寻找你不愿变卖的事业

Dean Ellis， honored guests， faculty， family， friends， and the Class of 2015： I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your generosity today. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you in celebrating your graduation！ Three years ago I could never have comprehended such an opportunity. Thank you， thank you， thank you.

About three years ago today I was right where you are. I was sitting in a folding chair， just like that one， and I was wearing my cap and gown， waiting to walk on stage. But I wasn’t graduating. When they shook my hand and took my picture， they handed me an empty folder. You see at Stanford they let you “walk” through graduation even if you haven’t actually finished the requirements necessary to get your diploma. You get to pretend you are graduating just like everybody else， even though you aren’t. The University had created this program for students who were using the summer term to finish up their degrees. But I was using it because I was embarrassed， and I didn’t want to be left out of the celebrations. What was I going to do？ Stay in my dorm room while all of my friends processed into the stadium and tossed their caps into the air without me？ So I sat in the hot sun and I listened to Cory Booker1） talk for what felt like a very long time， and I waved to my family who had traveled all the way to Stanford to watch me not graduate. By the way， hi Mom！

It only recently occurred to me， while preparing this address， how totally absurd this whole charade2） was. It reminded me that oftentimes we do all sorts of silly things to avoid appearing different. Conforming happens so naturally that we can forget how powerful it is―we want to be accepted by our peers―we want to be a part of the group. It’s in our biology. But the things that make us human are those times we listen to the whispers of our soul and allow ourselves to be pulled in another direction. Conformity is so fascinating and so pervasive that it has been studied for a very long time. It turns out there are two things that can dramatically reduce conformity in a group setting. The first is a single dissenting3） voice. And the second is the ability to communicate privately with other members of the group. Our government gives us the right to privacy and the right to express ourselves freely in the hope that we might mitigate4） conformity. Democracy wasn’t designed to promote popular thought. It was architected to protect dissent. For， as President Kennedy said， “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.”

I recently fell in love with a story about a great piece of American art. And it’s about a guy named Bob Rauschenberg5）. He was a young artist， and he went to go visit his idol， his， er， you know. He really loved this guy， and he was totally terrified. He was so nervous that he was clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels6）， for liquid courage. And the truth is he actually wasn’t just visiting. He was visiting Bill de Kooning7） to ask for something. He wanted one of Bill de Kooning’s drawings. You see， Bill de Kooning， he wasn’t a dumb guy， he knew exactly what Rauschenberg was up to―because Rauschenberg had recently been experimenting with his own art. He had been creating his drawings and then erasing them. But that wasn’t enough for Bob Rauschenberg， because Bob Rauschenberg didn’t want to just erase his own art， he wanted to erase the art of his hero. So de Kooning obliged8） but he took his time， and he tortured the young artist as he wandered around the studio in search of the perfect drawing. He didn’t want to give him just a random drawing; he wanted it to be something really great， something that he actually loved. And he finally settled on a drawing that was very very hard to erase. It was comprised of layers of lead and charcoal. And he generously gave it to Bob Rauschenberg. According to Bob， it took nearly two months to erase the work. But it was Jasper Johns9） who came along and framed it. And he gave that drawing a title， called “Erased de Kooning by Bob Rauschenberg.” （编注：该画实际名为Erased de Kooning Drawing，此处为演讲者口误） It was Jasper Johns who recognized that in the process of erasing de Kooning’s drawing， Bob Rauschenberg actually created something new， his own new work of art.

I love this story because Bill de Kooning had the humility to recognize that the greatest thing we can do is provide the best possible foundation for those who come after us. We must welcome our own erasure.

So I’m asked one question most often： “Why didn’t you sell your business？ It doesn’t even make money. It’s a fad10）. You could be on a boat right now. Everybody loves boats. What is wrong with you？” And I’m now convinced that the fastest way to figure out if you are doing something that is truly important to you is to find someone who offers you a bunch of money to part with it. So the best thing is that no matter whether or not you sell， you will learn something very valuable about yourself. If you sell， you will know immediately that it wasn’t the right dream anyways. And if you don’t sell， you’re probably onto something. Maybe you have the beginning of something meaningful. But don’t feel bad if you sell out. Just don’t stop there. I mean gosh， we would have sold our first company， for sure. But no one wanted to buy it. When we decided not to sell our business people called us a lot of things besides crazy―things like arrogant and entitled11）. The same words that I’ve heard used to describe our generation time and time again. The Millennial Generation. The “Me” Generation. Well， it’s true. We do have a sense of entitlement， a sense of ownership， because， after all， this is the world we were born into， and we are responsible for it.

The funny thing about “Erased De Kooning” is that it isn’t for sale. It’s safe and sound in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It’s tremendously valuable， but it bears no price. You already have inside of you all of the amazing things you need to follow the dreams that you have. And if you get stuck along the way there’s a ton of free information available on the Internet. Have faith in yourself and the person you are going to become. Know that you are capable of all of the growth that will be expected of you and that you expect for yourself. You will tackle every challenge headed your way―and if you don’t， it won’t be for lack of trying. Someone will always have an opinion about you. Whatever you do won’t ever be enough. So find something important to you. Find something that you love. You are going to make a lot of mistakes. I’ve already made a ton of them―some of them very publicly―and it will feel terrible， but it will be okay. Just apologize as quickly as you can and pray for forgiveness.

When you leave here， you’re going to face a great challenge： a full-time job. And the hardest part is going to be getting used to solving problems that don’t yet have answers. In times of despair， you may believe the cynic who tells you that one person cannot make a difference―and there are times it may be hard to see your own impact. I beg you to remember that it is not possible at this time or at any time to know the end results of our efforts. That is for our God alone. Please voice your dissent， anticipate your erasure， and find something you aren’t willing to sell. Congratulations to the class of 2015！ Fight on！

埃利斯院长、尊敬的来宾、各位老师、家人、好友以及2015届的毕业生们：今天，对于你们的慷慨宽容，我的感激之情无以言表。非常感谢你们邀请我参加你们的毕业典礼！三年前我决不敢想象有这样的机会。谢谢，谢谢，谢谢。

约三年前的今天，我就待在现在你们待的地方。我坐在一把折叠椅上，就像那样的椅子，戴着学士帽，穿着长袍，等待上台。但我没有毕业。他们与我握手，给我拍照，递给我一个空的文件夹。要知道，在斯坦福大学，即使你实际上没有完成获得毕业证书需达到的要求，你也可以“上台”毕业。你可以假装和其他人一样毕业了，即便你没有。斯坦福大学制定这个方案，是为了那些利用夏季学期完成学业的学生。但我利用这个方案是因为我觉得很尴尬，我不想被排除在毕业典礼之外。我要怎么做呢？难道我要待在寝室里，而我所有的朋友都排队进入体育场，把帽子抛向空中，唯独没有我？所以，我坐在烈日下，听着科里・布克的演讲，感觉时间过得非常缓慢。我向家人挥手，他们不远千里到斯坦福参加典礼，看到的是我并未毕业。顺便说一声：妈，您好！

直到最近，在准备这次演讲稿时，我才意识到，自己在毕业典礼上的装模作样简直荒谬至极。这件事提醒我：我们经常做各种傻事，以避免自己与众不同。从众是很自然的事情，以至于我们会忘了它的力量有多么强大。我们希望为同龄人所接受，我们希望自己是这个群体的一分子。我们生来如此。但人之所以为人，是因为很多时候，我们听从内心的声音，并允许自己被指引着朝另一个方向前进。从众令人无法抗拒且普遍存在，人们对其已经研究了很长时间。结果发现，有两点可以极大地减少一个群体里的从众行为：第一是发出一个表示不同意见的声音，第二是具有与群体中的其他成员私下沟通的能力。政府赋予我们隐私权和自由表达权，就是希望我们可以减少随大流的行为。实行民主的目的不是为了促使思想大众化，而是为了保护不同的声音。因为，正如肯尼迪总统所说的那样：“从众是羁押自由的狱卒，是阻碍进步的敌人。”

我最近喜欢上了一个故事。这个故事与一件伟大的美国艺术作品有关。故事的主人公叫鲍勃・劳申贝格。此人当时是一位年轻的艺术家，他要去拜访他的偶像。他真的非常崇拜他的偶像，因而内心极为恐慌。他太紧张了，最后握着一瓶杰克・丹尼去了，打算以酒壮胆。实际上，鲍勃并不只是单纯地拜访。他拜访比尔・德库宁是为了索要某些东西。他想要比尔・德库宁的一幅画。要知道，比尔・德库宁也不是傻子，他很清楚劳申贝格正忙于做什么―因为劳申贝格最近一直在拿他自己的作品做试验。他近来一直在创作画作，然后又将其擦掉。但对鲍勃・劳申贝格来说，这还不够，他不仅想擦掉自己的艺术作品，还想把自己偶像的艺术作品也擦掉。德库宁答应了劳申贝格的要求，但他不慌不忙，在工作室里转来转去，想找出一幅完美的画作，这可把年轻的艺术家折磨坏了。德库宁不想随意送给劳申贝格一幅画，他想把真正好的、自己也真正喜爱的画作送给劳申贝格。最后，他选定了一幅画，一幅很难擦掉的画。这幅画有很多涂层，是用铅和木炭画的。他很大方地把画给了鲍勃・劳申贝格。据鲍勃说，他花了近两个月时间才把这幅画擦掉。但后来是贾斯珀・约翰斯来了把画裱了起来。他给这幅画取名叫《被鲍勃・劳申贝格擦掉的德库宁》。贾斯珀・约翰斯意识到，在擦掉德库宁画的过程中，鲍勃・劳申贝格实际上创造了一种新的东西，创作了属于他自己的新的艺术作品。

我非常喜欢这个故事，因为比尔・德库宁很谦逊，他认识到我们能做的最了不起的事情就是为后来者提供尽可能好的基础。我们必须欢迎自己被赶超。

别人最常问我的一个问题是：“你为什么不把你的公司卖掉？它都不赚钱，只是流行一时的东西。卖掉它你现在就安稳了，谁都喜欢安稳。你是怎么想的呢？” 现在我确信，要想弄清楚你正做的事情对自己是否真的重要，最快的方法就是找到一个人，此人愿意出大价钱让你卖掉它。不管你卖不卖，你都会了解到有关你自身的非常重要的事，这才是最棒的事情。如果你卖了，你马上就会知道这无论如何也不是你真正的梦想;如果你不卖，你可能会有重大发现。或许，你开创了某种有意义的事情。不过，如果你把它卖了，也不要难过。一定不要止步不前。我的意思是，老天，我们本该卖掉我们的第一个公司。这一点确定无疑。但没有人想买它。当我们决定不卖掉我们的公司时，人们就会有各种说法―除了疯狂之外，还会说我们傲慢、权利意识太强。同样的词我以前也听过，一遍又一遍用来描述我们这代人。千禧一代。“自我”的一代。嗯，确实如此。我们的确有权利意识、所有权意识，因为这毕竟是我们出生的世界，我们须对它负责。

有趣的是，《擦掉的德库宁》这幅画并不出售。这幅画完好无损地收藏在旧金山现代艺术博物馆里。此画极其珍贵，但无价。你们自身已经有追寻自己梦想所需的所有令人惊叹的特质。如果在寻梦的路上受挫，你们可以在互联网上找到海量的免费信息。相信自己，相信你要成为的那个人。要知道自己有能力进步，这进步是别人对你的期望，也是你对自己的期望。你会解决冲你而来的各种挑战―如果你没解决，这不会是因为你努力不够。总有人会对你有意见。无论你做什么，总有人认为做得不够。所以，找到对你来说重要的东西，找到你热爱的东西。你会犯很多错误。我犯过许多错误―其中一些大家都知道―这感觉很不好，但终究会过去。你只需尽快道歉，祈求原谅。

你们从这儿毕业后，将会面临巨大的挑战：一份全职工作。其中最难的部分是，你们要习惯于解决一些尚且没有答案的问题。绝望之时，你们可能会听信那些愤世嫉俗的人，他们告诉你，一个人的力量改变不了什么―有些时候，你可能很难看到自己的影响力。我恳请你们记住，在这个时刻或任何时刻，我们都不可能知道自己努力的最终结果是什么。这个只有上帝才知道。请说出你的不同看法，期待着被别人赶超，寻找你不愿意变卖的事业。2015年的毕业生，祝贺你们！继续加油！

2015年5月15日，斯皮格尔受邀在南加州大学马歇尔商学院本科生的毕业典礼上发表了演讲。在这次演讲中，斯皮格尔根据自身的经历为毕业生提出了三点人生建议：请说出你的不同看法;期待着被别人赶超;寻找你不愿意变卖的事业。此次演讲让人们重新认识了这位曾被认为傲慢自大的年轻人，让人们看到了他成熟、稳重的一面。

1. Cory Booker：科里・布克（1969～），美国政治家，出生于华盛顿特区，先后就读于斯坦福大学、牛津大学和耶鲁大学，获得法学博士学位。他曾于2006年5月首次当选新泽西州纽瓦克市市长，2010年5月赢得连任。

2. charade [???r?d] n. 显而易见的作假;明显的伪装

3. dissenting [d??sent??] adj. 不同意的

4. mitigate [?m?t?e?t] vt. 使缓和;减轻（危害等）

5. Bob Rauschenberg：即罗伯特・劳申贝格（Robert Rauschenberg， 1925～2008），美国著名艺术家，是战后美国波普艺术的代表人物。

6. Jack Daniels：杰克・丹尼，世界十大名酒之一。1866年，杰克・丹尼酒厂诞生于美国田纳西州林芝堡，是美国第一家注册的蒸馏酒厂。

7. Bill de Kooning：即威廉・德库宁（Willem de Kooning， 1904～1997），荷兰籍美国画家，抽象表现主义的灵魂人物之一，新行动画派的大师之一

8. oblige [??bla?d?] vi. （通过满足要求而）帮助

9. Jasper Johns：贾斯珀・约翰斯（1930～），美国当代画家，1958年在纽约举办个人画展后成名。其画风对20世纪50年代末到70年代中叶英美国家所出现的波普艺术有很大影响。

10. fad [f?d] n. 一时的风尚;短暂的狂热

11. entitled [?n?ta?tld] adj. 有资格的，有权利的