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Actor, filmmaker, social activist, and Cambridge native Matt Damon — who shot to prominence with his portrayal of a mathematically gifted MIT janitor in the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting” — will “return” to the Institute to deliver the address at MIT’s 2016 Commencement exercises on Friday, June 3. Read more at MIT News.
A thought experiment
We've all gone through those instances where you think you made a fool of yourself trying to do something. You may feel the world crashing down on you in the heat of those moments, but soon realize how stupid you were to think you or anyone else would even remember that one silly thing you did once. Okay you probably will. But you'll recall it with a lighthearted smile.
One of my biggest fears is losing out on opportunities because of a lack of initiative from MY side. Wondering what could have been, once the moment is gone forever. That's what ultimately hurts in the long run. One day during the summer, I came across this MIT commencement speech by Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy. Here's an excerpt from it that really changed the way I see each new day as. And my life has taken a turn for the better since that day!
"Imagine yourself in 50 years. You’re in your early 70s, near the end of your career. You’re sitting on your couch, having just watched the State of the Union holographic address by President Kardashian.
You begin to ponder your life. The career successes, how you’ve been able to provide for your family. You’ll think of all the great moments with your family and friends. But then you start to think about all of the things you wished you had done just a little differently, your regrets. I can guess at what they might be. Sitting in 2062, you wish that you had spent more time with your children. That you had told your spouse how much you loved them more frequently. That you could have even one more chance to hug your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them before they passed. That you could have smiled more, laughed more, danced more and created more. That you better used the gifts you were given to empower others and make the world better. Just as you’re thinking this, a genie appears from nowhere and says, “I have been eavesdropping on your regrets. They are valid ones. I can tell you are a good person so I am willing to give you a second chance if you really want one.” You say “Sure” and the genie snaps his fingers. All of a sudden you find yourself right where you are sitting today. It is June 8, 2012, at Killian Court. You are in your shockingly fit and pain-free 20-something body and begin to realize that it has really happened. You really do have the chance to do it over again. To have the same career successes and deep relationships. But, now you can optimize. You can laugh more, dance more and love more. Your parents are here again so it is your chance to love them like you wished you had done the first time. You can be the source of positivity that you wished you had been the first time around."
If you ask me, this thought experiment seems quite plausible, what with theories like multiverses and alternate timelines getting mainstream attention these days!
P.S. - Here's the link to the whole speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn24jP0YbTI
