Bitrabo Editorial
Graduation speeches are typically meant to inspire and uplift graduating students, offering them words of wisdom and encouragement for the future. However, at Ohio State University’s recent commencement ceremony, the chosen speaker, Chris Pan, delivered a speech that left many puzzled and some even booing.
Pan, an alumnus from the class of 1999 and an entrepreneur, stirred controversy when he revealed on LinkedIn that he had written the initial draft of his speech under the influence of ayahuasca, a potent psychedelic substance. This revelation was just the beginning of the unexpected turn of events.
Bitcoin Takes the Spotlight
While the audience anticipated Pan to share conventional advice on navigating post-graduation life, his speech veered sharply into the realm of cryptocurrency. A vocal advocate for Bitcoin, Pan fervently promoted the digital currency as a safeguard against inflation, urging the graduates to consider investing in it.
His endorsement of Bitcoin was met with audible disapproval from the attendees, which was captured live on the university’s livestream.
“Simply saving isn’t sufficient anymore,” Pan declared. “The escalating inflation rates are pushing up costs! Bitcoin represents an often misunderstood asset class. It’s decentralized and limited in supply, meaning governments cannot arbitrarily increase its quantity.”
University’s Stance on Bitcoin Clarified
Ohio State University promptly distanced itself from Pan’s advocacy for Bitcoin. A university representative declined to comment on the specifics of the content but emphasized that they do not review commencement speeches in advance.
The official university account of the ceremony conspicuously omitted any reference to cryptocurrency, focusing instead on Pan’s message about civility and social accountability.
Inspiration or Gimmick?
The use of ayahuasca in crafting the speech by Pan added another layer of peculiarity to the situation. While some may view it as a publicity stunt, others are intrigued by the potential influence of such consciousness-altering substances on the speech’s content.
Unconventional Methods, Unique Message
Irrespective of the source of inspiration, Pan’s central message about conquering fears and embracing fresh perspectives struck a chord with some listeners. He highlighted common barriers to investment – fear, inertia, and closed-mindedness – urging the graduates to liberate themselves from these constraints.
Pan’s Diverse Background
Pan’s diverse biography sheds light on his non-traditional approach. Describing himself as a “social entrepreneur, musician, and inspirational speaker,” his professional journey has traversed prestigious organizations like McKinsey & Company and PepsiCo, in addition to roles at Facebook and his current enterprise, MyIntent, a company specializing in custom-message bracelets. This eclectic background likely explains his inclination to depart from the norm with his commencement address.
Unanswered Questions
The aftermath of Pan’s speech lingers on. Whether his use of ayahuasca was a genuine creative expression or a publicity ploy remains unclear. The university’s efforts to disassociate from the Bitcoin endorsement raise doubts about their oversight of commencement speeches.
In the end, Chris Pan’s unconventional commencement speech is anticipated to be remembered more for the discord it stirred than for any profound insights it may have offered.
Featured image from Shoshana Gordon/Axios, chart from TradingView