Trevor Noah: Human Capital is Changing the Future

Summary

Trevor Noah, a comedian and host of The Daily Show, delivers an insightful speech at the Goalkeepers event. He shares his personal story growing up in South Africa during apartheid, highlighting his mixed heritage and the challenges faced by his family. Noah emphasizes the importance of optimism and the power of information in driving change, particularly among millennials. He encourages the audience to harness the tools of technology to engage with activism and become 'goalkeepers' in their own right.

Takeaways

• 📱 'Welcome to the millennial age' - Trevor Noah acknowledges the digital age where people often interact through screens rather than in person.
• 🙏 'Thank you very much, Bill and Melinda' - Noah expresses gratitude to Bill and Melinda Gates for inviting him to speak at the Goalkeepers event.
• 🌍 'I do not have a fridge that can change lives' - He humorously points out that he doesn't have a technological innovation or a grand plan like some other speakers, but he brings his thoughts and stories.
• 🇿🇦 'I grew up in South Africa, during a time known as apartheid' - Noah shares his personal background, growing up in a mixed-race family during apartheid, which was illegal.
• 👩👨 'My mother's a black woman, a Xhosa woman from South Africa, and my father's Swiss from Switzerland' - He describes his heritage and the cultural mix within his family.
• 🌈 'Apartheid was a system of laws which made it illegal for black people and white people to integrate with each other' - Noah explains the segregation and laws he lived under.
• 🌟 'My mother was one of those people' - He credits his mother's optimism and strength as a significant influence in his life.
• 📈 'I believe the world is getting better, is because we have access to information' - Noah argues that access to information is a powerful tool that can lead to positive change.
• 🌎 'Young people communicate across borders, across continents' - He notes the global connectivity of youth and their potential to drive change.
• 🔥 'Millennials oftentimes are marked as they're lazy, they believe that they're entitled' - Noah addresses common stereotypes about millennials but also acknowledges their drive and desire for change.
• 🤷‍♂️ 'I don't know how to feel about [Donald Trump]' - Noah expresses the paradoxical emotions he feels towards Trump's presidency, both fear and amusement.
• 🌳 'Climate change is one of those, and that's where young people are stepping up' - He points out the active role of the youth in combating climate change.
• 🤝 'There is an opportunity, for everyone to become a goalkeeper' - Noah encourages the audience to engage with activists and use their influence for good.
• 🎓 'I am a millennial, and by proxy I hope to be a goalkeeper' - He identifies himself with the millennial generation and aspires to be a part of positive change.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Trevor Noah's speech at the Goalkeepers event?

The main theme of Trevor Noah's speech is optimism and the power of information in driving change, particularly among the millennial generation.

How does Trevor Noah describe his experience growing up during apartheid in South Africa?

Trevor Noah describes his experience growing up during apartheid as challenging, being part of a mixed family where his mother was a black Xhosa woman and his father was a white Swiss man, which was against the law at the time.

What does Trevor Noah credit for his belief that the world is getting better?

Trevor Noah credits access to information about the state of the world as one of the reasons he believes the world is getting better.

How does Trevor Noah view the role of young people in today's world?

Trevor Noah views young people as driven and engaged, capable of changing the course of history and not just being part of it.

What does Trevor Noah say about the power of laughter in the face of adversity?

Trevor Noah says that laughter allows people to process the real world without being controlled by fear, and it helps them experience their truer selves.

How does Trevor Noah describe the impact of social media and technology on activism?

Trevor Noah describes social media and technology as powerful tools that allow young people to communicate across borders and engage in activism, turning hashtag activism into real-world action.

What is Trevor Noah's opinion on the current political engagement of young people?

Trevor Noah believes that young people are more engaged in politics than ever before, understanding that they have the power to change the course of history.

How does Trevor Noah feel about Donald Trump's presidency?

Trevor Noah expresses a mix of terror and amusement regarding Donald Trump's presidency, comparing it to a paradoxical situation where he feels both fear and the need to laugh.

What does Trevor Noah suggest people do with the power and knowledge they possess?

Trevor Noah encourages people to use their power, ability, information, and knowledge to engage with activists and take action for change.

What does Trevor Noah say about the importance of optimism in the face of challenges?

Trevor Noah emphasizes the importance of optimism, citing his mother's influence and the example set by the Goalkeepers organization in seeing and pursuing a better future.

How does Trevor Noah relate his personal experiences to the concept of being a 'goalkeeper'?

Trevor Noah relates his personal experiences of growing up in a mixed-race family during apartheid and his mother's optimism to the concept of being a 'goalkeeper' by highlighting the importance of striving for a better future despite adversity.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Digital Age and Global Connectivity

Trevor Noah begins by expressing the peculiarity of addressing an audience through their phones rather than in person, highlighting the digital age's impact on social interaction. He thanks Bill and Melinda Gates for inviting him to speak at the Goalkeepers event and humorously downplays his contributions compared to other speakers with groundbreaking ideas. Noah shares his background growing up in South Africa during apartheid, discussing the challenges faced by his mixed-race family. He emphasizes the importance of optimism, drawing a parallel between his mother's outlook and the spirit of Goalkeepers. Noah argues that access to information is a powerful tool for change, especially for the younger generation who communicate across borders and are increasingly engaged in politics, as seen in America and South Africa.

05:01

🗣️ The Power of Youth and Political Engagement

In the second paragraph, Trevor Noah discusses the stereotype of millennials as lazy and entitled, but also acknowledges their drive and desire for change. He notes the increased political engagement among young people, who understand they can alter history. Noah reflects on his experience as host of The Daily Show, observing that his audience, particularly the youth, are not just growing into politics but are actively engaged in a way that was previously unseen. He humorously addresses his mixed feelings about Donald Trump's presidency, expressing both fear and amusement. Noah emphasizes the importance of laughter as a means to process fear and adversity, a lesson he learned from his mother. He concludes by encouraging the audience to become 'goalkeepers' themselves, leveraging technology to engage with activists and effect change, and proudly identifies as a millennial and a goalkeeper.

Keywords

💡Millennial Age

The 'Millennial Age' refers to the period dominated by the generation born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s to early 2000s. In the context of the video, Trevor Noah references this age to highlight the unique experiences and behaviors of millennials, such as their reliance on technology and social media for communication, exemplified by his anecdote about not knowing what a friend looks like in person because they only interacted through phones.

💡Apartheid

Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that existed from 1948 until the early 1990s. Noah's upbringing during apartheid shapes his perspective and informs his narrative. He discusses the challenges of growing up in a mixed-race family during this time, which was illegal and socially ostracized.

💡Optimism

Optimism, as discussed in the video, is the belief or hope that things will improve or that outcomes will be positive. Noah relates this concept to his mother's attitude and the ethos of the Goalkeepers organization, which focuses on positive change despite the hardships faced, such as living through apartheid.

💡Information

Information is a central theme in the video, referring to the data, knowledge, or news that people receive. Noah argues that access to information is empowering, particularly for young people, as it allows them to be aware of global issues and potentially influence change, as seen in their engagement with social and political issues.

💡Global Connectivity

Global connectivity refers to the increasing interconnection of people, businesses, and communities worldwide through technology and communication. Noah mentions how young people today can communicate across borders and continents, which was not as prevalent in the past, highlighting the interconnectedness facilitated by technology.

💡Engagement

Engagement in this context refers to the active involvement or participation in activities, particularly in social and political issues. Noah notes the high level of engagement among young people, who are not just passive observers but are actively trying to shape the world, as evidenced by their reaction to events like hurricanes and political developments.

💡Status Quo

The 'status quo' is the current state of affairs or the existing state of things. Noah talks about young people's resistance to accepting the status quo, indicating a desire for change and improvement, which is a recurring theme in discussions about activism and social progress.

💡Hashtag Activism

Hashtag Activism refers to the use of social media and hashtags to raise awareness and show support for social and political causes. Noah addresses the criticism that millennials are just 'hashtag activists,' suggesting that this form of activism can be a stepping stone to more tangible action.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a significant theme in the video, referring to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Noah uses the increasing intensity of natural disasters like hurricanes as evidence of climate change and calls for action, highlighting the urgency felt by young people to address this global issue.

💡Fear vs. Laughter

The contrast between 'Fear' and 'Laughter' is used by Noah to illustrate the dual nature of human emotions and reactions. He discusses how laughter can be a tool to overcome fear, even in the face of serious challenges, such as the presidency of Donald Trump, which he describes as both terrifying and humorous.

💡Goalkeepers

The term 'Goalkeepers' refers to the people or organization that aims to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Noah connects his personal story and the broader themes of optimism and activism to the mission of the Goalkeepers, emphasizing the role of individuals in driving positive change.

Highlights

Trevor Noah discusses the strange experience of speaking to an audience virtually.

He expresses gratitude to Bill and Melinda Gates for inviting him to speak at the Goalkeepers event.

Trevor admits he doesn't have a tangible invention or a grand plan like other speakers, but offers to share his thoughts and stories.

He shares his background growing up in South Africa during apartheid.

Trevor describes the challenges of growing up in a mixed-race family during apartheid.

He emphasizes the optimism and forward-thinking of his mother despite the hardships she faced.

Trevor connects the optimism of Goalkeepers with his mother's outlook on life.

He discusses the importance of access to information and how it's making the world a better place.

Trevor highlights the power of young people communicating across borders.

He argues that millennials are often misunderstood but are driven to make a change.

Trevor shares his perspective on the role of information and technology in empowering young people.

He reflects on the engagement of young people in politics, particularly in America.

Trevor humorously describes his mixed feelings about Donald Trump's presidency.

He emphasizes the importance of laughter and not being controlled by fear.

Trevor suggests that the world is improving, drawing an analogy to the body's imperceptible daily changes.

He calls for young people to step up on issues like climate change.

Trevor encourages the audience to become 'goalkeepers' and engage with activists.

He concludes by expressing pride in being a millennial and a goalkeeper.

Transcripts

- Good morning/afternoon everybody.

Good to have you.

This is weird 'cause I'm just gonna talk

to your phones and we're right here.

It's a strange experience.

Welcome to the millennial age.

You'll have the picture and you'll show it to your friend

and they'll go what does he look like in person?

You go, I don't know,

I was also looking at my phone

when I should have been there with him.

First of all, thank you very much, Bill and Melinda

for having me.

When I was first asked to be here

they said hey, we want you to come and speak

at this event, Goalkeepers,

and talk about what's happening in the world

and I looked through all of the people

that were speaking and I said

but I have nothing.

I do not have a fridge that can change lives,

I do not have a plan to eradicate HIV in South Africa

and in southern Africa and the rest of the continent

and I most definitely cannot ride a motorbike

so I don't know what I can do for you.

Bill just said come and share your thoughts,

your stories, your ideas

and I guess that's how I process information.

That's how I process my world,

so, I'll tell you a little bit about myself

and why Goalkeepers means so much to me.

So, in case you don't know me, my name is Trevor Noah,

I grew up in South Africa

during a time known as apartheid

and for those who don't know,

apartheid was a system of laws

which made it illegal for black people

and white people to integrate with each other

amongst other things.

Black people lived in separate areas to white people,

they had different rules,

they were segregated

and this was particularly tough for me

because I grew up in a mixed family,

well, with me being the mixed one in the family.

My mother's a black woman, a Xhosa woman from South Africa

and in case you're wondering, Xhosa is one of the languages

with the clicks in it, Xhosa.

(Trevor speaks in foreign language)

Xhosa but not like in American movies.

I've seen those movies

where they have the Africans and they're like.

(Trevor speaks in foreign language)

That's not a language, alright?

No, even we watch those movies

and we're like I wonder what they are saying.

It's not a language

but my mother's a Xhosa woman, South African,

my father's Swiss from Switzerland

and was a white man and still is a white man,

he didn't change and so they got together

during this time which was against the law

and they had me

and it wasn't easy growing up in this family

and that's really where our journey began

because we were a family that couldn't be together,

we were a family that was for all intents and purposes

a crime that existed, me being the born

from my mother because of my father

was me being born a crime

and one of the biggest things

I connected with when reading about Goalkeepers

and learning about the organization

was the optimism,

was the ability to see what no one could see

at a time when no one should almost have the right to see it

and my mother was one of those people.

My mother's a beautiful, powerful woman

who endured a lot during her life.

We lived through apartheid in South Africa,

we lived through her going on to marry a man

who was extremely abusive, an alcoholic

and throughout all of that

the one thing that I always admired in my mom

was that she had the ability

to appreciate the reality

of the world she was in

but also optimistically pursue

the future that she wished to exist in

and that's for me what Goalkeepers is all about, optimism.

People always ask, they go is the world

going to be in a better place?

Is the world getting better

or is it getting worse.

Now, depending on who you ask

there will always be a different answer.

I've come to find one of the reasons

I believe the world is getting better

is because we have access to information

on how bad the world actually is

which I know is a strange thing to say

but that's honestly what I believe.

As a young person

and as someone who makes a show for young people,

one of the most powerful tools

I've realized is information.

We come from an age

where there was misinformation, disinformation

and there is some of it today

but now more than ever

young people communicate across borders,

across continents,

you see people in England and in America

and South Africa tweeting,

talking to people in Myanmar.

You see people speaking out about what they see happening

in Sudan, you see people commiserating

and sharing with victims of hurricanes

across the Caribbean

or across Texas

and whenever I look at that I go

it's one of the most powerful tools

that if harnessed correctly can lead

to a completely new way

that we communicate and that we change the world.

And young people are driven.

That's one of the most beautiful things I've realized

is that we live in a new age.

Millennials oftentimes are marked

as they're lazy, they believe that they're entitled

and they cry about small things

which is true but they're also driven,

they also wish to make a change,

they also believe that they can make a change.

I believe that information

and these tools that we possess today

have helped increase that.

More than ever we see that in America.

As the host of The Daily Show

I'm obviously in a world

where we comment on news and politics

and one thing I've noticed with my audience

is not only are young people growing

into the world of politics

but they're engaged, engaged in a way

that people were never engaged before,

engaged in a way where they understand

that they can actually change the course of history

as opposed to just being a part of it.

It's a beautiful experience

to see that's taking place across continents.

In my home country South Africa

we see the same thing,

young people standing up and saying

we don't accept the status quo,

we can change our destiny,

we can change the future,

we can be a part of this world

and essentially that's what's happening in America

right now, you feel it.

People always come up to me

and they go, Trevor, as the host of The Daily Show

how do you feel about Donald Trump?

I say well, I don't know how to feel about him

that's the honest truth.

He's a paradox for me emotionally.

One part of me is terrified

at the notion that he is president

of the most powerful nation of the world,

the other side of me knows

that every day he's going to make me laugh.

I cannot deny this.

The best way I can put it

is it's almost like there's a giant astroid headed

towards the Earth

but it's shaped like penis.

(laughing)

I think I'm gonna die

but I know I'm gonna laugh.

(laughing)

And this is a tough place to be in

because you have to process

the very real situation that you are in

and that is a dangerous one

but at the same time you can acknowledge

that when you laugh,

you're not controlled by fear

and that's something that I've always lived with

in my life, in my family.

My mother always said to me,

she said when we are laughing, we are not afraid.

When we are laughing

we are experiencing our truer selves.

It doesn't mean what I happening to us is not real

but it means that we can process

the very real world that is happening to us

and in many ways

I try and look at the positives.

People go, is the world getting better?

I go I believe it's always getting better

but in many ways the world is like the body.

You cannot see the change when you look at it

every single day

but if you take snapshots

you can see how things are getting better.

you can also see how some things are getting worse,

climate change is one of those

and that's where young people are stepping up

and saying hey, hurricanes are a good example,

the intensity of these once-in-a-lifetime events

has increased, maybe it's time to do something.

Young people are speaking up.

Donald Trump is doing that.

People are speaking up,

they're engaging like never before.

For the first time in history

we're living through a time period

where we're learning about the presidency

at the same time as the president

which is engaging people like never before.

You wake up, you read the newspaper

and you go I never knew this before

and somewhere at that exact same moment

the president is reading that same newspaper

saying the exact same thing

and that for me is exciting.

Is it scary?

Yes, but most exciting things are scary

but honestly, I saw it over the last few weeks

and I mean it's still unfolding now.

You have Hurricane Maria

which is wreaking havoc

and moving to Puerto Rico now

and we're seeing the devastation

but we've also seen the giving.

I was touched by how many people

even on our show reached out

and there is an opportunity

for everyone to become a goalkeeper

which is what excites me

and that is in this new world of technology

we have the opportunity

to engage with activists

on the ground level.

People often mock millennials and they say

these are hashtag activists

and I argue they're hashtag activists

until they're given the opportunity

to take it from a tweet

into the street and so I urge

every single one of you in this room

if you have the power, if you have the ability,

if you have the information or the knowledge,

take these people up on what they're offering.

They're energized,

they're optimistic,

they're powerful beyond all measure

and I'm proud to say that I am one of them,

I am a millennial

and by proxy I hope to be a goalkeeper.

Thank you very much for having me

and congratulations on everything today.