第一篇:在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上感悟人生
在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上感悟人生
每年五月六月間,美國各地2500多所大學(xué)的應(yīng)屆生紛紛畢業(yè),畢業(yè)典禮此起彼伏,最是熱鬧。美國各大學(xué)的畢業(yè)典禮大都辦得十分隆重,社會也相當(dāng)重視。畢業(yè)生的家長和親友參加畢業(yè)典禮,似乎已成常規(guī),許多外國留學(xué)生的家長也會遠(yuǎn)渡重洋趕來慶賀;各種媒體更是趁時出動,專門安排人力進(jìn)行采訪報道。這也可以算是美國社會的一種文化現(xiàn)象吧。
哈佛大學(xué)是全美乃至世界的大學(xué)中的翹楚,它的畢業(yè)典禮自然格外被人看重。我讀過李歐梵教授寫的一本書,叫作『我的哈佛歲月』,書中對哈佛的畢業(yè)典禮有專門的介紹,特別的有意思,大有孔夫子說周禮的味道,郁郁乎文哉,實(shí)在是令人響往。
今年的哈佛畢業(yè)典禮尤其特殊,老早就被各路媒體炒得火熱。在三、四月間,媒體就開始醞釀。今年是哈佛大學(xué)第356屆畢業(yè)典禮,網(wǎng)路炒作的一個戲劇性的標(biāo)題是:兩個比爾將同時蒞臨哈佛畢業(yè)典禮,并發(fā)表演說。所謂“兩個比爾”,指的是比爾.克林頓和比爾.蓋茨。前總統(tǒng)比爾.克林頓是政治明星,微軟公司總裁比爾.蓋茨則是商界奇才。一個比爾代表權(quán)力,一個比爾代表財富,兩個比爾都是聰明絕頂,達(dá)到了當(dāng)今世界的極致。能夠親聆他們兩人的講話,當(dāng)然成了“擋不住的誘惑”。
凡事都有行情,互聯(lián)網(wǎng)上有專門的網(wǎng)站,炒賣哈佛畢業(yè)典禮的“黃牛票”。本來,每個哈佛畢業(yè)生都有兩張免費(fèi)的入埸券,供其家長參加典禮。有些學(xué)生以此生財,把入埸券拿到網(wǎng)上倒賣。開始每張幾十美元,后來100,125,150,最后據(jù)說有200多美元成交的。
雖然我對哈佛大學(xué)的畢業(yè)典禮很是神往,但如果要我拿出200美元買張黃牛票,花二三天功夫?qū)3膛艿讲ㄊ款D去,那是絕對無此可能,因?yàn)槲易孕胚€達(dá)不到那么癡迷的程度。所幸的是,我的女兒在哈佛法學(xué)院讀書,正好今年畢業(yè),使我得到一個正當(dāng)?shù)睦碛珊蜋C(jī)會,能夠恭逄盛會,親身見證了今年哈佛大學(xué)這個既是十分傳統(tǒng),又是建校以來最不同凡響的畢業(yè)典禮。
親歷了哈佛大學(xué)的畢業(yè)典禮后,我印象深深,感受良多。但是,最觸動我的,既不是哈佛的顯赫地位,也不是比爾.克林頓和比爾.蓋茨的名人光環(huán),而是哈佛大學(xué)獨(dú)特的人文教育的風(fēng)采。而且,在這次畢業(yè)典禮上,我看到聽到一些事先完全意想不到的人和事,使我對人生命運(yùn)和人生態(tài)度有了一種新的感悟。
一篇誰也聽不懂的哈佛畢業(yè)生講話: 人文修養(yǎng)學(xué)之本
上面我說,今年哈佛畢業(yè)典禮十分傳統(tǒng),有兩層意思:一層是說哈佛本身的傳統(tǒng),今年哈佛畢業(yè)典禮的儀式規(guī)程同以前歷年完全一樣;另一層是說哈佛的人文教育傳統(tǒng),它的典禮儀式體現(xiàn)了西方文化的傳承脈絡(luò)。
哈佛的畢業(yè)典禮,每年都在6月初舉行,今年是6月7日,星期四。其實(shí),整個哈佛畢業(yè)典禮有三項(xiàng)主要活動。除了6月7日全校集中在哈佛園的畢業(yè)典禮以外,還有6月5日的本科生畢業(yè)儀式和6月6日的畢業(yè)生日。另外,網(wǎng)上炒作的“兩個比爾同時蒞臨畢業(yè)典禮,發(fā)表演說”之說,也不確切??肆诸D“蒞臨”的只是6日的畢業(yè)生話動,而比爾.蓋茨出席的才是7日的全校畢業(yè)典禮。
哈佛的本科畢業(yè)生人數(shù)大概是1600人,而各個研究生院畢業(yè)的碩土和博士生加起來有5000人左右。但是,只有本科生才是大學(xué)里的驕子,克林頓的演說也只為他們而做。我的女兒所讀的法學(xué)院,雖然每年畢業(yè)的博士最多,我們的入埸券還是”不夠資格”去贍仰克林頓的豐彩。所以,我下面所述的也只能囿于法學(xué)院和全校性的畢業(yè)慶典。就法學(xué)院來說,整個活動只有兩天。6日安排很松,下午兩點(diǎn)鐘集合,學(xué)院給優(yōu)秀教授和學(xué)生頒獎,請了全美上訴法庭法官來講話。四點(diǎn)鐘開始,有一個雞尾酒會式的聚餐會。在法學(xué)院院區(qū)的花園里,搭起一個巨形帳蓬大廳,大廳內(nèi)外設(shè)有多處餐臺,放著各式點(diǎn)心和飲料,供大家自由選取飲用。食品和餐具都很精美,看來是專門為畢業(yè)典禮定做的。杯子和餐巾紙上印有哈佛圖案,更有趣的是兩款甜餅,特地做成大寫“H”和博士帽的形狀,真?zhèn)€是叫人愛不忍吃。畢業(yè)生和家長親友總共數(shù)千人,有的人找個桌子坐下來;更多的人則手持咖啡美點(diǎn),在人群中穿來穿去,三三五五,結(jié)伴交談。新朋舊友,談得歡快,到天黑方罷。畢業(yè)典禮的正日子是7日。早上七點(diǎn),畢業(yè)生和家長從各自住宿的飯店,趕到法學(xué)院的帳蓬大廳前用餐。雖然早餐依然豐盛,大多數(shù)人都無心慢慢享用。畢業(yè)生們開始穿戴峨冠博帶的畢業(yè)盛裝。對此情景,我的腦子中突然冒出『紅樓夢』中的一句話:“賈母等有爵者,都按品大妝起來。”哈佛畢業(yè)生的服飾是有嚴(yán)格規(guī)定的,不但因?qū)W士、碩士、博士的不同級別而有區(qū)別,不同的學(xué)科也有各自的標(biāo)記:衣袍前胸的兩條線繡的花紋,有不同顏色,如農(nóng)業(yè)黃色、商業(yè)黃褐色、經(jīng)濟(jì)紫銅色、教育淺藍(lán)色,等等。女兒指給我看,她胸前的花紋是紫色的,這是法學(xué)的標(biāo)志。
早餐匆匆結(jié)束,畢業(yè)生列隊(duì)進(jìn)埸。進(jìn)入正式會埸前,他們先要在校園里游行。游行中,各個學(xué)院的隊(duì)伍各有特點(diǎn),有的溫文爾雅,有的戴著特置墨鏡,有的手持美國國旗。法學(xué)院的學(xué)生則是高舉法槌,有些商學(xué)院畢業(yè)生竟然手里揮動著美元。這時,參加典禮的家長親友也得趕快入埸了。主會埸設(shè)在哈佛中心圖書館前的哈佛園里。主席臺前大片的最佳坐位,當(dāng)然都是留給了畢業(yè)生的。來賓的位子在后面,從左到右分成ABCD四個區(qū)。我們的入埸券標(biāo)明是D區(qū)。可是,等我驗(yàn)完票進(jìn)得埸去,幾萬張椅子早已席無虛座。怪不得,據(jù)說天剛拂曉,有人就開始趕來占座位了。有的人則看中圖書館前面的石級,從上到下排排而坐。我們好不容易搶到最下一層石級正中的兩個空位。石級太矮,坐著不很舒服,而且也稍遠(yuǎn)了點(diǎn),卻是正對主席臺,前無遮擋。維持秩序的人員見了不住稱贊,說我們的位子是觀看入埸式最理想的位子。
入埸式開始時已是九點(diǎn)多了。本科畢業(yè)生的隊(duì)伍行進(jìn)到正中過道后,卻是站住不走了。他們分排在通道兩側(cè),又成了夾道歡迎教授隊(duì)伍入埸的頭排群眾。教授和貴賓的入埸式最有氣勢,樂曲聲起,埸面一如李歐梵先生在書中所述,“典禮官戴著大帽子先行,后面就是教授的行列,兩人一排,緩步前進(jìn)。學(xué)生則夾道拍手歡呼。”學(xué)生不時向自已熟悉的教授大聲招呼,雙方揮手,最是得意。隊(duì)伍中走來比爾.蓋茨,還有一個個大家常在電視新聞中見面的政界學(xué)界名人。全埸站立,人們一邊鼓掌,一邊忙著咔嚓咔嚓地?fù)岀R頭拍照。
教授在臺上坐定,典禮官宣布畢業(yè)典禮正式開始。哈佛畢業(yè)典禮的一項(xiàng)傳統(tǒng)儀程是畢業(yè)生代表講話,一定是兩個學(xué)生代表,一個用英文講,一個用拉丁文講。今年這個學(xué)生的英文講話題目有點(diǎn)古怪,叫“Ghosts in the Yard”,如果硬譯成中文,竟然是“哈佛園里的鬼魂”。這樣的譯法當(dāng)然不對。因?yàn)樗v話內(nèi)容講的是如何繼承先輩的文化遺產(chǎn),所以譯作“祖先的英靈正在哈佛園看著我們”,或許更為確切。拉丁文的學(xué)生講話就更妙了,他在臺上講得有聲有色,幾萬人在臺下細(xì)心聆聽,但是誰也聽不懂他在講些什么。拉丁文曾經(jīng)是西方學(xué)術(shù)界的專用語言,現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)自然消亡。那怕是哈佛教授中,能聽懂拉丁語的恐怕也寥若晨星。所以,每個與會者事前發(fā)了一份這個講話的英文譯稿。數(shù)萬人平心靜氣,黑丫丫一大片,沒有一絲雜音,只聽見一種高雅的古語,昂埸頓挫,在肅穆的空間中回蕩。你想想,這是一種什么埸面?這是一種什么氣氛?
這是什么呢?其實(shí),這就是孔夫子所說的“禮”。李歐梵先生在書中介紹哈佛畢業(yè)典禮時,就談到了哈佛的“禮儀文化”,并說“哈佛各種禮儀也是各種藝術(shù)的表現(xiàn)”。不只在畢業(yè)典禮上有學(xué)生代表的拉丁文講話,哈佛的畢業(yè)證書也全用拉丁文。孔子在『論語』中說,“禮云禮云,玉帛云乎哉?樂云樂云,鐘鼓云乎哉?”哈佛這樣做,不是形式主義,不是故作高深,也不是提倡復(fù)古。這里面包涵著一種寓意,一種人文傳承的教化。這使我想起了哈佛的校訓(xùn):“與柏拉圖為伍,與亞里士多德為伍,更重要的是與真理為伍”,不正是充分體現(xiàn)了這種傳統(tǒng)人文教育的理念嗎?
這就順便帶出一個問題:在美國,上哈佛等長春藤名校,同上普通的大學(xué)相比,究竟有什么不同?實(shí)在說,如果單從學(xué)知識,學(xué)技能方面考慮,兩者沒有什么不同。不同之處在人文修養(yǎng)的教育和熏淘。有識之士早已指出,現(xiàn)代大學(xué)教育的弊病在於,把學(xué)校變成了單純的知識販賣店,教育也淪為對專門技藝的訓(xùn)練。名校比較注重於文化的傳承,和對學(xué)生人格的全面培養(yǎng)。人文修養(yǎng)才是教育的根本。它不僅使學(xué)生具有較完備的學(xué)識,還使他們具有良好的人際溝通學(xué)養(yǎng)。不管你信不信,哈佛等名校畢業(yè)的學(xué)生在社會上成功比例較高的根本原因,或許就在這一點(diǎn)上。
一位被迫下臺的哈佛校長: 功過自有人心在
我在上面還說過,今年哈佛大學(xué)的畢業(yè)典禮是哈佛建校以來不同凡響的一次畢業(yè)典禮。說它不同凡響,我絕不是指它請到了什么什么人來講話。哈佛歷屆畢業(yè)典禮請到過的各式名人多去了,這都不算是稀奇的事情。稀奇的事情是:今年哈佛畢業(yè)典禮的主席臺上,坐著三位校長,卻沒有一位校長是正式的。
眾所周知,哈佛畢業(yè)典禮的主持是典禮官,但校長,只有校長才是畢業(yè)典禮中最核心、最重要的人物。
畢業(yè)典禮在繼續(xù),接下去是頒發(fā)學(xué)位,這是整個儀程的高潮。身穿紅色大袍的校長居中坐在主席臺靠后的一張高背椅上,有如中國古裝戲臺中的元帥升帳。據(jù)說這椅子是畢業(yè)典禮校長專用的,每次都專門抬來,是權(quán)力和威望的象征。校長座前空出一方位置,十幾個學(xué)院的院長一律穿著特定“哈佛紅”的博士長袍,一一依次向前,站定,面對校長躬立,再大聲報告:“我代表某某學(xué)院向校長和董事會匯報,我身后的博士多少名,碩士多少名,學(xué)士多少名,經(jīng)過數(shù)年學(xué)習(xí),已經(jīng)完成了相關(guān)學(xué)位的所有課程并通過了論文答辨,特此申請學(xué)位,請批準(zhǔn)。”其聲短促而宏亮,直如眾將軍請令。校長聽畢,照例朗聲答道:“我批準(zhǔn)。”此言一出,這個學(xué)院的畢業(yè)生立即全體起立,歡呼,雀躍。全埸幾萬人跟著掌聲雷動,歡呼聲不亞於千軍萬馬得勝歸朝。
這就是畢業(yè)典禮上,哈佛校長威風(fēng)八面的氣勢。
可是,本屆畢業(yè)典禮沒有正式校長,行此權(quán)令的是代理校長博克,那么,校長哪里去了呢?校長被迫辭職了。他就是著名的哈佛大學(xué)的悲劇英雄薩默斯。提起薩默斯的辭職,想來大家都會知道,那曾是震動教育界和學(xué)術(shù)界的特大新聞。
這個薩默斯實(shí)在不簡單。他出身於一個學(xué)術(shù)世家,父母親都是經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家,他的叔叔和舅舅分別都是經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)諾貝爾獎得主。他自已也好生了得,28歲就成了哈佛大學(xué)歷史上最年輕的經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)終身教授。40多歲出任克林頓政府的財政部,從副部長做到部長,政績傲人。克林頓時期全國經(jīng)濟(jì)一片大好局面,不能說不同他有很大的關(guān)系。2001年,薩默斯47歲,英氣逼人,就任哈佛大學(xué)第27任校長,可以說是眾望所歸。人們期望他能夠大刀闊斧進(jìn)行改革,給哈佛開創(chuàng)一個新的局面。
在哈佛,薩默斯確實(shí)努力做了,而且做得很有成效。他眼光獨(dú)到,出手狠抓的都是哈佛大學(xué)今后發(fā)展的關(guān)鍵問題,如本科生教育的核心地位;強(qiáng)調(diào)科學(xué)的訓(xùn)練;大力為弱勢階層子弟創(chuàng)造接受哈佛教育的機(jī)會,等等。正在他干得得勁的時候,倒運(yùn)來了。
2005年,在一次內(nèi)部會議上,他發(fā)言說,女科學(xué)家少的原因是不是因?yàn)槟信忍斓纳聿顒e所引起的呢?薩默斯這個話觸犯“政治正確”的大防,在女權(quán)之幟高張的美國社會,立即招來一片批判喊打之聲。如果光是這么一句話倒也罷了,偏偏他在改革中觸動了不少哈佛名教授的利益。這些教授乘機(jī)串聯(lián)起來,在哈佛歷史上首次對自已的校長投下了不信任票。他干不下去了,終于被迫辭職。他的任期到2006年6月30日結(jié)束,也就是說,堅持辦完去年的畢業(yè)典禮后,他就下臺了。
實(shí)在說,支持薩默斯的人也不少。哈佛的學(xué)生們就很喜歡他。薩默斯持才傲物,目無余子,對有些教授看不入眼,脾氣很大,但對學(xué)生倒很有親民精神。他親自給大一的學(xué)生上大課,常到學(xué)生食堂巡視,甚至到學(xué)生宿舍、橄欖球埸、舞會,同青年學(xué)生扎堆聊天。有趣的是,他任財政部長時發(fā)行的美元上印有他的名字,學(xué)生們常手持這種美元請他在上面簽名。哈佛的不少教授也是始終支持他的。我不是為薩默斯喊冤,也不是認(rèn)為他不該下臺。公平地說,這家伙毛病不少,他那一套命令主義和長官作風(fēng),在政府機(jī)關(guān)做個部長可以容忍,在哈佛大學(xué)去對付一大幫著名教授和高級知識分子,確實(shí)是不行的。他不適合做哈佛校長,下臺雖然可惜,也可以說他是種豆得豆吧。
薩默斯辭職后,由他前任的前任退休校長博克暫代校長職務(wù)?,F(xiàn)在,新校長已經(jīng)選出了。是位女校長。外界稱之為哈佛的“安全穩(wěn)當(dāng)”的決定。她就是現(xiàn)哈佛雷克列芙(原女子學(xué)院)院長、著名的美國歷史學(xué)家胡斯特教授。任期七月開始。今天,她也坐在主席臺上,還沒有正式上任。
我正在這么想著的時候,畢業(yè)典禮的儀程進(jìn)行到下一項(xiàng):由校長頒發(fā)榮譽(yù)學(xué)位。博克代校長宣布授贈榮譽(yù)學(xué)位者的名字,念一段既高度慨括又不乏幽默的簡短頌詞,再頒發(fā)榮譽(yù)學(xué)位證書。按部就班地,一個接著一個?!跋乱粋€-----”突然我的眼睛一下直了,全埸也是一陣騷動。完全出人意料地,博克代校長宣布,下一個是薩默斯,授予哈佛大學(xué)法學(xué)博士榮譽(yù)學(xué)位。
我的坐位較遠(yuǎn),看不清主席臺上人的表情,但可以看見旁邊掛著電視直播的大銀幕。剛一宣布,鏡頭馬上切換到薩默斯巨大的面部特寫。只見他臉色陰沉,一副倔傲、不快的神情。我心猜想,他或許只是為了顧全大局,才被動員來勉強(qiáng)接受這個榮譽(yù)學(xué)位的吧。
學(xué)生中先響起了掌聲,一陣接著一陣,一片接著一片,最后全埸鼓掌,一分鐘,兩分鐘,經(jīng)久不息。隨著掌聲,薩默斯的面部表情在動,在變,一直緊繃的嘴角松開,他終於被掌聲感動了,笑了。
我的眼晴有點(diǎn)濕潤。為了哈佛大學(xué)化解矛盾的智慧,為了公平而善良的民眾之心,為了薩默斯的硬漢悲情,我深深地感動。大丈夫?yàn)槿艘皇溃荒懿蛔鍪?,不能不說話。要做事和說話,就不可能沒有爭議,也不可能不犯錯誤。功過自有人心在,千秋功罪,有人評說。我拿相機(jī)搶拍下了薩默斯面部復(fù)雜變化的兩張照片。我想,我這是忠實(shí)地記錄下了一個瞬間的歷史。
一個中途退學(xué)的哈佛學(xué)生: 目標(biāo)成功濟(jì)蒼生
接在薩默斯后面,博克代校長又宣布,授予比爾.蓋茨法學(xué)博土的榮譽(yù)學(xué)位。對此,到埸群眾反映十分熱烈,但其興奮的成份大大多於意外。比爾.蓋茨的故事,人人耳熟能詳:1973年他考進(jìn)哈佛大學(xué),只讀了兩年,就中途退學(xué),和好友保羅·艾倫一起創(chuàng)建了微軟公司。比爾.蓋茨連學(xué)士學(xué)位都沒有,但現(xiàn)在是世界首富,被公認(rèn)為是最成功的人士。他本該1977年大學(xué)畢業(yè),距今正好30年。今天,哈佛大學(xué)授予他博士學(xué)位,大家都認(rèn)為是理所該當(dāng)。大家等著聽比爾.蓋茨的演說,但是,那是下午的儀程。頒發(fā)榮譽(yù)學(xué)位以后,大概十一點(diǎn)半,全校慶典暫時休會。大家回到各自的學(xué)院去,吃中飯,并給每個畢業(yè)生頒發(fā)學(xué)位證書。我們回到法學(xué)院。在法學(xué)院圖書館大樓前,早搭起了一個高臺。高臺前則是幾百張大圓桌,每張桌子可坐十人,中間擺著香檳酒,等著大家入席。這是一個幾千人歡聚一堂的盛大宴會。新科的碩士、博士們同家人坐在一起,大家互相慶賀,笑語盈盈,充滿了歡樂的熱烈氣氛。
最激動、最興奮的時刻,還是領(lǐng)取學(xué)位證書。畢業(yè)生們排著長隊(duì),一個一個挨次走上高臺,在法學(xué)院院長手里接過學(xué)位證書。大家都是一臉的燦爛笑容,有的人抱著小孩上臺,讓自己的娃娃從小感受一下哈佛的氣息。還有一個人居然牽著愛犬,大概想讓他的狗也沾上點(diǎn)喜氣吧。家長們則是在臺下擠來擠去,忙著找合適的角度拍照。每當(dāng)一個畢業(yè)生接過學(xué)位證書時,他的家長、親友就在臺下一齊鼓掌,喊著他或她的名字,大聲歡叫喝彩。
我在旁邊觀察,這個時候最勞累、最辛苦的人要屬法學(xué)院女院長。她穿著紅色長袍,面帶笑容,先給每個人握手,再遞上學(xué)位證書,碰到畢業(yè)生帶上臺來的嬰兒,還要親一親,抱一下。畢業(yè)生太多了,她的手也一定握酸了。我看她不時抽空擦掉腦門上的汗水。
法學(xué)院的畢業(yè)生委實(shí)不少,總共有六、七百人。我現(xiàn)在才弄明白,哈佛法學(xué)院畢業(yè)生的學(xué)位分三等:法學(xué)碩士(LLM)、法學(xué)博士(JD)和法學(xué)科學(xué)博士(SJD)。校長授予比爾.蓋茨他們的法學(xué)榮譽(yù)博士(LLD),那是專門表彰為社會作出杰出貢獻(xiàn)的賢能人士的。
記得兩年前,李敖曾經(jīng)在一次講話中拿呂秀蓮開刀,說“呂秀蓮太可恥了。她是哈佛的一個補(bǔ)習(xí)班出來的,不像馬英九,馬英九是正統(tǒng)哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)的,而呂秀蓮是冒充哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)的。”我這里替呂秀蓮說句話,她不是“一個補(bǔ)習(xí)班”出來的,哈佛畢業(yè)也不是“冒充的”。她在哈佛法學(xué)院上了一年學(xué),得的學(xué)位是法學(xué)碩士。當(dāng)然,她比不上馬英九,馬英九在哈佛法學(xué)院攻讀了五年,得的是法學(xué)科學(xué)博士。馬英九確實(shí)非常了不起,像他這樣的法學(xué)科學(xué)博士每年只有十來個。哈佛法學(xué)院畢業(yè)生最多的是法學(xué)博土,我對女兒說,“你的學(xué)位比呂秀蓮高一級,跟馬英九比還是低了一級?!碑?dāng)然這只是開開玩笑。其實(shí),看看比爾.蓋茨的例子就知道,一個人的能力和價值,是不能單純用學(xué)位來衡量的。
法學(xué)院發(fā)完學(xué)位證書后,本來,我們應(yīng)在二點(diǎn)鐘回到全校慶典主會埸,繼續(xù)開會。但女兒同她的同學(xué)們又是照相,又是話別,依依不舍,等我們趕到主會埸,已經(jīng)三點(diǎn)半了。幾萬張椅子當(dāng)然早就沒有我們的份,這次石級也別想占到位,連過道上都擠滿人了。人越來越多,大家對臺上正在進(jìn)行的講話似乎不太經(jīng)意,只是急切地等待比爾.蓋茨的講演。我們?nèi)齻€人好不容易擠了進(jìn)去,站在人群中,也是等者。
比爾.蓋茨的講話開始后,大家聽得關(guān)注起來,不時發(fā)出笑聲和掌聲。比爾.蓋茨脫掉上午的紅色博士長袍,換上了西裝,顯得輕松不少。開埸白,他的話講得很詼諧。他說,“老爸,我早就告訴過你,我會回哈佛拿到文憑的。為了這天,我已經(jīng)等待了30年?!边€說,感謝哈佛授給他學(xué)位,“有了學(xué)位,我的履歷表看起來就會像樣一點(diǎn)?!?/p>
慢慢轉(zhuǎn)入正題后,他的話變得越來越沉重。他說,這個世界存在著可怕的種種不平等現(xiàn)象,每年有幾百萬兒童死於貧窮和各種各樣的疾病,很多人生活在絕望的邊緣?!拔易畲蟮倪z憾”是“用了幾十年的時間才明白了這些?!彼砸鸭磳⒔Y(jié)束微軟公司的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)職務(wù),全力經(jīng)營慈善事業(yè)。他也呼吁哈佛大學(xué)和哈佛的畢業(yè)生應(yīng)為那些沒有強(qiáng)大的市場力量,在世上沒有發(fā)言權(quán)的不知姓名的弱勢群體多做點(diǎn)事情。他的講話中,有一段話使我十分感動,他說:“我媽媽為我考上哈佛充滿自豪。她總是不停地督促我要多為他人作些事。我結(jié)婚時,她患癌癥,已接近生命的終點(diǎn)。在新娘活動上,她用僅有的一點(diǎn)力氣,大聲朗讀寫給我的妻子梅林達(dá)的一封信。信上說,‘從社會得到很多的人,社會期望他的也多?!裉煸谧墓甬厴I(yè)生,都是有才能、特權(quán)和機(jī)會的人,從社會得到了這么多,今后無論我們?yōu)樯鐣貓蠖嗌?,都是遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)不夠的!” 我認(rèn)為,比爾.蓋茨有一個觀點(diǎn)很令人深思。他說,“人類的最大進(jìn)步并不體現(xiàn)在科技的發(fā)現(xiàn)和發(fā)明上,而是如何利用它們來消除不平等。不管通過何種方式,民主、公共教育、醫(yī)療保健、或者是經(jīng)濟(jì)合作,消除不平等才是人類的最大成就。” 一個人的一生,怎么樣才算成動?哈佛畢業(yè),拿個學(xué)士、博士學(xué)位不算成功;擁有百億美元身價也不算成功;當(dāng)個總統(tǒng)、副總統(tǒng)也不能說就是成功。半個多世紀(jì)前,川軍儒將周從化先生有兩句詩很有名,“失敗膏黃土,成功濟(jì)蒼生?!背晒υ陟镀諠?jì)蒼生。我體會,比爾.蓋茨今天所講的,可能也就是這個意思吧。
一名曾被哈佛拒收的總統(tǒng)候選人:進(jìn)退貴持平常心
畢業(yè)典禮結(jié)束后,我們一家三口順著人潮,走出會埸。我不時看到一些白發(fā)蒼蒼的老人三三五五地在校園里徜徉,看樣子不太像是應(yīng)屆畢業(yè)生的家長;許多樓房的底墻根上,還貼著一些醒目的大標(biāo)牌,上面只有數(shù)字,如1957,1975、1982,等等。原來,這也是哈佛的一個慣例,每年都會有許多哈佛校友從全國各地趕來參加畢業(yè)典禮,校友們把它當(dāng)成了回訪母校、同學(xué)相聚的機(jī)會。特別是畢業(yè)25年、35年、50年,是同學(xué)們聚會的約定年份。你想像一下,50年,那就是1957年的哈佛畢業(yè)生了。50年中間,社會的巨大變遷不說,每個人該經(jīng)歷過多少升沉進(jìn)退的生活磨煉?。∠氲竭@里,我跟女兒說:“克里好像不是哈佛校友吧,怎么今天他也跑來參加畢業(yè)典禮了呢?”女兒驚異地回答說,“克里來了嗎?我沒有看見,也沒有聽說他來呀!”克里確實(shí)是來了,這是我親眼看見的。早上畢業(yè)典禮剛開始,在教授和貴賓的入埸式上,我認(rèn)出了他。站在我前方的群眾喊了他的名字,他回過頭來向喊他的人示意,我趕忙把相機(jī)對準(zhǔn)他,搶拍了一張近距離的快照?,F(xiàn)在照片已經(jīng)洗出來了,清清楚楚,當(dāng)真是克里,如假包換。
對克里,我想,全美國人都不會認(rèn)錯。2004年美國總統(tǒng)大選時,他作為民主黨的總統(tǒng)候選人同小布什抗衡,兢爭異常激烈,難解難分。當(dāng)時美國東西兩岸各州民眾大都支持克里,大學(xué)生尤其是克里的瘋狂支持者,每個大學(xué)的校園里掛滿了他的巨幅照片和為他助選的大標(biāo)語。那時,他出現(xiàn)在哪里,哪里就是一片歡騰,跟蹤拍照的記者,要求簽名的“粉絲”,成群結(jié)隊(duì),如影隨形。每天他的行跡,一舉一動,都是各大媒體的頭號新聞。
歷史真是無情哪!克里以少數(shù)選票落選,沒能當(dāng)上總統(tǒng)。僅僅兩年功夫,他再也不是媒體追逐的報道對象了,也不再是萬民注目的擁戴對象了。他參加哈佛畢業(yè)典禮,全埸數(shù)萬人幾乎全都沒有注意到他。真?zhèn)€是:他悄悄的走了,正如他悄悄的來,揮揮衣袖,不帶走一片云彩??偨y(tǒng)不總統(tǒng),對他來說,只是交臂而過的偶然。他當(dāng)上總統(tǒng)的話,起碼總不會比小布什干得更差勁吧。不可設(shè)想,如果他當(dāng)上總統(tǒng),今天來哈佛參加畢業(yè)典禮,那么媒體和民眾待他又將是一個什么情景呢!
既然這么地不受關(guān)注,真不知道為什么克里今天要到哈佛來。眾所周知,他不是哈佛校友,哈佛曾將他拒絕於校門之外。1962年,克里高中畢業(yè),他滿懷希望地申請了哈佛大學(xué),但哈佛沒有錄取他。他本科上的是耶魯大學(xué),研究生院上的是波士頓大學(xué)法學(xué)院。前一陣,好事之徒編寫過一份叫“被哈佛拒收名人榜”的名單,把那些當(dāng)初被哈佛拒之門外,如今卻功成名就的人士,一一擇要列出??死飬⒆h員就是這個“名人榜”中的一員。看到自已被列上了這個頗會讓人有點(diǎn)尷尬的“名人榜”,克里只是平淡地說:“‘被拒絕’這個詞太嚴(yán)重了吧?我寧愿看作那是一次沒有成功的挑戰(zhàn)。”
說起克里被哈佛拒之門外的事,還有一段有趣的歷史小插曲:1962年暑假,克里作為志愿人員,幫助一位肯尼迪家族的人競選參議員,他有幸見到了肯尼迪總統(tǒng)??死锔嬖V肯尼迪,自已報考哈佛沒有成功,已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)備上耶魯。肯尼迪是哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)的,為了安慰克里,他笑著說,“噢,那沒關(guān)系,你知道現(xiàn)在我也成了耶魯人了?!笨夏岬现傅氖牵痪们耙敶髮W(xué)剛授予他一個榮譽(yù)學(xué)位。自從這次同克里談話后,肯尼迪一直稱自已是“哈佛的教育加上耶魯?shù)膶W(xué)位”。在2004年總統(tǒng)選舉中,雖然我反對小布什,卻對克里的印象也不甚隹。同薩默斯的嘴巴惹禍相仿佛,克里也說過一句絕對不該公開說的話。他對青年學(xué)生說,你們?nèi)绻缓煤米x書,就只能當(dāng)兵到伊拉克去打仗送死,結(jié)果引起掀然大波,被共和黨抓住把柄,好一陣迎頭痛打。他的敗選,也許同那次信口開河大有關(guān)系。
但是,這次在哈佛畢業(yè)典禮上見到克里,我對他的印象大大改觀。他這樣的大名人,又是曾被哈佛拒收的人,能夠如此瀟灑地跑到哈佛畢業(yè)典禮上來,坦然面對世態(tài)的炎涼。這份平常心態(tài),實(shí)在不是一般人能夠做到的呀!中國佛教禪宗講究的,就是修行這種平常心。見山是山,見水是水,肚餓吃飯困來眠,看似平常,卻是最難的境界。人的一輩子,難免有起有伏,有波有折。把世上百態(tài),通通視為平常,自已心里覺得該怎么做,就怎么去做。有了這樣的心態(tài),就可以消去不少身在紅塵的痛苦和煩惱。能夠以平常心去直面進(jìn)退榮辱的人,無疑就是世間高人。
結(jié)束了兩天的畢業(yè)典禮活動,我很想對女兒說一句話:今天你們從哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè),確實(shí)很榮耀,也很光輝,但是生活剛剛開始,聚光燈不會永遠(yuǎn)罩在你們的頭上。在今后的人生歷程中,當(dāng)年被哈佛拒收者克里的這個平常心,值得你們學(xué)習(xí)。
第二篇:比爾蓋茨在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講稿
president Bok, former president Rudenstine, incoming president Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, members of the faculty, parents, and especially, the graduates:
尊敬的 Bok 校長,Rudenstine 前校長,即將上任的 Faust 校長,哈佛集團(tuán)的各位成員,監(jiān)管理事會的各位理事,各位老師,各位家長,各位同學(xué):
I’ve been waiting more than 30 years to say this: Dad, I always told you I’d come back and get my degree.有一句話我等了三十年,現(xiàn)在終于可以說了: “ 老爸,我總是跟你說,我會回來拿到我的學(xué)位的!”
I want to thank Harvard for this timely honor.I’ll be changing my job next year … and it will be nice to finally have a college degree on my resume.我要感謝哈佛大學(xué)在這個時候給我這個榮譽(yù)。明年,我就要換工作了(注:指從微軟公司退休)…… 我終于可以在簡歷上寫我有一個本科學(xué)位,這真是不錯啊。
I applaud the graduates today for taking a much more direct route to your degrees.For my part, I’m just happy that the Crimson has called me Harvard’s most successful dropout.I guess that makes me valedictorian of my own special class … I did the best of everyone who failed.我為今天在座的各位同學(xué)感到高興,你們拿到學(xué)位可比我簡單多了。哈佛的校報稱我是 “ 哈佛大學(xué)歷史上最成功的輟學(xué)生 ”。我想這大概使我有資格代表我這一類學(xué)生發(fā)言 …… 在所有的失敗者里,我做得最好。
But I also want to be recognized as the guy who got Steve Ballmer to drop out of business school.I’m a bad influence.That’s why I was invited to speak at your graduation.If I had spoken at your orientation, fewer of you might be here today.但是,我還要提醒大家,我使得 Steve Ballmer(注:微軟總經(jīng)理)也從哈佛商學(xué)院退學(xué)了。因此,我是個有著惡劣影響力的人。這就是為什么我被邀請來在你們的畢業(yè)典禮上演講。如果我在你們?nèi)雽W(xué)歡迎儀式上演講,那么能夠堅持到今天在這里畢業(yè)的人也許會少得多吧。
Harvard was just a phenomenal experience for me.Academic life was fascinating.I used to sit in on lots of classes I hadn’t even signed up for.And dorm life was terrific.I lived upat Radcliffe, in Currier House.There were always lots of people in my dorm room late at night discussing things, because everyone knew I didn’t worry about getting up in the morning.That’s how I came to be the leader of the anti-social group.We clung to each other as a way of validating our rejection of all those social people.對我來說,哈佛的求學(xué)經(jīng)歷是一段非凡的經(jīng)歷。校園生活很有趣,我常去旁聽我沒選修的課。哈佛的課外生活也很棒,我在 Radcliffe 過著逍遙自在 的日子。每天我的寢室里總有很多人一直待到半夜,討論著各種事情。因?yàn)槊總€人都知道我從不考慮第二天早起。這使得我變成了校園里那些不安分學(xué)生的頭頭,我們互相粘在一起,做出一種拒絕所有正常學(xué)生的姿態(tài)。
Radcliffe was a great place to live.There were more women up there, and most of the guys were science-math types.That combination offered me the best odds, if you know what I mean.This is where I learned the sad lesson that improving your odds doesn’t guarantee success.Radcliffe 是個過日子的好地方。那里的女生比男生多,而且大多數(shù)男生都是理工科的。這種狀況為我創(chuàng)造了最好的機(jī)會,如果你們明白我的意思??上У氖?,我正是在這里學(xué)到了人生中悲傷的一課:機(jī)會大,并不等于你就會成功。
One of my biggest memories of Harvard came in January 1975, when I made a call from Currier House to a company in Albuquerque that had begun making the world’s first personal computers.I offered to sell them software.我在哈佛最難忘的回憶之一,發(fā)生在 1975 年 1 月。那時,我從宿舍樓里給位于 Albuquerque 的一家公司打了一個電話,那家公司已經(jīng)在著手制造世界上第一臺個人電腦。我提出想向他們出售軟件。
I worried that they would realize I was just a student in a dorm and hang up on me.Instead they said: We’re not quite ready, come see us in a month, which was a good thing, because we hadn’t written the software yet.From that moment, I worked day and night on this little extra credit project that marked the end of my college education and the beginning of a remarkable journey with microsoft.我很擔(dān)心,他們會發(fā)覺我是一個住在宿舍的學(xué)生,從而掛斷電話。但是他們卻說: “ 我們還沒準(zhǔn)備好,一個月后你再來找我們吧?!?這是個好消息,因?yàn)槟菚r 軟件還根本沒有寫出來呢。就是從那個時候起,我日以繼夜地在這個小小的課外項(xiàng)目上工作,這導(dǎo)致了我學(xué)生生活的結(jié)束,以及通往微軟公司的不平凡的旅程的開 始。
What I remember above all about Harvard was being in the midst of so much energy and Intelligence.It could be exhilarating, intimidating, sometimes even discouraging, but always challenging.It was an amazing privilege – and though I left early, I was transformed by my years at Harvard, the friendships I made, and the ideas I worked on.不管怎樣,我對哈佛的回憶主要都與充沛的精力和智力活動有關(guān)。哈佛的生活令人愉快,也令人感到有壓力,有時甚至?xí)械叫箽?,但永遠(yuǎn)充滿了挑戰(zhàn)性。生 活在哈佛是一種吸引人的特殊待遇 …… 雖然我離開得比較早,但是我在這里的經(jīng)歷、在這里結(jié)識的朋友、在這里發(fā)展起來的一些想法,永遠(yuǎn)地改變了我。
But taking a serious look back … I do have one big regret.但是,如果現(xiàn)在嚴(yán)肅地回憶起來,我確實(shí)有一個真正的遺憾。
I left Harvard with no real awareness of the awful inequities in the world – the appalling disparities of health, and wealth, and opportunity that condemn millions of people to lives of despair.我離開哈佛的時候,根本沒有意識到這個世界是多么的不平等。人類在健康、財富和機(jī)遇上的不平等大得可怕,它們使得無數(shù)的人們被迫生活在絕望之中。
I learned a lot here at Harvard about new ideas in economics and politics.I got great exposure to the advances being made in the sciences.我在哈佛學(xué)到了很多經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)和政治學(xué)的新思想。我也了解了很多科學(xué)上的新進(jìn)展。
But humanity’s greatest advances are not in its discoveries – but in how those discoveries are applied to reduce inequity.Whether through democracy, strong public education, quality health care, or broad economic opportunity – reducing inequity is the highest human achievement.但是,人類最大的進(jìn)步并不來自于這些發(fā)現(xiàn),而是來自于那些有助于減少人類不平等的發(fā)現(xiàn)。不管通過何種手段 —— 民主制度、健全的公共教育體系、高質(zhì)量的醫(yī)療保健、還是廣泛的經(jīng)濟(jì)機(jī)會 —— 減少不平等始終是人類最大的成就。
I left campus knowing little about the millions of young people cheated out of educational opportunities here in this country.And I knew nothing about the millions of people living in unspeakable poverty and disease in developing countries.我離開校園的時候,根本不知道在這個國家里,有幾百萬的年輕人無法獲得接受教育的機(jī)會。我也不知道,發(fā)展中國家里有無數(shù)的人們生活在無法形容的貧窮和疾病之中。
It took me decades to find out.我花了幾十年才明白了這些事情。
You graduates came to Harvard at a different time.You know more about the world’s inequities than the classes that came before.In your years here, I hope you’ve had a chance to think about how – in this age of accelerating technology – we can finally take on these inequities, and we can solve them.在座的各位同學(xué),你們是在與我不同的時代來到哈佛的。你們比以前的學(xué)生,更多地了解世界是怎樣的不平等。在你們的哈佛求學(xué)過程中,我希望你們已經(jīng)思考過一個問題,那就是在這個新技術(shù)加速發(fā)展的時代,我們怎樣最終應(yīng)對這種不平等,以及我們怎樣來解決這個問題。
Imagine, just for the sake of discussion, that you had a few hours a week and a few dollars a month to donate to a cause – and you wanted to spend that time and money where it would have the greatest impact in saving and improving lives.Where would you spend it?
為了討論的方便,請想象一下,假如你每個星期可以捐獻(xiàn)一些時間、每個月可以捐獻(xiàn)一些錢 —— 你希望這些時間和金錢,可以用到對拯救生命和改善人類生活有最大作用的地方。你會選擇什么地方?
For Melinda and for me, the challenge is the same: how can we do the most good for the greatest number with the resources we have.對 Melinda(注:蓋茨的妻子)和我來說,這也是我們面臨的問題:我們?nèi)绾文軐⑽覀儞碛械馁Y源發(fā)揮出最大的作用。
During our discussions on this question, Melinda and I read an article about the millions of children who were dying every year in poor countries from diseases that we had long ago made harmless in this country.Measles, malaria, pneumonia, hepatitis B, yellow fever.One disease I had never even heard of, rotavirus, was killing half a million kids each year – none of them in the United States.在討論過程中,Melinda 和我讀到了一篇文章,里面說在那些貧窮的國家,每年有數(shù)百萬的兒童死于那些在美國早已不成問題的疾病。麻疹、瘧疾、肺
炎、乙型肝炎、黃熱病、還有一種以前我從未聽說過的輪狀病毒,這些疾病每年導(dǎo)致 50 萬兒童死亡,但是在美國一例死亡病例也沒有。
We were shocked.We had just assumed that if millions of children were dying and they could be saved, the world would make it a priority to discover and deliver the medicines to save them.But it did not.For under a dollar, there were interventions that could save lives that just weren’t being delivered.我們被震驚了。我們想,如果幾百萬兒童正在死亡線上掙扎,而且他們是可以被挽救的,那么世界理應(yīng)將用藥物拯救他們作為頭等大事。但是事實(shí)并非如此。那些價格還不到一美元的救命的藥劑,并沒有送到他們的手中。
If you believe that every life has equal value, it’s revolting to learn that some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not.We said to ourselves: This can’t be true.But if it is true, it deserves to be the priority of our giving.如果你相信每個生命都是平等的,那么當(dāng)你發(fā)現(xiàn)某些生命被挽救了,而另一些生命被放棄了,你會感到無法接受。我們對自己說: “ 事情不可能如此。如果這是真的,那么它理應(yīng)是我們努力的頭等大事。”
So we began our work in the same way anyone here would begin it.We asked: How could the world let these children die?
所以,我們用任何人都會想到的方式開始工作。我們問: “ 這個世界怎么可以眼睜睜看著這些孩子死去? ”
我們并沒有很多機(jī)會了解那些死亡事件。媒體總是報告新聞,幾百萬人將要死去并非新聞。如果沒有人報道,那么這些事件就很容易被忽視。另一方面,即使 我們確實(shí)目睹了事件本身或者看到了相關(guān)報道,我們也很難持續(xù)關(guān)注這些事件??粗耸芸嗍橇钊送纯嗟?,何況問題又如此復(fù)雜,我們根本不知道如何去幫助他 人。所以我們會將臉轉(zhuǎn)過去。
If we can really see a problem, which is the first step, we come to the second step: cutting through the complexity to find a solution.就算我們真正發(fā)現(xiàn)了問題所在,也不過是邁出了第一步,接著還有第二步:那就是從復(fù)雜的事件中找到解決辦法。
Finding solutions is essential if we want to make the most of our caring.If we have clear and proven answers anytime an organization or individual asks How can I help?, then we can get action – and we can make sure that none of the caring in the world is wasted.But complexity makes it hard to mark a path of action for everyone who cares — and that makes it hard for their caring to matter.如果我們要讓關(guān)心落到實(shí)處,我們就必須找到解決辦法。如果我們有一個清晰的和可靠的答案,那么當(dāng)任何組織和個人發(fā)出疑問 “ 如何我能提供幫助 ” 的時 候,我們就能采取行動。我們就能夠保證不浪費(fèi)一丁點(diǎn)全世界人類對他人的關(guān)心。但是,世界的復(fù)雜性使得很難找到對全世界每一個有愛心的人都有效的行動方法,因此人類對他人的關(guān)心往往很難產(chǎn)生實(shí)際效果。
Cutting through complexity to find a solution runs through four predictable stages: determine a goal, find the highest-leverage approach, discover the ideal technology for that approach, and in the meantime, make the smartest application of the technology that you already have — whether it’s something sophisticated, like a drug, or something simpler, like a bednet.從這個復(fù)雜的世界中找到解決辦法,可以分為四個步驟:確定目標(biāo),找到最高效的方法,發(fā)現(xiàn)適用于這個方法的新技術(shù),同時最聰明地利用現(xiàn)有的技術(shù),不管它是復(fù)雜的藥物,還是最簡單的蚊帳。
The AIDS epidemic offers an example.The broad goal, of course, is to end the disease.The highest-leverage approach is prevention.The ideal technology would be a vaccine that gives lifetime immunity with a single dose.So governments, drug companies, and foundations fund vaccine research.But their work is likely to take more than a decade, so in the meantime, we have to work with what we have in hand – and the best prevention approach we have now is getting people to avoid risky behavior.艾滋病就是一個例子??偟哪繕?biāo),毫無疑問是消滅這種疾病。最高效的方法是預(yù)防。最理想的技術(shù)是發(fā)明一種疫苗,只要注射一次,就可以終生免疫。所以,政府、制藥公司、基金會應(yīng)該資助疫苗研究。但是,這樣研究工作很可能十年之內(nèi)都無法完成。因此,與此同時,我們必須使用現(xiàn)有的技術(shù),目前最有效的預(yù)防方法 就是設(shè)法讓人們避免那些危險的行為。
pursuing that goal starts the four-step cycle again.This is the pattern.The crucial thing is to never stop thinking and working – and never do what we did with malaria and tuberculosis in the 20th century – which is to surrender to complexity and quit.要實(shí)現(xiàn)這個新的目標(biāo),又可以采用新的四步循環(huán)。這是一種模式。關(guān)鍵的東西是永遠(yuǎn)不要停止思考和行動。我們千萬不能再犯上個世紀(jì)在瘧疾和肺結(jié)核上犯過的錯誤,那時我們因?yàn)樗鼈兲珡?fù)雜,而放棄了采取行動。
The final step – after seeing the problem and finding an approach – is to measure the impact of your work and share your successes and failures so that others learn from your efforts.在發(fā)現(xiàn)問題和找到解決方法之后,就是最后一步 —— 評估工作結(jié)果,將你的成功經(jīng)驗(yàn)或者失敗經(jīng)驗(yàn)傳播出去,這樣其他人就可以從你的努力中有所收獲。
You have to have the statistics, of course.You have to be able to show that a program is vaccinating millions more children.You have to be able to show a decline in the number of children dying from these diseases.This is essential not just to improve the program, but also to help draw more investment from business and government.當(dāng)然,你必須有一些統(tǒng)計數(shù)字。你必須讓他人知道,你的項(xiàng)目為幾百萬兒童新接種了疫苗。你也必須讓他人知道,兒童死亡人數(shù)下降了多少。這些都是很關(guān)鍵的,不僅有利于改善項(xiàng)目效果,也有利于從商界和政府得到更多的幫助。
But if you want to inspire people to participate, you have to show more than numbers;you have to convey the human impact of the work – so people can feel what saving a life means to the families affected.但是,這些還不夠,如果你想激勵其他人參加你的項(xiàng)目,你就必須拿出更多的統(tǒng)計數(shù)字;你必須展示你的項(xiàng)目的人性因素,這樣其他人就會感到拯救一個生命,對那些處在困境中的家庭到底意味著什么。
I remember going to Davos some years back and sitting on a global health panel that was discussing ways to save millions of lives.Millions!Think of the thrill of saving just one person’s life – then multiply that by millions.… Yet this was the most boring panel I’ve ever been on – ever.So boring even I couldn’t bear it.幾年前,我去瑞士達(dá)沃斯旁聽一個全球健康問題論壇,會議的內(nèi)容有關(guān)于如何拯救幾百萬條生命。天哪,是幾百萬!想一想吧,拯救一個人的生命已經(jīng)讓人何等激動,現(xiàn)在你要把這種激動再乘上幾百萬倍 …… 但是,不幸的是,這是我參加過的最最乏味的論壇,乏味到我無法強(qiáng)迫自己聽下去。
What made that experience especially striking was that I had just come from an event where we were introducing version 13 of some piece of software, and we had people jumping and shouting with excitement.I love getting people excited about software – but why can’t we generate even more excitement for saving lives?
那次經(jīng)歷之所以讓我難忘,是因?yàn)橹拔覀儎倓偘l(fā)布了一個軟件的第 13 個版本,我們讓觀眾激動得跳了起來,喊出了聲。我喜歡人們因?yàn)檐浖械郊樱敲次覀優(yōu)槭裁床荒軌蜃屓藗円驗(yàn)槟軌蛘壬械礁蛹幽?
You can’t get people excited unless you can help them see and feel the impact.And how you do that – is a complex question.除非你能夠讓人們看到或者感受到行動的影響力,否則你無法讓人們激動。如何做到這一點(diǎn),并不是一件簡單的事。
Still, I’m optimistic.Yes, inequity has been with us forever, but the new tools we have to cut through complexity have not been with us forever.They are new – they can help us make the most of our caring – and that’s why the future can be different from the past.同前面一樣,在這個問題上,我依然是樂觀的。不錯,人類的不平等有史以來一直存在,但是那些能夠化繁為簡的新工具,卻是最近才出現(xiàn)的。這些新工具可以幫助我們,將人類的同情心發(fā)揮最大的作用,這就是為什么將來同過去是不一樣的。
The defining and ongoing innovations of this age – biotechnology, the computer, the Internet – give us a chance we’ve never had before to end extreme poverty and end death from preventable disease.這個時代無時無刻不在涌現(xiàn)出新的革新 —— 生物技術(shù),計算機(jī),互聯(lián)網(wǎng) —— 它們給了我們一個從未有過的機(jī)會,去終結(jié)那些極端的貧窮和非惡性疾病的死亡。
Sixty years ago, George Marshall came to this commencement and announced a plan to assist the nations of post-war Europe.He said: I think one difficulty is that the problem is one of such enormous complexity that the very mass of facts presented to the public by press and radio make it exceedingly difficult for the man in the street to reach a clear appraisement of the situation.It is virtually impossible at this distance to grasp at all the real significance of the situation.六十年前,喬治.馬歇爾也是在這個地方的畢業(yè)典禮上,宣布了一個計劃,幫助那些歐洲國家的戰(zhàn)后建設(shè)。他說: “ 我認(rèn)為,困難的一點(diǎn)是這個問題太復(fù)雜,報紙和電臺向公眾源源不斷地提供各種事實(shí),使得大街上的普通人極端難于清晰地判斷形勢。事實(shí)上,經(jīng)過層層傳播,想要真正地把握形勢,是根本不可能的?!?/p>
Thirty years after Marshall made his address, as my class graduated without me, technology was emerging that would make the world smaller, more open, more visible, less distant.馬歇爾發(fā)表這個演講之后的三十年,我那一屆學(xué)生畢業(yè),當(dāng)然我不在其中。那時,新技術(shù)剛剛開始萌芽,它們將使得這個世界變得更小、更開放、更容易看到、距離更近。
The emergence of low-cost personal computers gave rise to a powerful network that has transformed opportunities for learning and communicating.低成本的個人電腦的出現(xiàn),使得一個強(qiáng)大的互聯(lián)網(wǎng)有機(jī)會誕生,它為學(xué)習(xí)和交流提供了巨大的機(jī)會。
The magical thing about this network is not just that it collapses distance and makes everyone your neighbor.It also dramatically increases the number of brilliant minds we can have working together on the same problem – and that scales up the rate of innovation to a staggering degree.網(wǎng)絡(luò)的神奇之處,不僅僅是它縮短了物理距離,使得天涯若比鄰。它還極大地增加了懷有共同想法的人們聚集在一起的機(jī)會,我們可以為了解決同一個問題,一起共同工作。這就大大加快了革新的進(jìn)程,發(fā)展速度簡直快得讓人震驚。
At the same time, for every person in the world who has access to this technology, five people don’t.That means many creative minds are left out of this discussion--smart people with practical intelligence and relevant experience who don’t have the technology to hone their talents or contribute their ideas to the world.與此同時,世界上有條件上網(wǎng)的人,只是全部人口的六分之一。這意味著,還有許多具有創(chuàng)造性的人們,沒有加入到我們的討論中來。那些有著實(shí)際的操作經(jīng)驗(yàn)和相關(guān)經(jīng)歷的聰明人,卻沒有技術(shù)來幫助他們,將他們的天賦或者想法與全世界分享。
We need as many people as possible to have access to this technology, because these advances are triggering a revolution in what human beings can do for one another.They are making it possible not just for national governments, but for universities, corporations, smaller organizations, and even individuals to see problems, see approaches, and measure the impact of their efforts to address the hunger, poverty, and desperation George Marshall spoke of 60 years ago.lunwen001.cn provided
我們需要盡可能地讓更多的人有機(jī)會使用新技術(shù),因?yàn)檫@些新技術(shù)正在引發(fā)一場革命,人類將因此可以互相幫助。新技術(shù)正在創(chuàng)造一種可能,不僅是政府,還 包括大學(xué)、公司、小機(jī)構(gòu)、甚至個人,能夠發(fā)現(xiàn)問題所在、能夠找到解決辦法、能夠評估他們努力的效果,去改變那些馬歇爾六十年前就說到過的問題 —— 饑餓、貧 窮和絕望。
Members of the Harvard Family: Here in the Yard is one of the great collections of intellectual talent in the world.哈佛是一個大家庭。這個院子里在場的人們,是全世界最有智力的人類群體之一。
What for?
我們可以做些什么?
There is no question that the faculty, the alumni, the students, and the benefactors of Harvard have used their power to improve the lives of people here and around the world.But can we do more? Can Harvard dedicate its intellect to improving the lives of people who will never even hear its name?
毫無疑問,哈佛的老師、校友、學(xué)生和資助者,已經(jīng)用他們的能力改善了全世界各地人們的生活。但是,我們還能夠再做什么呢?有沒有可能,哈佛的人們可以將他們的智慧,用來幫助那些甚至從來沒有聽到過 “ 哈佛 ” 這個名字的人?
Let me make a request of the deans and the professors – the intellectual leaders here at Harvard: As you hire new faculty, award tenure, review curriculum, and determine degree requirements, please ask yourselves:lunwen001.cn provided
請允許我向各位院長和教授,提出一個請求 —— 你們是哈佛的智力領(lǐng)袖,當(dāng)你們雇用新的老師、授予終身教職、評估課程、決定學(xué)位頒發(fā)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的時候,請問你們自己如下的問題:
Should our best minds be dedicated to solving our biggest problems?
我們最優(yōu)秀的人才是否在致力于解決我們最大的問題?
Should Harvard encourage its faculty to take on the world’s worst inequities? Should Harvard students learn about the depth of global poverty … the prevalence of world hunger … the scarcity of clean water …the girls kept out of school … the children who die from diseases we can cure?
哈佛是否鼓勵她的老師去研究解決世界上最嚴(yán)重的不平等?哈佛的學(xué)生是否從全球那些極端的貧窮中學(xué)到了什么 …… 世界性的饑荒 …… 清潔的水資源的缺乏 …… 無法上學(xué)的女童 …… 死于非惡性疾病的兒童 …… 哈佛的學(xué)生有沒有從中學(xué)到東西?
Should the world’s most privileged people learn about the lives of the world’s least privileged?
那些世界上過著最優(yōu)越生活的人們,有沒有從那些最困難的人們身上學(xué)到東西?
These are not rhetorical questions – you will answer with your policies.這些問題并非語言上的修辭。你必須用自己的行動來回答它們。
My mother, who was filled with pride the day I was admitted here – never stopped pressing me to do more for others.A few days before my wedding, she hosted a bridal event, at which she read aloud a letter about marriage that she had written to Melinda.My mother was very ill with cancer at the time, but she saw one more opportunity to deliver her message, and at the close of the letter she said: From those to whom much is given, much is expected.lunwen001.cn provided
我的母親在我被哈佛大學(xué)錄取的那一天,曾經(jīng)感到非常驕傲。她從沒有停止督促我,去為他人做更多的事情。在我結(jié)婚的前幾天,她主持了一個新娘進(jìn)我家的 儀式。在這個儀式上,她高聲朗讀了一封關(guān)于婚姻的信,這是她寫給 Melinda 的。那時,我的母親已經(jīng)因?yàn)榘┌Y病入膏肓,但是她還是認(rèn)為這是又一個傳播她 的信念的機(jī)會。在那封信的結(jié)尾,她寫道: “ 對于那些接受了許多幫助的人們,他們還在期待更多的幫助?!?/p>
When you consider what those of us here in this Yard have been given – in talent, privilege, and opportunity – there is almost no limit to what the world has a right to expect from us.想一想吧,我們在這個院子里的這些人,被給予過什么 —— 天賦、特權(quán)、機(jī)遇 —— 那么可以這樣說,全世界的人們幾乎有無限的權(quán)力,期待我們做出貢獻(xiàn)。
In line with the promise of this age, I want to exhort each of the graduates here to take on an issue – a complex problem, a deep inequity, and become a specialist on it.If you make it the focus of your career, that would be phenomenal.But you don’t have to do that to make an impact.For a few hours every week, you can use the growing power of the Internet to get informed, find others with the same interests, see the barriers, and find ways to cut through them.lunwen001.cn provided
同這個時代的期望一樣,我也要向今天各位畢業(yè)的同學(xué)提出一個忠告:你們要選擇一個問題,一個復(fù)雜的問題,一個有關(guān)于人類深刻的不平等的問題,然后你 們要變成這個問題的專家。如果你們能夠使得這個問題成為你們職業(yè)的核心,那么你們就會非常杰出。但是,你們不必一定要去做那些大事。每個星期只用幾個小 時,你就可以通過互聯(lián)網(wǎng)得到信息,找到志同道合的朋友,發(fā)現(xiàn)困難所在,找到解決它們的途徑。
Don’t let complexity stop you.Be activists.Take on the big inequities.It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.不要讓這個世界的復(fù)雜性阻礙你前進(jìn)。要成為一個行動主義者。將解決人類的不平等視為己任。它將成為你生命中最重要的經(jīng)歷之一。
You graduates are coming of age in an amazing time.As you leave Harvard, you have technology that members of my class never had.You have awareness of global inequity, which we did not have.And with that awareness, you likely also have an informed conscience that will torment you if you abandon these people whose lives you could change with very little effort.You have more than we had;you must start sooner, and carry on longer.在座的各位畢業(yè)的同學(xué),你們所處的時代是一個神奇的時代。當(dāng)你們離開哈佛的時候,你們擁有的技術(shù),是我們那一屆學(xué)生所沒有的。你們已經(jīng)了解到了世界 上的不平等,我們那時還不知道這些。有了這樣的了解之后,要是你再棄那些你可以幫助的人們于不顧,就將受到良心的譴責(zé),只需一點(diǎn)小小的努力,你就可以改變 那些人們的生活。你們比我們擁有更大的能力;你們必須盡早開始,盡可能長時期堅持下去。
Knowing what you know, how could you not?
知道了你們所知道的一切,你們怎么可能不采取行動呢?
And I hope you will come back here to Harvard 30 years from now and reflect on what you have done with your talent and your energy.I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you have addressed the world’s deepest inequities … on how well you treated people a world away who have nothing in common with you but their humanity.我希望,30 年后你們還會再回到哈佛,想起你們用自己的天賦和能力所做出的一切。我希望,在那個時候,你們用來評價自己的標(biāo)準(zhǔn),不僅僅是你們的專業(yè)
成就,而包括你們?yōu)楦淖冞@個世界深刻的不平等所做出的努力,以及你們?nèi)绾紊拼切┻h(yuǎn)隔千山萬水、與你們毫不涉及的人們,你們與他們唯一的共同點(diǎn)就是同為人 類。
Good luck.最后,祝各位同學(xué)好運(yùn)。
第三篇:比爾蓋茨在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講稿(定稿)
比爾蓋茨在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講稿(英)
2011-06-19 00:47:16 標(biāo)簽:比爾蓋茨 休閑 演講 比爾蓋茨哈佛演講 生活
From:http:// President Bok, former President Rudenstine, incoming President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, members of the faculty, parents, and especially, the graduates: I've been waiting more than 30 years to say this: Dad, I always told you I'd come back and get my degree.I want to thank Harvard for this timely honor.I'll be changing my job next year...and it will be nice to finally have a college degree on my resume.I applaud the graduates today for taking a much more direct route to your degrees.For my part, I'm just happy that the Crimson has called me Harvard's most successful dropout.I guess that makes me valedictorian of my own special class...I did the best of everyone who failed.But I also want to be recognized as the guy who got Steve Ballmer to drop out of business school.I'm a bad influence.That's why I was invited to speak at your graduation.If I had spoken at your orientation, fewer of you might be here today.Harvard was just a phenomenal experience for me.Academic life was fascinating.I used to sit in on lots of classes I hadn't even signed up for.And dorm life was terrific.I lived up at Radcliffe, in Currier House.There were always lots of people in my dorm room late at night discussing things, because everyone knew I didn't worry about getting up in the morning.That's how I came to be the leader of the anti-social group.We clung to each other as a way of validating our rejection of all those social people.Radcilffe was a great place to live.There were more women up there, and most of the guys were science-math types.That combination offered me the best odds, if you know what I mean.This is where I learned the sad lesson that improving your odds doesn't guarantee success.One of my biggest memories of Harvard came in January 1975, when I made a call from Currier House to a company in Albuquerque that had begun making the world's first personal computer.I offered to sell them software.I worried that they would realize I was just a student in a dorm and hang up on me.Instead they said: We're not quite ready, come see us in a month, which was a good thing, because we hadn't written the software yet.From that moment, I worked day and night on this little extra credit projectt that marked the end of my college education and the beginning of a remarkable journey with microsoft.What I remember above all about Harvard was being in the midst of so much energy and Intelligence.It could be exhilarating, intimidating, sometimes even discouraging, but always challenging.It was an amazing privilegethe appalling disparities of health, and wealth, and opportunity that condemn millions of people to lives of despair.I learned a lot here at Harvard about new ideas in economics and politics.I got great exposure to the advances being made in the sciences.But humanity's greatest advances are not in its discoveriesreducing inequity is the highest human achievement.I left campus knowing little about the millions of young people cheated out of educational opportunities here in this country.And I knew nothing about the millions of people living in unspeakable poverty and disease in developing countries.It took me decades to find out.You graduates came to Harvard at a different time.You know more about the world's inequities than the classes that came before.In your years here, I hope you've had a chance to think about howwe can finally take on these inequities, and we can solve them.Imagine, just for the sake of discussion, that you had a few hours a week and a few dollars a month to donate to a causenone of them in the United States.We were shocked.We had just assumed that if millions of children were dying and they could be saved, the world would make it a priority to discover and deliver the medicines to save them.But is did not.For under a dollar, there were interventions that could save lives that just weren't being delivered.If you believe that every life has equal value, it's revolting to learn that some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not.We said to ourselves: This can't be true.But if it is true, it deserves to be the priority of our giving.So we began our work in the same way anyone here would begin it.We asked: How could the world let these children die? The answer is simple, and harsh.The market did not reward saving the lives of these children, and governments did not subsidize it.So the children died because their mothers and their fathers had no power in the market and no voice in the system.But you and I have both.We can make market forces work better for the poor if we can develop a more creative capitalismbecause people just...don't...care.I completely disagree.I believe we have more caring than we know what to do with.All of us here in this Yard, at one time or another, have seen human tragedies that broke our hearts, and yet we did nothingand millions of people dying is nothing new.So it stays in the background, where it's easier to ignore.But even when we do see it or read about it, it's difficult to keep our eyes on the problem.It's hard to look at suffering if the situation is so complex that we don't know how to help.And so we look away.If we can really see a problem, which is the first step, we come to the second step: cutting through the complexity to find a solution.Finding solutions is essential if we want to make the most of our caring.If we have clear and proven answers anytime an organization or individual asks How can I help?, then we get actionand that makes it hard for their caring to matter.Cutting through complexity to find a solution runs through four predictable stages: determine a goal, find the highest-leverage approach, discover the ideal technology for that approach, and in the meantime, make the smartest application of the technology that you already haveand the best prevention approach we have now is getting people to avoid risky behavior.Pursuing that goal starts the four-step cycle again.This is the pattern.The crucial thing is to never stop thinking and workingafter seeing the problem and finding an approachso people can feel what saving a life means to the families affected.I remember going to Davos some years back and sitting on a global health panel that was disscussing ways to save millions of lives.Millions!Think of the thrill of saving just one person's lifeever.So boring even I couldn't bear it.What made that experience especially striking was that I had just come from an event where we were introducing version 13 of some piece of software, and we had people jumping and shouting with excitement.I love getting people excited about softwareis a complex question.Still, I'm optimistic.Yes, inequity has been with us forever, but the new tools we have to cut through complexity have not been with us forever.They are newand that's why the future can be different from the past.The defining and ongoing innovations of this agegive us a chance we've never had before to end extreme proverty and end death from preventable disease.Sixty years ago, George Marshall came to this commencement and announced a plan to assist the nations of post-war Europe.He said: I think one difficulty is that the problem is one of such enormous complexity that the very mass of facts presented to the public by press and radio make it exceedingly difficult for the man in the street to reach a clear appraisement of the situation.It is virtually impossible at this distance to grasp at all the real significance of the situation.Thirty years after Marshall made his address, as my class graduated without me, technology was emerging that would make the world smaller, more open, more visible, less distant.The emergence of low-cost personal computers gave rise to a powerful network that has transformed opportunities for learning and communicating.The magical thing about this network is not just that it collapses distance and makes everyone your neighbor.It also dramatically increases the number of brilliant minds we can have working together on the same problemthe intellectual leaders here at Harvard: As you hire new faculty, award tenure, review curriculum, and determine degree requirements, please ask yourselves.Should our best minds be dedicated to solving our biggest problems? Should Harvard encourage its faculty to take on the world's inequities? Should Harvard students learn about the depth of global poverty...the prevalence of world hunger...the scarcity of clean water...the girls kept out of school...the children who die from diseases we can cure? Should the world's most privileged people learn about the lives of the world's least privileged? These are not rhetorical questionsnever stopped pressing me to do more for others.A few days before my wedding, she hosted a bridal event, at which she read aloud a letter about marriage that she had written to Melinda.My mother was very ill with cancer at the time, but she saw one more opportunity to deliver her message, and at the close of the letter she said: From those to whom much is given, much is expected.When you consider what those of us here in this Yard have been giventhere is almost no limit to what the world has a right to expect from us.
第四篇:David Souter在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講
David Souter在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講
5月27日是哈佛大學(xué)一年一度的畢業(yè)典禮。
今年的演講嘉賓,是聯(lián)邦最高法院退休法官David Souter。
我一看到他的演講稿,頭就大了。法官語言深奧,不容易一眼看懂意思,而且演講主題是如何理解《憲法》,趣味性不足。我很猶豫,是不是要把它翻譯出來。最后,還是決定翻譯。2007年,我譯了比爾·蓋茨,2008年譯了J.K.羅琳,2009年譯了朱棣文,我想把這個傳統(tǒng)保持下去。但是,今年的演講實(shí)在繁瑣乏味,我就譯了一個摘譯版。這樣既便于閱讀,也減輕了我的工作量。==================================== David Souter在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講(摘譯版)演說日期:2010年5月27日 譯者:阮一峰
原文網(wǎng)址:http://
【演講人介紹】
戴維·哈維特·蘇特(David Souter,1939年9月17日-),自1990年出任美國最高法院大法官,直至于2009年6月29日退休。他1961年畢業(yè)于哈佛學(xué)院,1966年畢業(yè)于哈佛法學(xué)院?!菊摹?/p>
我年輕時,曾經(jīng)遇到過一個1885級的哈佛學(xué)長。他告訴我,有一年夏天,他來到哈佛廣場,路上碰見一個應(yīng)屆畢業(yè)生。只見那個畢業(yè)生舉著文憑大喊:“上帝保佑,總算學(xué)完了”。
即使哈佛大學(xué)給我頒發(fā)榮譽(yù)博士學(xué)位,我也不敢沖著各位這樣喊。但是,校方希望我談?wù)勗谧罡叻ㄔ旱?9年經(jīng)歷,那么我接下來就以一個退休法官的身份,說說我對美國《憲法》、以及法官如何實(shí)施《憲法》的認(rèn)識。
現(xiàn)在,社會上有一種批評,認(rèn)為最高法院在創(chuàng)造法律,在做出一些《憲法》中找不到依據(jù)的裁決。我認(rèn)為,這種批評太片面,沒有理解憲法和最高法院判決的重點(diǎn)。
那些批評者似乎有一種印象,認(rèn)為《憲法》就是一個模板,公民和政府只要在《憲法》中找到特定的條款,就能認(rèn)定自己的權(quán)利受到憲法保護(hù)。根據(jù)這種認(rèn)識,判決憲法案件就成了一字一句機(jī)械地解讀《憲法》,以及對證據(jù)的客觀檢驗(yàn)。當(dāng)然,某些情況下,確實(shí)應(yīng)該一字一句地解讀《憲法》。比如,在座的畢業(yè)生同學(xué),你們不少人現(xiàn)在剛滿21歲,假定你們想去競選美國參議員的席位。對照一下《憲法》,你就會知道這個決定不會得到法院的認(rèn)可。因?yàn)椤稇椃ā访魑囊?guī)定,參議員必須年滿30歲。但是,法院遇到的案件,并不都是這么容易判斷,尤其是在最高法院這一級,《憲法》的“精確解讀”模式很難完全適用。
參議員必須年滿30歲,這種條款是一清二楚的。但是,《憲法》還有很多條款,故意寫成可以被開放式解讀,比如“正當(dāng)程序原則”、“平等保護(hù)原則”、“免于不合理搜查的權(quán)力”等等。這些條款必須根據(jù)不同的案件,更深入地解讀,形成不同的判例。長此以往,判例就成了新的原則,而《憲法》對這些原則并沒有提及。一般來說,《憲法》不能以機(jī)械方式解讀的原因有三個。首先,《憲法》使用的是概括性表達(dá)。其次,《憲法》中包括互相沖突的價值觀。最后,同樣的事實(shí)在不同的歷史背景中,有不一樣的含義。這些因素導(dǎo)致判決憲法案件的難度很大。下面,我舉兩個案例來說明這一點(diǎn)。第一個案例將會展示,《憲法》并不是一個簡單的合約。它同時保障了多種權(quán)利,這些權(quán)利有時會發(fā)生互相沖突,不可能同時實(shí)現(xiàn)。
你們中的許多人,可能還記得這個案例。1971年6月26日,一批五角大樓的機(jī)密文件泄露,《紐約時報》和《華盛頓》各自拿到了副本,準(zhǔn)備刊登。美國聯(lián)邦政府緊急上訴到最高法院,要求發(fā)布禁令,報社不得刊登這些文件。《憲法》明文保證言論自由,政府的這種上訴是對這個原則的挑戰(zhàn)。
政府的訴訟代理人是哈佛大學(xué)法學(xué)院院長Irwin Griswold,他當(dāng)時擔(dān)任司法部副部長。主持當(dāng)天庭審的是Black法官,他是羅斯福總統(tǒng)在新政時期任命的第一位法官。他們兩人對于《憲法第一修正案》激烈交鋒?!兜谝恍拚浮非宄懨鳎骸皣鴷坏妙C發(fā)任何法律,剝奪言論自由或出版自由”。雖然從文字上看,這一條只是針對國會,但是被理解成對美國政府和美國總統(tǒng)都有效。Black法官從字面上解讀了這個條款,認(rèn)為“不得頒發(fā)任何法律”就是不存在任何例外,對言論自由和出版自由的保障是絕對的。對于他來說,這一條與“參議員必須年滿30歲”的規(guī)定是一樣清晰的。
但是,Griswold院長不這樣認(rèn)為。他爭辯,如果某種出版物會對國家安全造成不可彌補(bǔ)的損害,發(fā)布禁令就是符合《憲法》精神的。他向法庭申明,如果這些文件被公開,美軍將出現(xiàn)更大的傷亡,危及越南戰(zhàn)爭的和談,以及交換戰(zhàn)俘的進(jìn)程,大大削弱政府在停戰(zhàn)談判中的籌碼。Black法官回答,如果根據(jù)是否危害國家安全,來判斷哪些東西可以出版,哪些東西不可以出版,那么法官就變成審查員了。Griswold院長說,為了國家安全,別無其他選擇。Black法官說,遵守《第一修正案》就是一個選擇。接下來,Griswold院長說了一段精彩的回復(fù):
“這個案件的關(guān)鍵是《第一修正案》。尊敬的法官大人,您的立場眾所周知,我也尊重這一點(diǎn)。您認(rèn)為顯而易見,'不得頒發(fā)任何法律'就是不得頒發(fā)任何法律。但是,我的理解并非如此,我希望自己可以說服法庭,采用我的觀點(diǎn)。正如Marshall大法官說過的,我們必須把《憲法》當(dāng)作一個整體解讀......” 最終,聯(lián)邦政府輸?shù)袅诉@場官司,那些文件還是刊登出來了。但是,Griswold院長的理由,卻比Black法官的理由更合理。就像他說的,“不得頒發(fā)任何法律”并不必然意味著不得頒發(fā)任何法律,因?yàn)椤兜谝恍拚浮分皇恰稇椃ā返囊粋€組成部分?!稇椃ā芳缺WC了言論自由,也授權(quán)美國政府保衛(wèi)國家安全,授予美國總統(tǒng)制訂外交政策和發(fā)布軍事命令的權(quán)力。
雖然Griswold院長沒能讓法庭接受他的要求,但是法庭確實(shí)意識到,某些時刻政府有權(quán)限制出版自由。之所以政府會輸?shù)暨@場官司,并不是因?yàn)椤安坏妙C發(fā)任何法律”是一條絕對的規(guī)定,不得有任何例外,而是因?yàn)榇蠖鄶?shù)法官認(rèn)為,政府沒有舉出足夠的可信事實(shí),證明禁令的必要性。Brennan法官說過,如果某份文件的出版,會導(dǎo)致諾曼底登陸失敗,或?qū)е潞藦棻?,那么最高法院可能會發(fā)布禁令。
所以,即使《第一修正案》這么明確的表達(dá),都不構(gòu)成對于絕對自由的保證。因?yàn)椤稇椃ā繁仨氉鳛橐粋€整體解讀,其他價值可能會與言論自由原則發(fā)生沖突。換言之,《憲法》同時保障了多種權(quán)利,卻沒有提出如何解決它們之間的沖突。所以,法官必須做出選擇?!稇椃ā敷w現(xiàn)了美國人民的意愿,我們既需要秩序和安全,也需要自由。當(dāng)兩種愿望沖突的時候,法官被迫決定,哪一個愿望更值得支持。他必須從整體上運(yùn)用法律?!拔褰谴髽俏募浮笨梢愿暾馗嬖V我們,法律是什么。
但是,這種法官的自行解讀是不是非法的呢?是不是超越了司法的權(quán)力?我不再說下去了,關(guān)于法官如何解讀《憲法》就說到這里。下面來看第二個案例。它不是關(guān)于《憲法》內(nèi)部的沖突,而是關(guān)于同一個事實(shí)可以根據(jù)《憲法》有不同的解釋。這個案例也很著名,各位大概還記得1954年Brown起訴美國教育部。最后,最高法院一直同意,公立學(xué)校中的種族隔離是違憲的,違反了《憲法》的“平等保護(hù)原則”。
這個案例結(jié)束了美國的種族隔離時代,開辟了人人平等的時代。但是,1896年還有一個類似的案例Plessy v.Ferguson,最高法院的裁決是,鐵路公司的“黑人專用”車廂是合乎憲法的,白人和黑人可以被隔離在不同的車廂。Plessy起訴說,這是對黑人的歧視;最高法院回答說,這只是黑人自己的想像??墒?0年后,最高法院卻改變了看法,認(rèn)為學(xué)校將黑人和白人區(qū)別對待,是不平等的。那些認(rèn)為《憲法》應(yīng)該被一成不變解讀的人,一定覺得1954年的判決是錯的。因?yàn)槊绹ㄍゲ豢赡茉?896年判決“種族隔離”制度違憲,而從1896年到1954年,《憲法》的相關(guān)條文一個字都沒變,所以1954年也不應(yīng)該判決“種族隔離”制度違憲。1896年的案例是關(guān)于鐵路車廂,1954年的案例是關(guān)于學(xué)校教育,本質(zhì)上不存在很大的差異。那么為什么僅僅因?yàn)榘l(fā)生在不同的年份,最高法院就做出了不同的判決呢?
原因是,1896年的時候,人們還沒有忘記奴隸制。對于那一代人來說,黑人和白人能夠坐在同一列火車上,就已經(jīng)算是進(jìn)步了。但是,1954年的人們沒有奴隸制的經(jīng)歷,不會把奴隸制度與種族隔離進(jìn)行比較,所以法官會在《憲法》中讀出前輩們沒有讀出的含義。這表明,判決與法官的經(jīng)歷有關(guān),取決于他們自己的判斷。1954年的法官是不是創(chuàng)造了法律,做出了一個《憲法》中沒有的結(jié)論?對同一件事做出不同的判決,是不是法官的個人意志在起作用?好了,關(guān)于法官對客觀事實(shí)的解讀,我就說到這里。
下面,我來做個總結(jié)?!稇椃ā繁粰C(jī)械地精確解讀,實(shí)際上是不可能的。一方面,《憲法》保障多種權(quán)利,沒有一個統(tǒng)一的原則,解決各種權(quán)利之間的沖突。另一方面,世界在變化,法官有自己的見解,不可能像機(jī)器人一樣,根據(jù)事實(shí),對照條文,做出一成不變的判決。
認(rèn)識到一點(diǎn),也許會令某些人失望,但是這恰恰反映了我們的愿望和信心,那就是可以找到一種方法,公平合理地解決沖突。人類渴望確定性,渴望一個沒有模棱兩可的世界,渴望有些東西保持永恒不變。但是,正如Holmes法官所說,確定性是一種幻覺,靜止不變不是我們的命運(yùn)。
作為法官,我們需要領(lǐng)會《憲法》起草者的精神,不僅僅依據(jù)《憲法》的字面意思,更要依據(jù)起草者這樣寫的理由。法官必須生活在這樣一種代代相傳的信任關(guān)系中,除此之外,我不知道還有其他方法,可以完成美國人民對于法官的期望。(完)
未完成的革命
Here is an enormous, an incalculable force...這是一股巨大的、難以預(yù)測的力量......let loose suddenly upon mankind;突然降臨在人世間;
exercising all sorts of influences, social, moral, and political;產(chǎn)生了各種各樣的影響,社會的、道德的、政治的;
precipitating upon us novel problems which demand immediate solutions;引發(fā)了許許多多急需解決的嶄新問題;
banishing the old, before the new is half matured to replace it;廢除了舊事物,但是新事物卻還不夠成熟,無法完全取而代之;
bringing the nations into close contact before yet the antipathies of race have begun to be eradicated;在種族對立還未開始消除前,就使全國各個族群發(fā)生了密切的交往;
giving us a history full of changing fortunes and rich in dramatic period.它給我們帶來了一個充滿變幻莫測的命運(yùn)和戲劇性插曲的歷史時代。Yet, with the curious hardness of a material age, 然而,在這個出奇冷酷的物質(zhì)時代,we rarely regard this new power otherwise than as a money-getting and time-saving machine...我們只把這種新興力量當(dāng)作賺錢和節(jié)省時間的工具,not many of those...who fondly believe they control it, ever stop to think of it as...the most tremendous and far-reaching engine of social change which has ever either blessed or cursed mankind....那些自以為控制了這種力量的人,很少會停下來想一想,這股力量是最強(qiáng)大和最深遠(yuǎn)的社會變革引擎,既能給人類帶來幸福,也能帶來災(zāi)禍。......Perhaps if the existing community would take now and then the trouble to pass in review the changes it has already witnessed, 如果現(xiàn)在的社會,愿意時不時地費(fèi)神回顧一下它所經(jīng)歷的變化,it would be less astounded at the revolutions which continually do and continually must flash before it;它可能就不會那么震驚于那些持續(xù)不斷發(fā)生、并且必然在它面前不斷閃現(xiàn)的革命。
perhaps also it might with more grace accept the inevitable, 它可能也會更通情達(dá)理地接受這不可避免的命運(yùn),and cease from the use-less attempts at making a wholly new world conform itself to the rules and theories of a bygone civilization.而不再徒勞地嘗試,建構(gòu)一個由陳規(guī)舊習(xí)主宰的全新世界,將自己禁錮在其中。(摘自Charles Adams《The Railway System》)
荒誕世界的生存方法
作者:Paul Graham
譯者:阮一峰
節(jié)選自 What You Can't Say
一、世界是荒誕的未來的某一天,世界上爆發(fā)了一場運(yùn)動,黃顏色被禁止了。
任何東西都不得涂成黃色,違者就是“黃色份子”(yellowist),以破壞社會穩(wěn)定論處。橙色可以容忍,但也很可疑。
有一天,你終于覺醒了,意識到錯的不是黃顏色,而是這個社會。如果公開這樣說,就會被打成“黃色份子”,無數(shù)正義人士義憤填膺,對你口誅筆伐。如果你以此作為人生目的,一定要為黃顏色平反昭雪,現(xiàn)在的局面可能正中你下懷。但是,如果你的興趣主要是別的事情,變成他人眼里的“黃色份子”,對你是極大的干擾。與笨蛋辯論,你也會變成笨蛋。
二、重要的事情
你要明白,自由思考比暢所欲言更重要。
如果你感到,一定要跟那些人辯個明白,絕不咽下這口氣,一定要把話說清楚,結(jié)果很可能是從此你再也無法自由理性地思考了。
這樣做不可取,更好的方法是在思想和言論之間,劃一條明確的界線。在心里無所不想,但是不一定要說出來。我就鼓勵自己,在心里默默思考那些最無法無天的想法。你的思想是一個地下組織,絕不要把那里發(fā)生的事情,一股腦說給外人聽。
每個時代都有忌諱,如果你觸犯它們,就算沒有坐牢,至少也會為自己惹來麻煩,干擾了正常生活。
三、投降主義?
我承認(rèn),這樣做看上去很怯懦。
每當(dāng)我看到,有人在媒體上胡說八道,內(nèi)心就有一個聲音在高喊:“好吧,你們這些混蛋,讓我們來說清楚?!笨墒菃栴}在于,社會是不理性的,各種各樣的忌諱多得數(shù)不清。如果口無遮攔,你就沒時間做正事了。為了與他人論戰(zhàn),你不得不把這當(dāng)成專職工作,變成一個語言學(xué)家。
你想這樣用光人生嗎?
四、對策
你的策略,簡單說,就是不贊同這個時代的任何一種歇斯底里,但是又不明確告訴別人,到底不贊同哪一種歇斯底里。
狂熱份子試圖引誘你說出真心話,但是你可以不回答。如果他們不放手,一定要你回答“到底是贊成,還是反對我們?”,你不妨以不變應(yīng)萬變“我既不反對也不贊成”。
不過,更好的回答是“我還沒想好?!惫鸫髮W(xué)校長Larry Summers被逼表態(tài)時,就是這樣說的。他后來解釋說“別想在我身上做石蕊試驗(yàn)。”
五、反擊(A)
但是,這不等于不反擊。
第一種反擊方法,就是逐步把辯論提升到一個抽象的層次。
假定總的來說,你反對言論審查制度。公開質(zhì)疑的時候,你一定要小心,不要提到具體的被審查的電影或者書籍。否則,對手就會一把抓住那部電影或那本書籍,聲稱你支持的其實(shí)不是言論自由,而是那些被審查的內(nèi)容。
你不要直接攻擊某個標(biāo)簽,而要攻擊它的“元標(biāo)簽”(meta-label)。所謂“元標(biāo)簽”,就是對某個標(biāo)簽的抽象描述。如果人們開始討論元標(biāo)簽,那么原來的標(biāo)簽反而不會受到注意了。舉例來說,“政治正確”(political correctness)就是一個“元標(biāo)簽”,是許多特定現(xiàn)象的總稱。這個詞現(xiàn)在被廣泛使用,其實(shí)這恰恰意味著“政治正確”的時代正在開始消亡,因?yàn)樗沟媚憧梢詮目傮w上攻擊這個現(xiàn)象,而不會受到指控,不會被說成支持某一種特定的“政治不正確”現(xiàn)象。
六、反擊(B)
第二種反擊方法,就是使用隱喻(metaphor)。
20世紀(jì)50年代,美國眾議院的“非美委員會”(Un-American Activities Committee)以遏制共產(chǎn)主義為名,大肆迫害文藝界和政治界的進(jìn)步人士。劇作家阿瑟·米勒(Arthur Miller)創(chuàng)作了戲劇《薩勒姆的女巫》(The Crucible),進(jìn)行反擊。
雖然在戲中,他一句也沒有提到“非美委員會”,但是觀眾一眼就可以看出,他在諷刺現(xiàn)實(shí),將搜捕共產(chǎn)主義間諜比喻為莫須有的捉女巫。“非美委員會”根本無法做出回應(yīng),你總不能為審判女巫辯護(hù)吧?阿瑟·米勒的隱喻是如此貼切,直到今天,“非美委員會”的行為還經(jīng)常被描述為“搜捕女巫”(witch-hunt)。
七、反擊(C)
所有反擊方法之中,最好的一種可能就是幽默了。
狂熱份子都有一個共同點(diǎn):缺乏幽默感。他們無法平靜地對待笑話,就像滿身笨重盔甲的騎士走進(jìn)了溜冰場,無所適從。
一個真實(shí)的例子就是,維多利亞女王時代的英國人講究宮廷禮儀,迂腐守舊,人們對這當(dāng)作笑話看待,結(jié)果它好像就真的被笑話擊垮了。它在當(dāng)代的化身“政治正確”,也將得到同樣的命運(yùn)。
(完)
第五篇:朱棣文在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講
朱棣文在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上的演講
朱棣文(Steven Chu,1948年2月28日-),美國物理學(xué)家,生于美國圣路易斯;華人血統(tǒng),祖籍中國江蘇太倉,曾獲得諾貝爾物理學(xué)獎(1997年)?,F(xiàn)任美國能源部部長。
1970年,獲羅徹斯特大學(xué)數(shù)學(xué)學(xué)士和物理學(xué)學(xué)士。1976年,獲加州大學(xué)伯克利分校物理學(xué)博士。
1987年,任斯坦福大學(xué)物理學(xué)教授,是該校第一位華裔教授。1993年,當(dāng)選美國國家科學(xué)院院士。1997年,獲諾貝爾物理學(xué)獎。
2004年,任勞倫斯·伯克利國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室主任,是首位掌管這個美國能源部下屬國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室的亞裔人士。
2009年,出任奧巴馬政府能源部長。
(一)、Madam President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, faculty, family, friends, and, most importantly, today’s graduates, 尊敬的Faust校長,哈佛集團(tuán)的各位成員,監(jiān)管理事會的各位理事,各位老師,各位家長,各位朋友,以及最重要的各位畢業(yè)生同學(xué),Thank you for letting me share this wonderful day with you.感謝你們,讓我有機(jī)會同你們一起分享這個美妙的日子。
I am not sure I can live up to the high standards of Harvard Commencement speakers.Last year, J.K.Rowling, the billionaire novelist, who started as a classics student, graced this podium.The year before, Bill Gates, the 1 mega-billionaire philanthropist and computer nerd stood here.Today, sadly, you have me.I am not wealthy, but at least I am a nerd.我不太肯定,自己夠得上哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮演講人這樣的殊榮。去年登上這個講臺的是,英國億萬身家的小說家J.K.Rowling女士,她最早是一個古典文學(xué)的學(xué)生。前年站在這里的是比爾·蓋茨先生,他是一個超級富翁、一個慈善家和電腦天才。今年很遺憾,你們的演講人是我,雖然我不是很有錢,但是至少我是一個書呆子。I am grateful to receive an honorary degree from Harvard, an honor that means more to me than you might care to imagine.You see, I was the academic black sheep of my family.My older brother has an M.D./Ph.D.from MIT and Harvard while my younger brother has a law degree from Harvard.When I was awarded a Nobel Prize, I thought my mother would be pleased.Not so.When I called her on the morning of the announcement, she replied, “That’s nice, but when are you going to visit me next.” Now, as the last brother with a degree from Harvard, maybe, at last, she will be satisfied.我很感激哈佛大學(xué)給我榮譽(yù)學(xué)位,這對我很重要,也許比你們會想到的還要重要。要知道,在學(xué)術(shù)上,我是我們家的異類。我的哥哥在麻省理工學(xué)院得到醫(yī)學(xué)博士,在哈佛大學(xué)得到哲學(xué)博士;我的弟弟在哈佛大學(xué)得到一個法律學(xué)位。我本人得到諾貝爾獎的時候,我想我的媽媽會高興。但是,我錯了。消息公布的那天早上,我給她打電話,她聽了只說:“這是好消息,不過我想知道,你下次什么時候來看我?”如今在我們兄弟當(dāng)中,我最終也拿到了哈佛學(xué)位,我想這一次,她會感到滿意。
Another difficulty with giving a Harvard commencement address is that some of you may disapprove of the fact that I have borrowed material from previous speeches.I ask that you forgive me for two reasons.在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上發(fā)表演說,還有一個難處,那就是你們中有些人可能有意見,不喜歡我重復(fù)前人演講中說過的話。我要求你們諒解我,因?yàn)閮蓚€理由。
First, in order to have impact, it is important to deliver the same message more than once.In science, it is important to be the first person to make 2 a discovery, but it is even more important to be the last person to make that discovery.首先,為了產(chǎn)生影響力,很重要的方法就是重復(fù)傳遞同樣的信息。在科學(xué)中,第一個發(fā)現(xiàn)者是重要的,但是在得到公認(rèn)前,最后一個做出這個發(fā)現(xiàn)的人也許更重要。Second, authors who borrow from others are following in the footsteps of the best.Ralph Waldo Emerson, who graduated from Harvard at the age of 18, noted “All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.” Picasso declared “Good artists borrow.Great artists steal.” Why should commencement speakers be held to a higher standard? 其次,一個借鑒他人的作者,正走在一條前人開辟的最佳道路上。哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)生、詩人愛默生曾經(jīng)寫下:“我最好的一些思想,都是從古人那里偷來的?!碑嫾耶吋铀餍Q“優(yōu)秀的藝術(shù)家借鑒,偉大的藝術(shù)家偷竊?!蹦敲礊槭裁串厴I(yè)典禮的演說者,就不適用同樣的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)呢?
I also want to point out the irony of speaking to graduates of an institution that would have rejected me, had I the chutzpah to apply.I am married to “Dean Jean,” the former dean of admissions at Stanford.She assures me that she would have rejected me, if given the chance.When I showed her a draft of this speech, she objected strongly to my use of the word “rejected.” She never rejected applicants;her letters stated that “we are unable to offer you admission.” I have difficulty understanding the difference.After all, deans of admissions of highly selective schools are in reality, “deans of rejection.” Clearly, I have a lot to learn about marketing.我還要指出一點(diǎn),向哈佛畢業(yè)生發(fā)表演說,對我來說是有諷刺意味的,因?yàn)槿绻?dāng)年我斗膽向哈佛大學(xué)遞交入學(xué)申請,一定會被拒絕。我的妻子Jean當(dāng)過斯坦福大學(xué)的招生主任,她向我保證,如果當(dāng)年我申請斯坦福大學(xué),她會拒絕我。我把這篇演講的草稿給她過目,她強(qiáng)烈反對我使用“拒絕”這個詞,她從來不拒絕任何申請者。在拒絕信中,她總是寫:“我們無法提供你入學(xué)機(jī)會?!蔽曳植磺鍍烧叩降子泻尾顒e。不過,那些大熱門學(xué)校的招生主任總是很現(xiàn)實(shí)的,堪稱“拒絕他人的主任”。很顯然,我需要好好學(xué)學(xué)怎么來推銷自己。
(二)、My address will follow the classical sonata form of commencement addresses.The first movement, just presented, were light-hearted remarks.This next movement consists of unsolicited advice, which is rarely valued, seldom remembered, never followed.As Oscar Wilde said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on.It is never of any use to oneself.” So, here comes the advice.First, every time you celebrate an achievement, be thankful to those who made it possible.Thank your parents and friends who supported you, thank your professors who were inspirational, and especially thank the other professors whose less-than-brilliant lectures forced you to teach yourself.Going forward, the ability to teach yourself is the hallmark of a great liberal arts education and will be the key to your success.To your fellow students who have added immeasurably to your education during those late night discussions, hug them.Also, of course, thank Harvard.Should you forget, there’s an alumni association to remind you.Second, in your future life, cultivate a generous spirit.In all negotiations, don’t bargain for the last, little advantage.Leave the change on the table.In your collaborations, always remember that “credit” is not a conserved quantity.In a successful collaboration, everybody gets 90 percent of the credit.畢業(yè)典禮演講都遵循古典奏鳴曲的結(jié)構(gòu),我的演講也不例外。剛才是第一樂章——輕快的閑談。接下來的第二樂章是送上門的忠告。這樣的忠告很少有價值,幾乎注定被忘記,永遠(yuǎn)不會被實(shí)踐。但是,就像王爾德說的:“對于忠告,你所能做的,就是把它送給別人,因?yàn)樗鼘δ銢]有任何用處?!彼?,下面就是我的忠告。第一,取得成就的時候,不要忘記前人。要感謝你的父母和支持你的朋友,要感謝那些啟發(fā)過你的教授,尤其要感謝那些上不好課的教授,因?yàn)樗麄兤仁鼓阕詫W(xué)。從整體看,自學(xué)能力是優(yōu)秀的文科教育中必不可少的,將成為你成功的關(guān)鍵。你還要去擁抱你的同學(xué),感謝他們同你進(jìn)行過的許多次徹夜長談,這為你的教育帶來了無法衡量的價值。當(dāng)然,你還要感謝哈佛大學(xué)。不過即使你忘了這一點(diǎn),校友會也會來提醒你。第二,在你們未來的人生中,做一個慷慨大方的人。在任何談判中,都把最后一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)利益留給對方。不要把桌上的錢都拿走。在合作中,不要把榮譽(yù)留給自己。成功合作的任何一方,都應(yīng)獲得全部榮譽(yù)的90%。
Jimmy Stewart, as Elwood P.Dowd in the movie “Harvey” got it exactly right.He said: “Years ago my mother used to say to me, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be ? she always used to call me Elwood ? in this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’” Well, for years I was smart....I recommend pleasant.You may quote me on that.電影《Harvey》中,Jimmy Stewart扮演的角色Elwood P.Dowd,就完全理解這一點(diǎn)。他說:“多年前,母親曾經(jīng)對我說,‘Elwood,活在這個世界上,你要么做一個聰明人,要么做一個好人。’”我做聰明人,已經(jīng)做了好多年了。??但是,我推薦你們做好人。你們可以引用我這句話。
My third piece of advice is as follows: As you begin this new stage of your lives, follow your passion.If you don’t have a passion, don’t be satisfied until you find one.Life is too short to go through it without caring deeply about something.When I was your age, I was incredibly single-minded in my goal to be a physicist.After college, I spent eight years as a graduate student and postdoc at Berkeley, and then nine years at Bell Labs.During that my time, my central focus and professional joy was physics.我的第三個忠告是,當(dāng)你開始生活的新階段時,請跟隨你的愛好。如果你沒有愛好,就去找,找不到就不罷休。生命太短暫,所以不能空手走過,你必須對某樣?xùn)|西傾注你的深情。我在你們這個年齡,是超級的一根筋,我的目標(biāo)就是非成為物理學(xué)家不可。本科畢業(yè)后,我在加州大學(xué)伯克利分校又待了8年,讀完了研究生,做完了博士后,然后去貝爾實(shí)驗(yàn)室待了9年。在這些年中,我關(guān)注的中心和職業(yè)上的全部樂趣,都來自物理學(xué)。
Here is my final piece of advice.Pursuing a personal passion is important, but it should not be your only goal.When you are old and gray, and look back on your life, you will want to be proud of what you have done.The source of that pride won’t be the things you have acquired or the recognition you have received.It will be the lives you have touched and the difference you have made.5 我還有最后一個忠告,就是說興趣愛好固然重要,但是你不應(yīng)該只考慮興趣愛好。當(dāng)你白發(fā)蒼蒼、垂垂老矣、回首人生時,你需要為自己做過的事感到自豪。物質(zhì)生活和你實(shí)現(xiàn)的占有欲,都不會產(chǎn)生自豪。只有那些受你影響、被你改變過的人和事,才會讓你產(chǎn)生自豪。
After nine years at Bell labs, I decided to leave that warm, cozy ivory tower for what I considered to be the “real world,” a university.Bell Labs, to quote what was said about Mary Poppins, was “practically perfect in every way,” but I wanted to leave behind something more than scientific articles.I wanted to teach and give birth to my own set of scientific children.在貝爾實(shí)驗(yàn)室待了9年后,我決定離開這個溫暖舒適的象牙塔,走進(jìn)我眼中的“真實(shí)世界”——大學(xué)。我對貝爾實(shí)驗(yàn)室的看法,可以引用Mary Poppins的話,“實(shí)際上十全十美”。但是,我想離開那種僅僅是科學(xué)論文的生活。我要去教書,培育我自己在科學(xué)上的后代。
Ted Geballe, a friend and distinguished colleague of mine at Stanford, who also went from Berkeley to Bell Labs to Stanford years earlier, described our motives best: 我在斯坦福大學(xué)有一個好友兼杰出同事Ted Geballe。他也是從伯克利分校去了貝爾實(shí)驗(yàn)室,幾年前又離開貝爾實(shí)驗(yàn)室去了斯坦福大學(xué)。他對我們的動機(jī)做出了最佳描述: “The best part of working at a university is the students.They come in fresh, enthusiastic, open to ideas, unscarred by the battles of life.They don't realize it, but they're the recipients of the best our society can offer.If a mind is ever free to be creative, that's the time.They come in believing textbooks are authoritative, but eventually they figure out that textbooks and professors don't know everything, and then they start to think on their own.Then, I begin learning from them.”
“在大學(xué)工作,最大的優(yōu)點(diǎn)就是學(xué)生。他們生機(jī)勃勃,充滿熱情,思想自由,還沒被生活的重壓改變。雖然他們自己沒有意識到,但是他們是這個社會中你能找到的最佳受眾。如果生命中只有一段時間是思想自由和充滿創(chuàng)造力,那么那段時間就是你在讀 大學(xué)。進(jìn)校時,學(xué)生們對課本上的一字一句毫不懷疑,漸漸地,他們發(fā)現(xiàn)課本和教授并不是無所不知的,于是他們開始獨(dú)立思考。從那時起,就是我開始向他們學(xué)習(xí)了?!?My students, post doctoral fellows, and the young researchers who worked with me at Bell Labs, Stanford, and Berkeley have been extraordinary.Over 30 former group members are now professors, many at the best research institutions in the world, including Harvard.I have learned much from them.Even now, in rare moments on weekends, the remaining members of my biophysics group meet with me in the ether world of cyberspace.我教過的學(xué)生、帶過的博士后、合作過的年輕同事,都非常優(yōu)秀。他們中有30多人,現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是教授了。他們所在的研究機(jī)構(gòu)有不少是全世界第一流的,其中就包括哈佛大學(xué)。我從他們身上學(xué)到了很多東西。即使現(xiàn)在,我偶爾還會周末上網(wǎng),向現(xiàn)在還從事生物物理學(xué)研究的學(xué)生請教。
(三)、I began teaching with the idea of giving back;I received more than I gave.This brings me to the final movement of this speech.It begins with a story about an extraordinary scientific discovery and a new dilemma that it poses.It’s a call to arms and about making a difference.我懷著回報社會的想法,開始了教學(xué)生涯。我的一生中,得到的多于我付出的,所以我要回報社會。這就引出了這次演講的最后一個樂章。首先我要講一個了不起的科學(xué)發(fā)現(xiàn),以及由此帶來的新挑戰(zhàn)。它是一個戰(zhàn)斗的號令,到了做出改變的時候了。In the last several decades, our climate has been changing.Climate change is not new: the Earth went through six ice ages in the past 600,000 years.However, recent measurements show that the climate has begun to change rapidly.The size of the North Polar Ice Cap in the month of September is only half the size it was a mere 50 years ago.The sea level which been rising since direct measurements began in 1870 at a rate that is now five times faster than it was at the beginning of recorded measurements.Here’s the remarkable scientific discovery.For the first time in human history, science is now making predictions of how our actions will affect the world 50 and 100 years from now.These changes are due to an increase in carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.The Earth has warmed up by roughly 0.8 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the Revolution.There is already approximately a 1 degree rise built into the system, even if we stop all greenhouse gas emissions today.Why? It will take decades to warm up the deep oceans before the temperature reaches a new equilibrium.過去幾十年中,我們的氣候一直在發(fā)生變化。氣候變化并不是現(xiàn)在才有的,過去60萬年中就發(fā)生了6次冰河期。但是,現(xiàn)在的測量表明氣候變化加速了。北極冰蓋在9月份的大小,只相當(dāng)于50年前的一半。1870年起,人們開始測量海平面上升的速度,現(xiàn)在的速度是那時的5倍。一個重大的科學(xué)發(fā)現(xiàn)就這樣產(chǎn)生了??茖W(xué)第一次在人類歷史上,預(yù)測出我們的行為對50~100年后的世界有何影響。這些變化的原因是,從工業(yè)革命開始,人類排放到大氣中的二氧化碳增加了。這使得地球的平均氣溫上升了0.8攝氏度。即使我們立刻停止所有溫室氣體的排放,氣溫仍然將比過去上升大約1度。因?yàn)樵跉鉁剡_(dá)到均衡前,海水溫度的上升將持續(xù)幾十年。
If the world continues on a business-as-usual path, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that there is a fifty-fifty chance the temperature will exceed 5 degrees by the end of this century.This increase may not sound like much, but let me remind you that during the last ice age, the world was only 6 degrees colder.During this time, most of Canada and the United States down to Ohio and Pennsylvania were covered year round by a glacier.A world 5 degrees warmer will be very different.The change will be so rapid that many species, including Humans, will have a hard time adapting.I’ve been told for example, that, in a much warmer world, insects were bigger.I wonder if this thing buzzing around is a precursor.如果全世界保持現(xiàn)在的經(jīng)濟(jì)模式不變,聯(lián)合國政府間氣候變化專門委員會(IPCC)預(yù)測,本世紀(jì)末將有50%的可能,氣溫至少上升5度。這聽起來好像不多,但是讓我來提醒你,上一次的冰河期,地球的氣溫也僅僅只下降了6度。那時,俄亥俄州和費(fèi)城以下的大部分美國和加拿大的土地,都終年被冰川覆蓋。氣溫上升5度的地球,將是一個非常不同的地球。由于變化來得太快,包括人類在內(nèi)的許多生物,都將很難適應(yīng)。比如,有人告訴我,在更溫暖的環(huán)境中,昆蟲的個頭將變大。我不知道現(xiàn)在身旁嗡嗡叫的這只大蒼蠅,是不是就是前兆。We also face the specter of nonlinear “tipping points” that may cause much more severe changes.An example of a tipping point is the thawing of the permafrost.The permafrost contains immense amounts of frozen organic matter that have been accumulating for millennia.If the soil melts, microbes will spring to life and cause this debris to rot.The difference in biological activity below freezing and above freezing is something we are all familiar with.Frozen food remains edible for a very long time in the freezer, but once thawed, it spoils quickly.How much methane and carbon dioxide might be released from the rotting permafrost? If even a fraction of the carbon is released, it could be greater than all the greenhouse gases we have released to since the beginning of the industrial revolution.Once started, a runaway effect could occur.我們還面臨另一個幽靈,那就是非線性的“氣候引爆點(diǎn)”,這會帶來許多嚴(yán)重得多的變化?!皻夂蛞c(diǎn)”的一個例子就是永久凍土層的融化。永久凍土層經(jīng)過千萬年的累積形成,其中包含了巨量的凍僵的有機(jī)物。如果凍土融化,微生物就將廣泛繁殖,使得凍土層中的有機(jī)物快速腐爛。冷凍后的生物和冷凍前的生物,它們在生物學(xué)特性上的差異,我們都很熟悉。在冷庫中,冷凍食品在經(jīng)過長時間保存后,依然可以食用。但是,一旦解凍,食品很快就腐爛了。一個腐爛的永久凍土層,將釋放出多少甲烷和二氧化碳?即使只有一部分的碳被釋放出來,可能也比我們從工業(yè)革命開始釋放出來的所有溫室氣體還要多。這種事情一旦發(fā)生,局勢就失控了。
The climate problem is the unintended consequence of our success.We depend on fossil energy to keep our homes warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and lit at night;we use it to travel across town and across continents.Energy is a fundamental reason for the prosperity we enjoy, and we will not surrender this prosperity.The United States has 3 percent of the world population, and yet, we consume 25 percent of the energy.By contrast, there are 1.6 billion people who don’t have access to electricity.Hundreds of millions of people still cook with twigs or dung.The life we enjoy may not be within the reach of the developing world, but it is within sight, and they want what we have.9 氣候問題是我們的經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展在無意中帶來的后果。我們太依賴化石能源,冬天取暖,夏天制冷,夜間照明,長途旅行,環(huán)球觀光。能源是經(jīng)濟(jì)繁榮的基礎(chǔ),我們不可能放棄經(jīng)濟(jì)繁榮。美國人口占全世界的3%,但是我們消耗全世界25%的能源。與此形成對照,全世界還有16億人沒有電,數(shù)億人依靠燃燒樹枝和動物糞便來煮飯。發(fā)展中國家的人民享受不到我們的生活,但是他們都看在眼里,他們渴望擁有我們擁有的東西。Here is the dilemma.How much are we willing to invest, as a world society, to mitigate the consequences of climate change that will not be realized for at least 100 years? Deeply rooted in all cultures, is the notion of generational responsibility.Parents work hard so that their children will have a better life.Climate change will affect the entire world, but our natural focus is on the welfare of our immediate families.Can we, as a world society, meet our responsibility to future generations? 這就是新的挑戰(zhàn)。全世界作為一個整體,我們到底愿意付出多少,來緩和氣候變化?這種變化在100年前,根本沒人想到過。代際責(zé)任深深植根于所有文化中。家長努力工作,為了讓他們的孩子有更好的生活。氣候變化將影響整個世界,但是我們的天性使得我們只關(guān)心個人家庭的福利。我們能不能把全世界看作一個整體?能不能為未來的人們承擔(dān)起責(zé)任?
While I am worried, I am hopeful we will solve this problem.I became the director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in part because I wanted to enlist some of the best scientific minds to help battle against climate change.I was there only four and a half years, the shortest serving director in the 78-year history of the Lab, but when I left, a number of very exciting energy institutes at the Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley had been established.雖然我憂心忡忡,但是還是對未來抱樂觀態(tài)度,這個問題將會得到解決。我同意出任勞倫斯·伯克利國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室主任,部分原因是我想招募一些世界上最好的科學(xué)家,來研究氣候變化的對策。我在那里干了4年半,是這個實(shí)驗(yàn)室78年的歷史中,任期最短的主任,但是當(dāng)我離任時,在伯克利實(shí)驗(yàn)室和伯克利分校,一些非常激動人心的能源研究機(jī)構(gòu)已經(jīng)建立起來了。
I am extremely privileged to be part of the Obama administration.If there ever was a time to help steer America and the world towards a path of sustainable energy, now is the time.The message the President is delivering is not one of doom and gloom, but of optimism and opportunity.I share this optimism.The task ahead is daunting, but we can and will succeed.能夠成為奧巴馬施政團(tuán)隊(duì)的一員,我感到極其榮幸。如果有一個時機(jī),可以引導(dǎo)美國和全世界走上可持續(xù)能源的道路,那么這個時機(jī)就是現(xiàn)在??偨y(tǒng)已經(jīng)發(fā)出信息,未來并非在劫難逃,而是樂觀的,我們依然有機(jī)會。我也抱有這種樂觀主義。我們面前的任務(wù)令人生畏,但是我們能夠并且將會成功。
We know some of the answers already.There are immediate and significant savings in energy efficiency and conservation.Energy efficiency is not just low-hanging fruit;it is fruit lying on the ground.For example, we have the potential to make buildings 80 percent more efficient with investments that will pay for themselves in less than 15 years.Buildings consume 40 percent of the energy we use, and a transition to energy efficient buildings will cut our carbon emissions by one-third.(四)、我們已經(jīng)有了一些答案,可以立竿見影地節(jié)約能源和提高能源使用效率。它們不是掛在枝頭的水果,而是已經(jīng)成熟掉在地上了,就看我們愿不愿意撿起來。比如,我們有辦法將樓宇的耗電減少80%,增加的投資在15年內(nèi)就可以收回來。樓宇的耗電占我們能源消費(fèi)的40%,節(jié)能樓宇的推廣將使我們二氧化碳的釋放減少三分之一。We are revving up the remarkable American innovation machine that will be the basis of a new American prosperity.We will invent much improved methods to harness the sun, the wind, nuclear power, and capture and sequester the carbon dioxide emitted from our power plants.Advanced bio-fuels and the electrification of personal vehicles make us less dependent on foreign oil.我們正在加速美國這座巨大的創(chuàng)新機(jī)器,這將是下一次美國大繁榮的基礎(chǔ)。我們將大量投資有效利用太陽能、風(fēng)能、核能的新方法,大量投資能夠捕獲和隔離電廠廢氣中的二氧化碳的方法。先進(jìn)的生物燃料和電力汽車將使得我們不再那么依賴外國的石油。In the coming decades, we will almost certainly face higher oil prices and be in a carbon-constrained economy.We have the opportunity to lead in development of a new, industrial revolution.The great hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, when asked, how he positions himself on the ice, he replied,“ I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been.” America should do the same.在未來的幾十年中,我們幾乎肯定會面對更高的油價和更嚴(yán)厲的二氧化碳排放政策。這是一場新的工業(yè)革命,美國有機(jī)會充當(dāng)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者。偉大的冰球選手Wayne Gretzky被問到,他如何在冰上跑位,回答說:“我滑向球下一步的位置,而不是它現(xiàn)在的位置?!泵绹矐?yīng)該這樣做。
The Obama administration is laying a new foundation for a prosperous and sustainable energy future, but we don’t have all of the answers.That’s where you come in.In this address, I am asking you, the Harvard graduates, to join us.As our future intellectual leaders, take the time to learn more about what’s at stake, and then act on that knowledge.As future scientists and engineers, I ask you to give us better technology solutions.As future economists and political scientists, I ask you to create better policy options.As future business leaders, I ask that you make sustainability an integral part of your business.奧巴馬政府正在為美國的繁榮和可持續(xù)能源,打下新的基礎(chǔ)。但是我們還有很多不知道的地方。這就需要你們的參與。在本次演講中,我請求在座各位哈佛畢業(yè)生加入我們。你們是我們未來的智力領(lǐng)袖,請花時間加深理解目前的危險局勢,然后采取相應(yīng)的行動。你們是未來的科學(xué)家和工程師,我要求你們給我們更好的技術(shù)方案。你們是未來的經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家和政治學(xué)家,我要求你們創(chuàng)造更好的政策選擇。你們是未來的企業(yè)家,我要求你們將可持續(xù)發(fā)展作為你們業(yè)務(wù)中不可分割的一部分。
Finally, as humanists, I ask that you speak to our common humanity.One of the cruelest ironies about climate change is that the ones who will be hurt the most are the most innocent: the worlds poorest and those yet to be born.12 最后,你們是人道主義者,我要求你們?yōu)榱巳说乐髁x說話。氣候變化帶來的最殘酷的諷刺之一,就是最受傷害的人,恰恰就是最無辜的人——那些世界上最窮的人們和那些還沒有出生的人。
The coda to this last movement is borrowed from two humanists.這個最后樂章的完結(jié)部是引用兩個人道主義者的話。
The first quote is from Martin Luther King.He spoke on ending the war in Vietnam in 1967, but his message seems so fitting for today’s climate crisis: 第一段引語來自馬丁·路德·金。這是1967年他對越南戰(zhàn)爭結(jié)束的評論,但是看上去非常適合用來評論今天的氣候危機(jī)。
“This call for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class, and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind.This oft misunderstood, this oft misinterpreted concept, so readily dismissed by the Nietzsches of the world as a weak and cowardly force, has now become an absolute necessity for the survival of man ? We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today.We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late.” “我呼吁全世界的人們團(tuán)結(jié)一心,拋棄種族、膚色、階級、國籍的隔閡;我呼吁包羅一切、無條件的對全人類的愛。你會因此遭受誤解和誤讀,信奉尼采哲學(xué)的世人會認(rèn)定你是一個軟弱和膽怯的懦夫。但是,這是人類存在下去的絕對必需。??我的朋友,眼前的事實(shí)就是,明天就是今天。此刻,我們面臨最緊急的情況。在變幻莫測的生活和歷史之中,有一樣?xùn)|西叫做悔之晚矣?!?/p>
The final message is from William Faulkner.On December 10th, 1950, his Nobel Prize banquet speech was about the role of humanists in a world facing potential nuclear holocaust.第二段引語來自威廉·??思{。1950年12月10月,他在諾貝爾獎獲獎晚宴上發(fā)表演說,談到了世界在核戰(zhàn)爭的陰影之下,人道主義者應(yīng)該扮演什么樣的角色?!癐 believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things.It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.”
“我相信人類不會僅僅存在,他還將勝利。人類是不朽的,這不是因?yàn)槿f物當(dāng)中僅僅他擁有發(fā)言權(quán),而是因?yàn)樗幸粋€靈魂,一種有同情心、犧牲精神和忍耐力的精神。詩人、作家的責(zé)任就是書寫這種精神。他們有權(quán)力升華人類的心靈,使人類回憶起過去曾經(jīng)使他無比光榮的東西——勇氣、榮譽(yù)、希望、自尊、同情、憐憫和犧牲?!?Graduates, you have an extraordinary role to play in our future.As you pursue your private passions, I hope you will also develop a passion and a voice to help the world in ways both large and small.Nothing will give you greater satisfaction.各位同學(xué),你們在我們的未來中扮演舉足輕重的角色。當(dāng)你們追求個人的志向時,我希望你們也會發(fā)揚(yáng)奉獻(xiàn)精神,積極發(fā)聲,在大大小小各個方面幫助改進(jìn)這個世界。這會給你們帶來最大的滿足感。
Please accept my warmest congratulations.May you prosper, may you help preserve and save our planet for your children, and all future children of the world.最后,請接受我最熱烈的祝賀。希望你們成功,也希望你們保護(hù)和拯救我們這個星球,為了你們的孩子,以及未來所有的孩子。