NYU's 2022 Commencement Speaker Taylor Swift

New York University2 minutes read

Taylor Swift receives an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from NYU for her significant contributions as a singer, songwriter, advocate, and philanthropist, expressing gratitude and offering life advice to the Class of 2022, highlighting the importance of authenticity and embracing mistakes for personal growth and resilience. Despite facing criticism and rejection, Taylor Swift emphasizes the importance of privacy, self-reflection, and trusting one's instincts in navigating life's uncertainties, showcasing how setbacks can lead to valuable gains and positive outcomes.

Insights

  • Taylor Swift is a multifaceted artist and advocate known for her global impact, philanthropy, and support for causes like the Equality Act, emphasizing the importance of using one's platform for positive change.
  • Mistakes and rejections, once feared as catastrophic, are now viewed as opportunities for growth and connection, shaping the speaker's journey and highlighting the transformative power of setbacks and challenges in fostering resilience and personal development.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Taylor Swift?

    A singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and philanthropist.

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Summary

00:00

Taylor Swift Honored with NYU Degree

  • Jason King, Chair and Associate Professor of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Tisch School of the Arts, introduces Taylor Swift for the Doctor of Fine Arts degree.
  • Taylor Swift is recognized as a singer, songwriter, producer, director, actress, advocate for artists' rights, and philanthropist.
  • She is celebrated for her global impact, having sold over 100 million album units and earned numerous awards.
  • Taylor Swift has used her platform to support causes like the Equality Act, women's rights, and disaster relief efforts.
  • NYU confers upon Taylor Swift the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa.
  • Taylor Swift expresses gratitude to NYU and fellow honorees, highlighting the support she received from her family.
  • She shares her unconventional education journey and praises the Class of 2022 for their resilience during a global pandemic.
  • Taylor Swift offers life advice, emphasizing the importance of discernment in choosing what to hold onto in life.
  • She encourages embracing moments of cringe and not hiding enthusiasm for things, advocating for effort and authenticity.
  • Taylor Swift reflects on her songwriting process, highlighting the interconnectedness of her creative endeavors and the importance of individual agency in shaping one's path.

19:50

Embracing Mistakes and Growth Through Challenges

  • Mistakes were portrayed as catastrophic in the speaker's youth, with the belief that any error would lead to disastrous consequences, but the speaker's personal experience contradicts this notion, highlighting that mistakes have actually led to positive outcomes and growth.
  • Rejection and exclusion in various aspects of life, such as not being invited to events or being told no, were pivotal moments that ultimately shaped the speaker's journey, pushing them to pursue their passions and connect with like-minded individuals.
  • Despite facing criticism and public scrutiny, the speaker learned valuable lessons about privacy, self-reflection, and the transient nature of social approval, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's personal life and values.
  • The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of making mistakes and experiencing loss, but emphasizes that these setbacks can also lead to valuable gains and growth, encouraging the audience to embrace the uncertainties of life and trust their instincts in navigating challenges and choices.
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