Monday, May 27, 2013

Class of 2013: Here's What I'd Give Up to be You | LinkedIn

For the next week, we will be reading college prep tips, culminating in the writing of a college application essay as your final exam. I thought you might enjoy this commencement speech from T. Boone Pickens, founder, chairman and CEO at BP Capital and one of the richest men in the country.
Class of 2013: Here's What I'd Give Up to be You | LinkedIn
After you have read it, post a comment in response by Friday, May 31.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

In his commencement speech, Pickens elicit that he will give away all his wealth and property to experience youth once again, but as his fellow graduate ponder on the offer. He informs that his offer will make you an old man while he becomes a youth. Pickens makes these graduates observe that the sky is limitless that they can achieved more nowadays.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing more important in the world than living one's life at the fullest. Each individual can live their life however they wish and shouldn't worry about the wealth that Mr. Pickens has to offer because not even money can buy the beauty of experiencing an amazing gift called life.
I would too not even think of trading my youth for wealth if by the end of the day I would have lost all the great experiences I could have done before the age of 80 so it does not seem worth it.

Unknown said...

In Picken's commencement speech, he gives an offer towards the graduating class to ponder over. To trade away their youth, for all wealth, riches, everything, in regard for Pickens to be young again. He makes them rethink their decisions, he makes them realize that much can be achieved, if they constantly try. With living one's life to the fullest, it will seem worth it , at the end.

Unknown said...

It makes me wonder if he would go back to 18 years old, and do the same thing over agian, or do something different. Maybe he spent his younger years building his future and did not take advantage of his youth. Is it better to live a luxurious future limited to your age and health, or enjoy your younger years?

Unknown said...

Honestly, I'm debating if I would give up my youth and the rest of my years for all of Mr. Pickens wealth. You have a choice of a sure thing; Money, pride and respect. But then do you want to take a chance and not succeed in what you dream. I'm not much of a risk taker, getting everything handed to me, just to die in 20 years or so sounds reasonable to me, living my life in a ranch, old, maybe alone sounds like a perfect way to end my days. As well, I could always have something better if I keep the life I have now. To me it's difficult to answer what life I would take. It all depends on how I feel my life will take off, successful or a failure.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

T. Boone Pickens offers a graduating class his 79 year old luxurious life for their youth and diploma. Would you ever want to trade your youth for a sure wealthy and successful life? Well let's be realistic, of course you'll wanna think about it and there's a part of you that will gladly take it. I surely wouldn't even think of taking the offer though. Even if from the start, all i wanted is to grow up, life is about living it. Success is greater when you work hard for it, it's the journey that counts more than the destination. Each step you take to arrive to your destination is what shapes you as a person.

Unknown said...

People should live their lives to the fullest ability that they can. The 79 year old, T. Boone Pickens, was willing to give up all his luxuries and wealth in exchange for the students 18 year old life. However no one took his offer. They came to realize that if the were to do that, they would not be able to live their life and that no amount of money or luxuries is worth it. He makes them realize that they can achieve many things in time if they constantly continue trying and working hard. Just like the students, I would have too, not taken Pickens offer. I would simply continue with my life walking on my path to success.

Selene.usher said...

Pickens uses a very different approach to convince students to live their live to the fullest. He has already lived and succeeded, he is old and wealthy now. But is he happy ? These students fresh out of college and barely graduating, are young and lost in the world. He's saying would you skip the part of working for your success at the cost of your youth? Would you want to have anything money can buy, but you can't enjoy your youth? His argument is very persuasive because it makes you value your live so you can live it your way, and have your own experiences. My youth is priceless and I wouldn't give it up, ill climb the ladder to succes myself!

Joselin Magallon said...

Picken's speech made all the students think about how lucky they are to be the age they are because they have a life full of opportunities ahead of them and they should take advantage and cherish every moment of success while they can.

Karen Cusolito said...

Good question, Gerardo.
Honest answer, Jonathan.
Good insight, Krzel and Selene.

Stuber Philippe said...
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Stuber Philippe said...

He really wants the graduating class to understand that, like in Anna Quindlen's commencement speech their future endeavors must be built of their interests or personality, not for profit. Pickens reminds us not to take our youth for granted. I hope in his age I would not regret my career choices.

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." - Buddha

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Mr. Pickens offers to trade his wealth and success for youth but money can not buy the unique experiences that any person may face in their lifetime. He makes them rethink their decisions, to make them realize that they can achieve a lot from 18 years old to 79. This is a difficult question to answer because in one hand, money DOES buy happiness but in the other hand you might miss out in the great adventures that come your way

aquino.harold said...

This article also made me think about my future. As a junior I am a year away from graduating and a year away from the real world. I will have different responsibilities and managements. I will have to take control of my own life. But what Mr. Pickens is saying to live your life at fullest. The decisions you make now will shape your future. He is saying that you should do want you want to do and live a happy life instead of making decisions that you would regret later on.

Alan Gaylis said...

I would not trade my youth for wealth any day of the week. Life is not about material possessions but rather a journey and experience that can bring you wealth beyond your wildest dreams. I use wealth not in the sense of money but in the sense of accomplishment and self fulfillment. A poor man who is filled with profound realizations and emotions is wealthier than the richest shell of a man.

jeffrey puebla said...

This article is really interesting because it makes you think what would happen if you had a lot of money... the real question is would you give up a life you can make adventures on or a life thats been lived and has made money.. I would keep my life because i can live and make my own money and hopefully ill end up making way more than this man. Plus what would i do with all that money? Theres nothing i can do when im really old.. id probably buy more stocks get richer and leave all my money to my offsprings and they're lives and their children's lives would be set for life.

Alberto Alvarado said...

Mr .Pickens offers the graduating class all of his luxurious and wealth in exchange of their youth. It got the graduating class into thinking if their youth is really worth it.i think they realize that being young has no price and they need to live their lives to the fullest. I wouldn't take Mr . Pickens offer.

Karen Cusolito said...
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Karen Cusolito said...

Remember to use academic English (including capitalization)when commenting on the class blog.

Deziree Gutierrez said...

Picken's commencement speech really made everyone contemplate. He asked student's that are 18 year old for their youth days in exchange for his wealth and luxuries. Many students denied but mostly thought about it. In my view, I think it would be very selfish of person to trade their 18 year old life in exhange for wealth and luxuries. It's plain selfishness to yourself. Some people may disagree with me but I believe its selfish. Why? Because we're all human beings of course. We were made to go through life ourselves. We were made to face complications. We were also made to succeed in our own way by ourselves. Were here to live life to the fullest while we still have the oppotunity. Were here to not be lazy people and let others do the work for us. Were suppose to be enjoying what we have right now as a youth. Giving up your youth life for wealth and luxuries, that's just plain selfish. Its just showing that your not willing to go through complications and succeed in your own way. It also shows laziness.