Mark Rober, a popular YouTuber known for his creative and scientific experiments, has given this advice to the graduating class of MIT in 2023.
"Embrace naive optimism!" - This statement encourages us to maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of difficulties or uncertainties. It's about having a forward-looking perspective that sees potential where others may see problems. Naive optimism, as the term suggests, is optimism without the burden of past failures or the cynicism that often comes with age and experience.
"Have the irrational confidence of a child learning to walk." - This refers to the relentless, unquestioning determination and confidence that a child displays when they are learning to walk. Despite falling countless times, a child continues to stand up and try again, seemingly unfazed by failure. They are wholly confident that they will succeed, even if the evidence might suggest otherwise. This is a sort of "irrational confidence" because it doesn't consider the possibility of permanent failure. This is the mindset that Mark Rober is advocating for.
Combined, these two sentences are encouraging the graduates to tackle their future endeavors with undying optimism and unshakeable confidence, much like a child who is learning to walk. Despite failures, setbacks, or obstacles, they should continue to believe in their abilities and pursue their goals.
Nobel Prize: on this day in 1895 a Swedish millionaire Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament. In his will Nobel specified that the bulk of his fortune should be used for prizes to "those who shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”
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