Female Orator Mariam Jalloul | Harvard Commencement 2016 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Despite the pressure to succeed outwardly, true success lies in personal growth and making a positive impact, even if it is unseen by others.

Key Insights

• 💗 Widener Library had to grow downwards due to restrictions on changes to its exterior, highlighting the unconventional direction of growth.
• 😌 Success is often measured externally, but true success lies in internal growth, personal values, and making a positive impact on others.
• 🧑‍🎓 Harvard students are encouraged to value unseen successes that may not go on their resumes, such as community service, activism, and personal growth.
• 🌍 Unseen successes help individuals develop compassion, kindness, and patience, and contribute to making the world a better place.
• 🍃 The world needs individuals who pursue what enlivens them and leave a positive impact, regardless of external achievements.
• 🫥 Personal growth and success may not always be visible to the outside world, but they are still valuable and significant.
• 💄 The pressure to succeed outwardly should not overshadow the importance of personal growth and making a positive difference.

Transcript

ladies and gentlemen look down you are standing atop miles literally miles of bookshelves beneath your feet are millions of books that stretch five floors underground and extend out into this yard they are part of the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library standing tall behind you thanks to the Harvard student tour guides I've heard the story of Wid... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Widener Library have to expand underground?

Widener Library had to expand underground because the donor forbade any changes to the library's exterior, so the only option was to go deeper underground to accommodate the growing book collection.

Q: How do Harvard students measure success?

Harvard students often measure success through high GPAs, extracurricular activities, and securing prestigious internships, all visible achievements.

Q: What examples of unseen successes are mentioned?

Examples of unseen successes at Harvard include volunteering beyond duty, engaging in conversations on social issues like sexual assault, and holding vigils for victims of violence.

Q: Why is it important to value internal successes?

Valuing internal successes allows individuals to foster compassion, kindness, and patience, and it helps make the world a better place. These unseen successes have true value and significance.

Summary

This video reflects on the story of the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library at Harvard University and how its unconventional growth direction serves as a metaphor for personal success. It highlights the pressure to succeed in a visible and traditional way, but emphasizes the importance of valuing internal success and making a positive impact in ways that may not be immediately apparent to the outside world.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why was the Harry Elkins Widener Library built?

The library was built in memory of Harry Widener, a book lover who tragically died on the Titanic. His mother donated two million dollars for the construction of the library.

Q: How did the library expand to accommodate its growing book collection?

Since the library couldn't be expanded outward due to the stipulation of not changing its exterior, it had to expand deep underground. This led to the library being referred to as the tip of the iceberg.

Q: How did students at Harvard University traditionally measure success?

Success at Harvard was often measured by achievements that were visible to others, such as high GPAs, extracurricular activities, and prestigious internships. These accomplishments were immediately apparent to peers, employers, and graduate schools.

Q: According to the video, why did students choose to attend Harvard?

Students had various reasons for choosing Harvard, such as wanting to have the best four years of their lives, reinforcing political beliefs, impressing others with knowledge, or making a meaningful impact in the world.

Q: What does the video suggest about the expectation of success after graduating from Harvard?

There is an expectation that Harvard graduates will ascend to high ranks in society, becoming presidents, Nobel laureates, governors, Pulitzer Prize authors, and heads of state. The video highlights that success is not always visible and that it's okay if success is not externally recognized.

Q: What kind of successes did the speaker witness during their time at Harvard?

The speaker witnessed various successes that were not necessarily visible on resumes, including mentoring high school students, addressing the issue of sexual assault, advocating for Black lives, and holding vigils for victims of violence worldwide.

Q: What is the significance of the unseen successes?

The unseen successes were deemed important because they helped foster compassion, kindness, and patience. They made individuals more humane and had the power to create positive change in the world.

Q: How does the video reflect on the life of Harry Widener?

The video ponders what Harry Widener's life would have been like had he not died on the Titanic. It points out that his success was tied to his passion for books, rather than external achievements. It suggests that success is not solely measured by the world's standards.

Q: What does the video say about external achievements and their significance?

The video argues that external achievements are only the tip of the iceberg and not necessarily what the world needs. It encourages individuals to prioritize internal growth and success that may go unnoticed by others but deeply impact the individual and the world.

Q: What is the main message of the video?

The main message is to value and pursue success in unconventional ways, grow internally, and make a positive impact in ways that may not be visible to the outside world.

Takeaways

The video reminds us that success is not solely defined by visible external achievements. It encourages individuals to prioritize personal growth and make a positive impact in unconventional ways. The unseen successes, often unenforced behind the world of visible achievements, can be just as significant and have the power to foster compassion, kindness, and change. Let us focus on internal growth and success, and go forth in whichever direction allows us to make a difference in the world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Harry Widener Library was built as a memorial to a book lover who tragically died on the Titanic and it had to grow downwards to accommodate its growing book collection.

• In a similar way, personal growth and success may not always be visible to the outside world.

• Harvard students are encouraged to value internal successes that may not go on their resumes, such as community service, activism, and personal growth.