I guess I might have included "Do what I say, not what I do." But they've heard that one.
More and more, just the idea of "teaching" a journalism class feels beyond my ability to advise.
And I sure wouldn't want to give a real commencement speech this year with all the tumult over Israel and Hamas and the need for a lot of students, though well-intentioned, to take one side or the other. The best counsel I've seen was from a column by the Times' Thomas Friedman, was that colleges ought to teach kids "how to think" instead of "what to think."
As for commencement advice, Stephens -- and you -- offer the best. Stop with the food selfies. Spread on the sunscreen. And, oh, yes, Don't do anything stupid.
I think I would add the axiom about always wear clean underwear in case you are in a car accident. It might have been Henry Ford who said it when the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line. Another way to make them laugh is to begin your speech, then stop and look at your phone to see if you had any new texts or Tweets. Should make the kids feel at ease.
This is a lot funnier than what I tried. And better advice, too.
Thanks, Fred.
I guess I might have included "Do what I say, not what I do." But they've heard that one.
More and more, just the idea of "teaching" a journalism class feels beyond my ability to advise.
And I sure wouldn't want to give a real commencement speech this year with all the tumult over Israel and Hamas and the need for a lot of students, though well-intentioned, to take one side or the other. The best counsel I've seen was from a column by the Times' Thomas Friedman, was that colleges ought to teach kids "how to think" instead of "what to think."
Swell piece, John, all the way through.
As for commencement advice, Stephens -- and you -- offer the best. Stop with the food selfies. Spread on the sunscreen. And, oh, yes, Don't do anything stupid.
I think I would add the axiom about always wear clean underwear in case you are in a car accident. It might have been Henry Ford who said it when the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line. Another way to make them laugh is to begin your speech, then stop and look at your phone to see if you had any new texts or Tweets. Should make the kids feel at ease.