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Topic: Commencement Speeches

(<a href='http://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/CEFutcher#f9d1016'>Christopher Futcher</a> via <a href='http://www.istockphoto.com/'>iStock</a>)

"Just be yourself" is nonsense

Jesse Browner
(Wake Forest)

Colbert's commencement speech

Colin Gorenstein
President Barack Obama addresses the graduating class of the University of California, Irvine, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Lindsay Abrams
(Shutterstock)

Tom Engelhardt - TomDispatch.com
(<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CPnAnRsqia0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)

Prachi Gupta
(<a href='http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=2292377'>fotosipsak</a> via <a href='http://www.istockphoto.com/'>/<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-345760p1.html'>Krivosheev Vitaly</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>/Salon)

Dear grads: Forget your dreams

Tim Donovan

Prachi Gupta
George Saunders, David Foster Wallace (Basso Cannarsa/Hachette Book Group/Salon)

Foster Wallace vs. TED Talks!

Luke Epplin
Salon logo

Prachi Gupta
Barack Obama gives the commencement address at Morehouse College, May 19, 2013. (Reuters/Jason Reed)

"Nobody cares if you suffered"

Rich Benjamin
(<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-544783p1.html'>hxdbzxy</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>/Salon)

David Gushee - Religion Dispatches