Steve Jobs' commencement address at Stanford University is, to use the parlance of my generation: like, whoa.

One my favorite parts is about "connecting the dots" (not to mention a cool bit of Mac triumphalism). Says Steve:

If I had never dropped in on that single 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. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

The whole thing is excellent--it's personal, insightful, funny, and inspiring. I wonder if Stephanie or Jenny A. were there to witness the address...if either of you were, let me know how it was!

Steve Jobs is one of my all-time favorite public figures, and quite an inspiration to me (I almost used the word "hero," and though I was even more impressed with the guy after reading his speech, I still don't think calling him a hero is quite appropriate); either way, he's invariably on my guest list when I play the theoretical "You're hosting a dinner party, and can invite any five people in the world...who are they?" game.

Stay hungry. Stay foolish. That's a graduation exhortation that I can live with.