Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Commencement Address | Harvard Commencement 2017

Summary

In a heartfelt address to Harvard's Class of 2017, the speaker reflects on his own journey, from a college dropout to a global tech leader, emphasizing the importance of purpose beyond personal success. He urges the graduates to create a world where everyone can find a sense of purpose, tackling large-scale projects, redefining equality to foster freedom, and building global communities. The speech is a call to action for the millennial generation to embrace their potential to drive positive change and innovation, while acknowledging the challenges of the modern world.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker acknowledges the accomplishment of the graduates and shares a personal connection with the graduating class, having walked the same grounds and experienced similar aspects of Harvard.
• 📚 The speaker fondly recalls his time at Harvard, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities and the value of forming meaningful relationships, as exemplified by his friendship with KX Jin and his relationship with Priscilla.
• 🚀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of purpose, suggesting that it is not just about finding one's own purpose but also about creating a world where everyone can find a sense of purpose.
• 🔑 The story of JFK and the janitor illustrates the idea that everyone can contribute to something larger than themselves, which is a key part of finding purpose.
• 🌐 The speaker discusses the challenges of the current generation, such as job displacement due to technology and automation, and the need to create new opportunities and a sense of community.
• 🌟 The speaker shares his experience with Facebook, emphasizing the importance of taking initiative and not waiting for someone else to make a change in the world.
• 💡 The idea that purpose can be a driving force for innovation and progress is highlighted, with the speaker urging the graduates to start projects without waiting for a perfect plan.
• 🛠️ The speaker calls for the graduates to undertake big, meaningful projects that can provide a sense of pride and accomplishment, both individually and collectively.
• 💼 The speaker argues for the redefinition of equality to include not just economic metrics but also the opportunity for everyone to pursue a meaningful role in society.
• 🤝 The speaker encourages building communities, both locally and globally, as a way to foster a sense of belonging and purpose among all people.
• 🌱 The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging the graduates to find the courage to make their lives a blessing and to contribute positively to the world.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech given by the speaker at Harvard's commencement ceremony?

The main theme of the speech is the importance of finding and creating a sense of purpose, not just for oneself, but for everyone in the world, and the challenges and opportunities of the current generation.

Why does the speaker consider the prank website Facemash significant in his life?

The speaker considers Facemash significant because it indirectly led to him meeting his future wife, Priscilla, which he describes as the most important person in his life.

What is the speaker's view on the role of purpose in creating true happiness?

The speaker believes that purpose is what creates true happiness, as it gives individuals a sense that they are part of something bigger than themselves, that they are needed, and that they have something better to work for.

According to the speaker, what is the generational challenge posed by technology and automation?

The generational challenge posed by technology and automation is the elimination of many jobs and the decline in community memberships, leading to a need to create new jobs and a renewed sense of purpose for people.

What does the speaker suggest as the first way to create a world where everyone has a sense of purpose?

The first way suggested by the speaker is to take on big meaningful projects together, such as addressing climate change, curing diseases, modernizing democracy, and personalizing education.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of failure in achieving success?

The speaker believes that the freedom to fail is crucial for success, as it allows individuals to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and ultimately achieve greater things.

How does the speaker propose to redefine equality to give everyone the freedom to pursue purpose?

The speaker proposes redefining equality by exploring ideas like universal basic income, providing affordable childcare and healthcare, focusing less on punishment and more on continuous education, and ensuring that everyone has a meaningful role in society.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of wealth inequality and its impact on society?

The speaker views the current state of wealth inequality as problematic because it restricts the freedom of many people to take risks and pursue their dreams, which in turn affects the overall progress and innovation of society.

How does the speaker encourage the audience to contribute to their communities?

The speaker encourages the audience to contribute to their communities by giving time, sharing their experiences, and helping others reach their potential, as he himself did by teaching entrepreneurship at a local Boys and Girls Club.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of building global community and facing the challenges of our time?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of building a global community to face challenges such as climate change and disease, and to counter the forces of authoritarianism, isolationism, and nationalism with the values of freedom, openness, and global connection.

What personal anecdote does the speaker share to illustrate the power of having a sense of purpose?

The speaker shares the story of an undocumented student he mentored, who despite facing uncertainty about his future, showed a strong sense of purpose by focusing on social justice and wanting to help others.