Maria Ressa delivers the Commencement Address | Harvard Commencement 2024

Harvard University12 minutes read

The speaker addressed President Garber and former President Gay at Harvard, discussing the impact of online violence, disinformation, and technology on society and democracy, highlighting the importance of facts and trust. Criticizing tech companies like Facebook, the speaker urged the audience to embrace vulnerability, choose their best selves, and restore faith in humanity through compassion and unity to address complex global challenges.

Insights

  • Technology plays a significant role in spreading disinformation and inciting violence, as seen in incidents like the Capitol Hill violence, highlighting the global impact of online violence on real-world events.
  • Emphasizes the critical need for facts, truth, and trust in upholding democracy and addressing pressing issues like climate change, while calling for reform in the tech industry to combat the negative influence of companies like Facebook.

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Recent questions

  • How did the speaker address the challenges faced by the class of 2024?

    By acknowledging the impact of the pandemic and technology on society.

  • What specific incidents did the speaker reference regarding the role of technology in spreading disinformation?

    Capitol Hill violence and global real-world violence examples.

  • What did the speaker emphasize as crucial for maintaining democracy and addressing existential problems?

    Facts, truth, and trust.

  • What did the speaker criticize tech companies like Facebook for?

    Undermining democracy and called for reform in the tech industry.

  • How did the speaker encourage the audience to approach challenges and crises?

    By choosing their best selves, turning crises into opportunities, and embracing vulnerability.

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Summary

00:00

Challenges and Solutions in Tech Era

  • Addressed President Garber and former President Gay, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak at Harvard.
  • Acknowledged the challenges faced by the class of 2024 due to the pandemic and the impact of technology on society.
  • Shared personal experiences of being targeted online and facing attacks due to reporting facts and holding power accountable.
  • Highlighted the role of technology in spreading disinformation and inciting violence, referencing specific incidents like the Capitol Hill violence.
  • Discussed the impact of online violence on real-world violence globally, citing examples from different countries.
  • Emphasized the importance of facts, truth, and trust in maintaining democracy and addressing existential problems like climate change.
  • Criticized the role of tech companies like Facebook in undermining democracy and called for reform in the tech industry.
  • Urged the audience to choose their best selves, turn crises into opportunities, and embrace vulnerability to build trust and resilience.
  • Warned about the challenges posed by deep fakes, chat bots, and the manipulation of emotions through technology.
  • Encouraged restoring faith in humanity through compassion and the concept of ubuntu, while stressing the significance of vulnerability in building strong relationships and finding solutions to complex problems.

21:45

Harvard education fosters compassionate, equal world.

  • Harvard education provides tools to create a more compassionate, equal, and sustainable world, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving significant change.
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