Steve Jobs' Iconic Speech at Stanford Now Available in Higher Quality

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Tim Cook has reminded us that today marks the 20th anniversary of Steve Jobs giving an iconic commencement address at Stanford University.

"It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Steve told Stanford graduates to stay hungry and stay foolish," said Cook, in a social media post reflecting on the impactful speech. "His powerful advice still rings true, and I hope it helps guide this year's new grads as they begin their journey to become tomorrow's leaders."

To honor the 20th anniversary of the speech, The Steve Jobs Archive has uploaded a higher-quality video of the speech on its website and YouTube.

The Steve Jobs Archive has also provided more backstory about Jobs' commencement address and how he prepared for it leading up to June 12, 2005. In the weeks leading up to the commencement, he emailed himself speech ideas.

Jobs' speech was full of iconic quotes and moments:

• "Stay hungry, stay foolish."
• "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."
• "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
• "For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."
• "If I had never dropped in on that single calligraphy course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them."

Hilariously, Jobs also told the crowd of graduates that dropping out of college was one of the best decisions that he ever made in his life.

Watch the full speech below, now in enhanced quality.

Article Link: Steve Jobs' Iconic Speech at Stanford Now Available in Higher Quality

 

[vertsix]

Probably the best speech ever made. I watch it every couple months to remind myself on what is important.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Best speech ever.

 

[blcamp]

Absolutely as timely today as it was 20 years ago, and probably will be for decades to come at the very least. As I look backwards on my own tech career which I'm now winding down, I'm glad to have followed much of Jobs' advice.

 

[TwoBytes]

A speech that should be delivered as education!

 

[MistaBungle]

**** you Tim. THIS is what you'll never be.

 

[Lioness~]

Great that Laurene keeps honouring Steve, and make things available.
While Apple turns into jokers!

Their keynotes are not a pleasureable experience today, it’s just painful to watch, so I don’t.
I usually keep it running I the backround without sound. Sometimes I catch something, most usually I don’t even care - unless I am really in need of a product.
Checking MacRumors afterwards is better, and totally painless.

Miss Jobs and Joni’s Apple 🍎 in many ways.
But sure I still need my Apple products, more than I love them today.
Keep reminding myself that’s it’s all thanks to Steve and Joni that Apple exists anyway.
I’m trying my best to not be negative about today’s Apple, by avoiding it as much as I can. 😬

 

[vertsix]

A speech that should be delivered as education!

It was at my middle school in my Communication class!

 

[vertsix]

**** you Tim. THIS is what you'll never be.

Well, yes, but why post this?

 

[swm]

I loved that speech. Connecting the dots the right way - it all makes sense.

 

[TigerNike23]

Well, yes, but why post this?

I agree. It’s wholly unnecessary. Let’s focus on Steve instead of comparing to current Apple leadership.

 

[jonnysods]

They don't make em like this anymore.

 

[t0rqx]

The current Apple is not following any of his speech notes. Maybe they need to rewatch and remind themselves.

 

[filmantopia]

**** you Tim. THIS is what you'll never be.

Nobody will ever be Steve Jobs.

 

[Vulkan]

I miss Steve.

 

[filmantopia]

Just a reminder that if Steve Jobs were alive today, people would still be saying he finally lost his touch, just as they used to when he was alive.

 

[Timpetus]

I agree. It’s wholly unnecessary. Let’s focus on Steve instead of comparing to current Apple leadership.

Yeah, until we can find another Steve (probably going to take a few centuries, at minimum) Apple's going to have to do what they can with the leaders available now.

 

[one more]

Just a reminder that if Steve Jobs were alive today, people would still be saying he finally lost his touch, just as they used to when he was alive.

This is a speculation, though.

 

[apple contributor]

Mic drop 🎤.

 

[Think|Different]

**** you Tim. THIS is what you'll never be.

Wow — you can pay for school but you can’t buy class.

 

[needsomecoffee]

"Stay hungry, stay foolish."

Now replaced by "Maximize near-term shareholder value" for Tim & Co.

While understandable re: fiduciary responsibility, I think the component that is missing is "long-term shareholder value".

That is the "...foolish" part WRT taking risks, and focusing like Steve did on consumer value.** (I am pretty sure Steve was "stock price agnostic" when it came to stuff like this.)

** I think Tim & Co. have taken risks, but they have not been very good at translating consumer needs into breakthru products. Not easy to do, and something Steve likely excelled at. Tim & Co. -- unfortunately -- have to make every decision WRT enabling things like App Store profits and Google payments to continue and grow. The amount of near-term SHV linked to these is dangerous imho.

HTH, NSC

 

[TechnoMonk]

I watch it often, it’s been an inspiration for me. Profoundly magical.

 

[daniesy]

All Apple employees should watch this video. Including the execs.

 

[DakotaGuy]

If Steve was alive today or at least had lived a few more years, Scott Forstall would be CEO of Apple.

 

[lkrupp]

I watch Steve Baller’s Monkey Boy Dance regularly to remind my self how good I have it being an Apple customer.