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Published May 13, 2020

A Hidden Brain Commencement Address

Shankar Vedantam offers a poignant commencement address reflecting on adapting to life's unexpected changes, using personal stories to encourage graduates to embrace the disruptions of the pandemic as opportunities for self-discovery, growth, and the creation of new perspectives and routines.
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Episode Highlights

  • Personal Stories

    shares the poignant story of Maya Shankar, whose life was dramatically altered by an unexpected injury. Her journey from aspiring violinist to cognitive scientist exemplifies resilience and adaptation in the face of unforeseen challenges. Shankar highlights how Maya's discovery of a new passion for the human mind led her to a Rhodes scholarship and a role in the Obama White House 1.

    When chaos strikes, we all become tourists in our own lives. We start to see with fresh eyes.

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    This narrative serves as a reminder that life's disruptions can open doors to new opportunities and self-discovery 2.

       

    New Opportunities

    Periods of chaos and disruption, like the current pandemic, can lead to unexpected self-discovery and new opportunities. draws parallels between Maya's story and a London transit strike, where many commuters found better routines during the disruption 2.

    Like those London commuters, you are grappling with a change to the normal rhythms and routines of life.

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    He encourages graduates to view the current challenges as a chance to reassess their paths and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead 2.

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