the right place at the right time. Sanderson also talks about the influence one can have on others, especially younger generations, and the responsibility graduates have in shaping the dreams and aspirations of those who come after them. He concludes by advising graduates to be flexible, to view their passions as a starting point rather than a fixed destination, and to embrace opportunities as they arise, adapting to the ever-changing world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mathematics

Mathematics refers to the abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines (applied mathematics). In the video, the speaker's passion for mathematics is evident as they discuss their career in creating math-related videos with a focus on visualization. The speaker's journey from a student who loved mathematics to someone who creates educational content highlights the central role of mathematics in their life and the video's theme of following one's passion.

💡Physics

Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. The script mentions a lecture by Moody that explores where mathematics and physics intersect, indicating an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the world. This concept is integral to the video's exploration of academic pursuits and the blending of different fields of study.

💡Kinematics

Kinematics is a branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of points, bodies (objects), and systems of bodies without considering the causes of motion— the forces or torques that cause them to move. The speaker researched unexpected connections between kinematics, optics, and quantum computing, which shows the video's theme of exploring the intersections of different scientific fields.

💡Optics

Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light, including its propagation and interaction with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. The script mentions the exploration of connections between optics and other fields, which underscores the video's theme of interdisciplinary study and the pursuit of knowledge across traditional academic boundaries.

💡Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is a type of computation that uses quantum bits (qubits) to perform calculations. It represents a significant shift from traditional computing and has the potential to revolutionize fields that require complex calculations. In the script, the speaker's research into quantum computing alongside kinematics and optics reflects the video's message about the importance of innovation and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration refers to the process of being motivated, typically to do something creative or original, by some external event or stimulus. The speaker, Grant, aims to teach and inspire the world with the beauty and power of mathematics, which is a central theme of the video. The idea of inspiring others is a recurring motif, as the speaker reflects on their own inspiration to pursue their passion.

💡Career

A career is a person's professional journey or the jobs they hold over the course of their working life. The script discusses the transition from student life, where the primary goal is growth and learning, to post-college life, where success is more about the value one brings to others. This shift in perspective is crucial to the video's narrative about personal development and professional fulfillment.

💡Value

In the context of the video, value refers to the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating value for others as a measure of success in one's career. This concept is central to the video's message about aligning personal passions with contributions to society.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion or feeling. In the script, the speaker discusses the idea of following one's dreams and how passion can drive one's career choices. However, they also caution against the notion that simply following one's passion is always the best advice, suggesting a more nuanced approach to career and life decisions.

💡Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new conditions or changes. The video script encourages the audience to be adaptable in the face of an unpredictable future. The speaker suggests that being flexible and responsive to changes in the world and within oneself is crucial for success and personal growth.

💡Dreams

Dreams, in the context of the video, refer to aspirations, ambitions, or goals that one holds. The speaker reflects on the common advice to 'follow your dreams,' questioning its efficacy and suggesting that dreams should be connected to creating value for a broader purpose beyond oneself. This concept is integral to the video's exploration of the relationship between personal desires and societal contributions.

Highlights

Grant's lecture on the intersection of mathematics and physics was well-received by students.

Grant's passion is to teach and inspire the world with the beauty and power of mathematics.

Grant's work involves creating videos about mathematics with a focus on visualization.

Grant believes that following one's passion is not always the best advice for everyone.

Grant suggests considering the orthogonal complement of the 'follow your dreams' advice.

Grant's love for mathematics was influenced by external validation and the positive feedback loop it created.

Grant emphasizes the importance of creating value for others in one's career.

Grant draws a parallel between personal growth in college and creating value post-college.

Grant uses the analogy of two musicians, Pagannini and Taylor, to illustrate the difference between personal growth and creating value.

Grant advises to consider the period in life when a passion was formed and how it might need to evolve for creating value.

Grant suggests that success in one's first job can make life easier for everyone around, even if it's not a passion.

Grant believes that action often precedes motivation, not the other way around.

Grant shares his personal journey of how he stumbled into a career that he loves.

Grant discusses the role of luck and timing in his career success.

Grant encourages graduates to consider what is possible now that wasn't 10 years ago.

Grant reflects on the influence of a single teacher's comment that led him to pursue mathematics.

Grant emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and responsive to changes in the world.

Grant suggests viewing passion not as a destination but as fuel for moving in a direction.

Grant encourages graduates to create value for others and to be at the helm of the ship that we all sail on.