Steven Spielbergs 2016 Harvard Commencement Speech - The Muse

Steven Spielbergs 2016 Harvard Commencement Speech - The MuseSteven Spielbergs 2016 Harvard Commencement Speech Steven Spielberg has spent over four decades creating, producing, and directing a huge number of timeless motion pictures, from science fiction hits such as Jaws, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park, to heartwrenching films like Schindlers List and The Color Purple. But last week, he came out from behind the cameras to address Harvards class of 2016. The advice he provided applies to everyone, not just those who were decked out in a cap and gown- even if you took 37 years to graduate (like Spielberg did). First, he touches on character-defining moments. His first welches when he left college sophomore year for an amazing opportunity at Universal Studios. The most significant, though, was when he married his wife, Kate. Youre going to come across a lot of these moments over the years, Spielberg says. Because life is one strong, long string of them. And when you enc ounter them- when it comes time for you to define who you are- you need to listen to your internal voice. Its when Spielberg started to do this that certain projects began to pull me into them, and others, I turned away from. He started listening to his intuition, and his movies transitioned from the fantasy genre to being based on historical events. When it comes to figuring out who you are, he says, its so important not to allow your conscious to drown out your intuition, as it tends to do. While the former is telling you the things you should be doing, the latter is murmuring what you could be doing, instead- like pursuing what you truly enjoy, like following your dreams. Its imperative to listen to yourself instead of all the outside opinions (parents, teachers, bosses, etc.) that have occupied your mind for years. But Spielberg doesnt think you should ignore your conscious entirely. When it comes to how you treat other people, you should be all ears. Because, unfortunately, the re are still villains to vanquish in this world, and part of the future you create is not only about the career path you go down, but also about improving the world you live in. And to do that, we need to move away from the habit of creating sides, sectioning people off, isolating and persecuting individuals and entire populations for religious beliefs, sexual orientation, skin color- you anthroponym it. All hatred must be eliminated. We must band together- we must find the we, rather than the us and the them. You have the power to be a hero, even if you dont have a cape and a mask.In your defining moments, says Spielberg, do not let your morals be swayed by convenience or expediency. Sticking to your character requires a lot of courage. And to be courageous, youre going to need a lot of support. So, dont forget to phone home (no matter what home means to you).