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Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

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Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#31

Post by dtgriscom »

cmsonger wrote: post #20

One of the smartest things I've done in recent years is to buy the complete Calvin and Hobbes and put it prominently on a table that I walk by daily. I turn a page a day... In the morning before I get coffee usually, though it's often too dark and I'll come back to read the two facing pages later. Depending on the day that means I'll read a Sunday strip and three daily strips or six daily strips. Once in a great whil…

I've had The Complete on a bookshelf, unread for a decade. And yesterday (!) I decided to start reading it, but man, is there a lot there. About 1500 pages, with each either a Sunday strip or three dailies.

I like your idea a lot, but I'm wondering if leaving such an enormous book open to a page would break the binding. Any trouble with that?

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#32

Post by stevendaniels »

cmsonger wrote: post #20

One of the smartest things I've done in recent years is to buy the complete Calvin and Hobbes and put it prominently on a table that I walk by daily. I turn a page a day... In the morning before I get coffee usually, though it's often too dark and I'll come back to read the two facing pages later. Depending on the day that means I'll read a Sunday strip and three daily strips or six daily strips. Once in a great whil…

It is also great for kids.

My oldest has read it multiple times, and my first grader has started reading it (struggling with all the big words). One of the longer lasting Christmas gifts I bought.

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#33

Post by jebarker »

ramraj07 wrote: post #18
cryingpotato wrote: post #2

A piece I read at least twice a year to understand how creative work is done - "Some thoughts on the real world by one who glimpsed it and fled"

I don’t know if I got anything very profound from it tbh - this sounds like just another commencement speech from someone who has very little in common with almost every person in their audience asking them to do something they would never do. Similar initially inspiring but later on making you question speeches include the ones from Neil Gaiman, Steve Jobs and Conan O’Brien. Honestly the most amazing speech is from…

I disagree about Watterson's speech. It seems very actionable to me for the common man: define meaning in life for yourself, don't get stuck on the hedonic treadmill, think about what your values are and shape your life around them, etc

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#34

Post by layer8 »

dtgriscom wrote: post #31
cmsonger wrote: post #20

One of the smartest things I've done in recent years is to buy the complete Calvin and Hobbes and put it prominently on a table that I walk by daily. I turn a page a day... In the morning before I get coffee usually, though it's often too dark and I'll come back to read the two facing pages later. Depending on the day that means I'll read a Sunday strip and three daily strips or six daily strips. Once in a great whil…

I've had The Complete on a bookshelf, unread for a decade. And yesterday (!) I decided to start reading it, but man, is there a lot there. About 1500 pages, with each either a Sunday strip or three dailies. I like your idea a lot, but I'm wondering if leaving such an enormous book open to a page would break the binding. Any trouble with that?

My personal opinion is that books are there to be used in the way one finds most convenient, not art sculptures to be kept pristine. If that breaks the binding, then so be it.

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#35

Post by zerbinxx »

ramraj07 wrote: post #18
cryingpotato wrote: post #2

A piece I read at least twice a year to understand how creative work is done - "Some thoughts on the real world by one who glimpsed it and fled"

I don’t know if I got anything very profound from it tbh - this sounds like just another commencement speech from someone who has very little in common with almost every person in their audience asking them to do something they would never do. Similar initially inspiring but later on making you question speeches include the ones from Neil Gaiman, Steve Jobs and Conan O’Brien. Honestly the most amazing speech is from…

I agree on the DFW point. It’s rare for a commencement speech to hit the nail on the head, it almost always lapses into this “do what you love” shtick that isn’t really relatable for kids who studied business to pay off their incredibly large student loans - at that point, you love not being in debt

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#36

Post by cryingpotato »

jebarker wrote: post #33
ramraj07 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t know if I got anything very profound from it tbh - this sounds like just another commencement speech from someone who has very little in common with almost every person in their audience asking them to do something they would never do. Similar initially inspiring but later on making you question speeches include the ones from Neil Gaiman, Steve Jobs and Conan O’Brien. Honestly the most amazing speech is from…

I disagree about Watterson's speech. It seems very actionable to me for the common man: define meaning in life for yourself, don't get stuck on the hedonic treadmill, think about what your values are and shape your life around them, etc

Yeah I totally agree with this! The crux of the speech for me is "To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble."

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#37

Post by cryingpotato »

zerbinxx wrote: post #35
ramraj07 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t know if I got anything very profound from it tbh - this sounds like just another commencement speech from someone who has very little in common with almost every person in their audience asking them to do something they would never do. Similar initially inspiring but later on making you question speeches include the ones from Neil Gaiman, Steve Jobs and Conan O’Brien. Honestly the most amazing speech is from…

I agree on the DFW point. It’s rare for a commencement speech to hit the nail on the head, it almost always lapses into this “do what you love” shtick that isn’t really relatable for kids who studied business to pay off their incredibly large student loans - at that point, you love not being in debt

I've always been conflicted about the DFW speech as a wonderful tool to think about how to live from a man who seemed to have led a pretty troubled life. I keep coming back to the speech for its content, but can't help but think of the man who gave it when I do.

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#38

Post by EternalUsenet »

throwawaaarrgh wrote: post #28

There's nothing wrong with leading a life of quiet desperation. What's wrong is cheating yourself out of happiness by not being grateful for what you have. So you're one of the unwashed masses in the garage waiting for the clock. Does that mean you have to be unhappy? Not if you can be grateful for what that affords you in the rest of your life, not to mention grateful the work isn't worse. You can always choose to c…

This is a very profound piece of wisdom. There are times where I dwell on how I should have invested my money a decade ago and wish I made different choices before hitting my mid 30s. Yet I have a lot to be thankful for now, despite my mistakes.

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#39

Post by cmsonger »

dtgriscom wrote: post #31
cmsonger wrote: post #20

One of the smartest things I've done in recent years is to buy the complete Calvin and Hobbes and put it prominently on a table that I walk by daily. I turn a page a day... In the morning before I get coffee usually, though it's often too dark and I'll come back to read the two facing pages later. Depending on the day that means I'll read a Sunday strip and three daily strips or six daily strips. Once in a great whil…

I've had The Complete on a bookshelf, unread for a decade. And yesterday (!) I decided to start reading it, but man, is there a lot there. About 1500 pages, with each either a Sunday strip or three dailies. I like your idea a lot, but I'm wondering if leaving such an enormous book open to a page would break the binding. Any trouble with that?

So far it has not broken the binding but then I didn't buy it as a collectors piece and if it does break the binding, that's OK with me.

Not deriding book collecting. :) I've been there. I've just decided on this one that I don't care about the book. I care about the experience. I bought it to do this exact thing with.

Re: Bill Watterson Commencement Speech (1990)

#40

Post by programmertote »

shagie wrote: post #25

An excerpt of that speech as a cartoon done by Gavin Aung Than of Zen Pencils - http://www.zenpencils.com/comic/128-bill-watterson-a-cartoon... (published 2013 along with commentary) New Yorker's "Life after Calvin and Hobbes" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/30/the-mysteries-... The Mysteries - by Bill Watterson, published October 10th, 2023 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Mysteries/Bill-Wa...

Thanks for sharing the cartoon author's name. I have seen that before and didn't realize that Gavin is most likely a descendant from Burmese parent(s) -- his last name 'Aung Than' is distinctly Burmese. I immigrated to the US from Burma and it always brings me joy/pride when I see my fellow country people (or descendants of them) are doing something that contributes to the humanity/society. :)
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