For anyone who enjoys student!Viggo...hee!

[shrinetolust]

Comments

[andolinn]

I've always felt that Viggo would make a good friend and he only confirmed that with his speech. I loved the part about him not wearing a cap and gown as a protest against sweatshops and being the only one, because everyone else chickened out. That would have been me; if I said I would do something, I would do it.

And I didn't think it was that overtly political. I think that asking graduating seniors to continue to ask questions and participate in a political process that desperately needs for people to pay attention is a good thing. The part about ending up governed by your inferiors was brilliant. But then I kind of think along the same lines as Viggo on this...

Thanks for posting the pic - politics aside, Viggo is easy viewing.

[shrinetolust]

I should have clarified...it was only at the end when he went into all the stats about health care...it felt like he was starting to push a certain agenda. And not that he was wrong with what he said. I know he was trying to be specific rather than just vaguely telling people to do "something", so I credit him for that. I just felt like, for something that was supposed to inspire people looking at their future, it was sort of a negative way to go, you know? Like "Welcome to the Crappy world. You'd better fix it!" But I suppose maybe this is why I personally have always shied away from politics in general

[andolinn]

The stats were concrete. Whether they were positive or negative, perhaps depends on whether you believe you can change the world. I think what he was getting at is that these kids need to focus on changing the world or we're in trouble. Because if they follow the current trend of caring only about their own lives and possessions, we're in big trouble. (My opinion, but possibly shared by Viggo

[shrinetolust]

Well, I definitely think a lot of people of all ages feel you *can't* change the world these days. I mean, I know every time my grandmother talks about Iraq she says "Where are all the protests? Why isn't anyone saying anything?" And then I tell her that there were protests, worldwide, and that people ARE saying things. And it doesn't do any good. The president doesn't *have* to listen to protesters. We vote but the electoral college decides who wins. Etc. Not that this means people should give up, of course, but there really is a lot that is disheartening, that's for sure. So while there is a lot of ego-centric behavior, of course, there is also a sense of hopelessness. I mean, I can't even get a clerk in a store to pay attention to me or provide any customer service, so it's hard to imagine I have any power in a broader sense. But this really supports what Viggo is saying--if every single person stood up and complained, rather than just me, maybe change *could* be effected

[philomel]

The transcript post seems to be locked. :(

[andolinn]

Try here: http://nikkie222.livejournal.com/417.html

[nutmeg3]

Thank you for posting the link. What a thoughtful, intelligent and self-effacing (like the man himself) speech.

[andolinn]

You're welcome. It was a nice speech. It's hard to know whether to love Viggo more for being a great human being or a handsome, hunky actor who gave us a marvelous Aragorn.

[sairalinde]

awww would love to read the transcript but it's flocked. :(

[andolinn]

Try here: http://nikkie222.livejournal.com/417.html

[shrinetolust]

Terribly sorry, I can never seem to remember that people lock up their whole LJs! I'm glad Andolinn gave you the link, and I've fixed the post now as well.

[nutmeg3]

Oooh, I think I have a crush on Professor Viggo. *g* And the transcript is locked. Do you think she'd mind if you cut and pasted it into your lj for the rest of us?

[shrinetolust]

Ack. I feel like such a boob. I only ever think of personal or volatile stuff being locked up, you know? I always forget that people lock up their whole LJs. *I* can see it, so I figure everyone else can! *smacks forehead* Terribly sorry! I see you got the link above, and I've fixed the post now! Many apologies!

[fearandloathing]

Can we get the transcript posted as a comment or something?

[oceansecrets2]

The text is posted at the St. Lawrence website -
http://www.stlawu.edu/commence/mortensen_speech.html

[shrinetolust]

Thank you very much for the link; I've edited the post! xoxo

[shrinetolust]

So terribly sorry! It figures the one time I leave after posting something it's when I've screwed it up! I never remember that peeps lock up their whole LJs...GAH.

I've edited the post, and there's a link to video now as well!