Hi readers and welcome back to Wednesday Words. Today I pass along what a friend recently told me was a most amazing speech. I love it because it reminds me to stay open to the next big, creative idea that comes my way and believe in myself enough to do something with it.
The speech was given by Michael Uslan, producer of the Batman movies, as a Commencement Speech (2006) at Indiana University.
In a nutshell, Uslan is a creative person who had a big idea and wasn’t afraid to go for it.
A section from Uslan’s encouraging speech
With the backing of the Folklore Department, I appeared before a panel of professors and deans. I entered a dark, mahogany room with a very long conference table right out of the Justice League’s secret sanctum. Now, keep in mind this was the early 1970’s. My hair was down to my shoulders, I was wearing a Spider-Man T-shirt and I think I still had my love beads on.
The professor at the far end of the table looked down at me over those little half-glasses perched on the edge of his nose, and said, “So you’re the fellow who wants to teach a course on ‘funny books’ at my university?” I knew I was in deep… trouble.
He let me speak for two minutes and then he cut me off. “Mr. Uslan,” he said, “I don’t buy your theory. Comic books are cheap entertainment for children. Nothing more. Nothing less. Look, I read them all when I was a kid. I read every issue of ‘Superman’ comics I could get my hands on. But contemporary folklore? Modern day mythology? I reject your theory.”
It was my moment of truth. I inquired if I could ask two questions, and he said I could ask him anything I wanted. So I asked if he was familiar with the story of Moses. He told me he was. I then requested that he very briefly summarize the story of Moses. Eyeing me as if I was insane, he replied that he wasn’t sure what game I was playing, but he would play it with me.
The professor said, “The Hebrews were being persecuted, their first-born were being slain. A Hebrew couple placed their infant son in a little wicker basket and sent him down the River Nile where he was discovered by an Egyptian family who raised him as their own son. When he grew up and learned of his heritage, he became a great hero to his people by—
“I said, thank you. That was great. You mentioned before that you read ‘Superman’ comics as a kid. Do you remember the origin of Superman?” He did. “What’s the origin of Superman?” I asked.
The professor said, “The planet Krypton was about to explode. A scientist and his wife placed their infant son in a little rocket ship and sent him to earth. There, he was discovered by the Kents who raised him as their own son. When he grew up—“Suddenly, the professor stopped talking and just stared at me for what seemed like an eternity. He then said, “Your course is accredited.”
“Oh my God, I would be teaching the world’s first accredited comic books course!” I’m walking on air back to my apartment at 10th and Grant when all of a sudden I recall what an IU business prof said to me. He said, “Being creative is not enough. You must market yourself and your ideas if you wish to succeed.
Michael Uslan at Indiana University (2006)
END
Thanks for reading!
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Peggy+Lantz
Wonderful!
Charlene
It is wonderful isn’t it?
John Arnett
In addition to objective and subjective realities, writes Yuval Harari in his new book, Nexus, “stories are able to create a third level of reality: intersubjective reality…things like laws, gods, nations, corporations currencies [and universities – my comment] exist in the nexus between large numbers of minds…they exist in the stories [Moses and Superman – me again] people tell one another”
Charlene
Thanks, John, for sharing what Harari has to say about stories! I appreciate his work very much.