MIT Commencement Address by Mark Rober

Introduction

• Speaker: Mark Rober, former Apple and NASA engineer, current YouTuber.
• Event: MIT Class of 2023 Commencement Address.
• Theme: Putting yourself out there, trying new things to improve and eventually conquer them.

Key Points of the Speech

Naive Optimism

• Definition: Seeing optimism in the future when unaware of challenges ahead.
• Example: Fresh MIT students may not anticipate the number of hardships they'll face, such as all-nighters.
• Advice: Embrace curiosity and passion, pick paths despite lacking full knowledge, and approach challenges with confidence.

Framing Failures

• Experiment: Rober conducted a test on YouTube viewers highlighting how framing failures affects persistence and success.
• Gaming Parallel: In video games, failures are seen as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
• Real-Life Application: Treat failures as learning steps in life, akin to video game challenges to enhance progress and satisfaction.

Fostering Relationships

• Importance: As life progresses, maintaining close relationships becomes challenging but essential.
• Confirmation Bias: Employ positive bias by assuming good intentions in people, enhancing interpersonal relationships.
• Personal Anecdote: Rober credits his upbringing and mother's influence for his success.

Additional Advice

• Engage in Playful Anarchy: Encourage creativity and unconventional approaches, such as making a graduation cap fly.
• Importance of Collaboration: Work together to make meaningful impacts in society.

Conclusion

• Challenge to Graduates: Use optimism, resilience, and relationships to navigate and influence the world positively.
• Creative Ending: Encourages the graduates to venture out and make a difference, aiming for a future collaboration.

Final Note

• Impact: Speeches and advice convey enthusiasm and unpredictability, urging graduates to embrace change and innovation.