Don’t Follow Your Passion | Ben Horowitz’s Advice for New Graduates
About this episode
Ben Horowitz challenges the common advice to 'follow your passion' in a commencement address, advocating for the development of strengths and meaningful contributions.
A16z Podcast: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org . Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- In this commencement address to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Class of 2015, Ben Horowitz challenges some of the most common advice given to graduates. Rather than urging students to “follow their passion,” Horowitz argues that people should focus on developing their strengths and making meaningful contributions to the world. Drawing on stories from his own time at Columbia, the founding of technology companies, and investments in startups like Airbnb, he explores the importance of independent thinking, conviction, and pursuing ideas that others may initially dismiss. Along the way, Horowitz discusses technological progress, entrepreneurship, opportunity, and why he believes today's graduates are entering a world defined less by unprecedented challenges than by unprecedented possibilities. ee Resources: Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: Find a16z on YouTube: YouTube Find a16z on X Find a16z on LinkedIn Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify Listen…
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