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Inspiration for a new generation

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on May 15, 2008

Engaging students at the Research Center for Leadership in Action, Wagner School of Public Service, New York University

This week, I’ll be giving the convocation address to the graduating class at NYU’s School of Public Service. The speech is almost written. Almost.

I’ve got room for a few more lines — and I’m inviting you to provide them.

What do you think is vital for young human rights activists, aid workers, eco-warriors and other social entrepreneurs to know?

If you could grab them by the shoulders, stare into their blood-shot eyes and mess with their heads, what would you say? And can you say it in 25 words or less?

Here’s your chance to reveal that soaring (a.k.a cheesy) phrase you’ve always wanted to use, but could never insert into a conversation with your buddies because they’d mock you forever. Let me mock you.

To get your juices flowing, I’ll confess that I’ve always wanted to tell a throng of exuberant voters, “Tomorrow begins tonight.” Of course I tried that in the draft of my convocation speech.

Didn’t work. “Tomorrow begins this morning” just doesn’t have the same ring. “Tomorrow begins today” is limp. There’s no disco ball to it. The line lives and dies by “tonight.” And maybe it deserves to die, period.

So don’t take it personally when your best suggestions flop. As some grads have heard convocation speakers spout, “If you never give up, you can’t say you’ve failed.” Damn, that’s good.

But not for our speech. We can do better.

Make no mistake: I’m thrilled with what I’ve already written. Still, over the years of engaging with readers, I’ve learned to learn. Which means inviting you into the process at precisely the moment that I’m “thrilled” and thus feeling smug about my own wisdom.

Mess with my mind if not that of the next generation. Your deadline is Friday morning, New York time.