5 talks that will change your life
Every so often you encounter a speech/video during the time spent procrastinating on Youtube that changes how you see the world. Here are my top 5.
Over the years, I’ve procrastinated for hours on Youtube. Every so often, I’ve come across a speech that’s had a profound impact on the way I see the world. Here are the top 5 in descending order. Each one of these I’ve heard multiple times for both the entertainment value and the nuggets of truth for leading a better life.
I’ve listed them in descending order along with quotes or important take-aways that I’ve found from each one.
How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals | Stephen Dunier
This hilarious speech chronicles Stephen Dunier’s life from an almost failing student to doing extra-ordinary and ambitious tasks including “yarn bombing” a hospital! This is the perfect antidote for those who believe that living an extra-ordinary life is only for other people.
Key point: doing small things over time adds up to extra-ordinary
The Best Stats You’ve Ever Seen! | Hans Rosling
The now deceased Hans Rosling had such an amazing passion for data and visualisation that he single-handedly sparked my curiosity in the then nascent field of data-visualisations. This speech, in my opinion, is his most infectious, showing the history of the world through ever more incredible statistics. We’re so often confronted about stories recounting how bad the world is that we forget that on average, the world IS getting better over time…
Key point: The conditions of the world always ebb and flow but on some key markers, things are getting better!
You are not special | David McCullough Jr.
A mild-mannered English teacher takes to the podium to deliver one of the most hilarious but truth-filled commencement speeches ever. In just over 20 mins, he tears apart commonly used euphemisms and challenges the recent graduates to live lives worthy of their privileges. This is one I listen to every so often
Key quote: “So think about this: even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you.”
Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry | Steve Jobs
Soon after Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he delivered a power speech during his last days. In it, he recounts 3 stories that had shaped his life. From dropping out of a formal education only to explore his passions and drop into college classes for another little while, to founding and then being kicked out of Apple to finally facing his mortality. It’s quite a tale from quite a visionary…
Key quote: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
This is Water| David Foster Wallace
If there is one speech I have re-listened to the most, this is singularly it. I listen to this several times a year and every time, I come away with new layer of information that I missed the previous time. The late David Foster Wallace imbues this speech with amazing wit, humour and heart, urging us to find the amazing in the everyday and find the meaning in the toil that is modern life.
Key quote: “And the so-called real world will not discourage you from operating on your default settings, because the so-called real world of men and money and power hums merrily along in a pool of fear and anger and frustration and craving and worship of self. Our own present culture has harnessed these forces in ways that have yielded extraordinary wealth and comfort and personal freedom. The freedom all to be lords of our tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the centre of all creation.
