Taylor Swift did a commencement speech at NYU in 2022 in which she told them, “It can be really challenging to figure out who you are on a particular day as you are figuring out where you want to go. I have good news, It’s totally up to you. I have terrifying news, It’s totally up to you.” Ever feel pressure to validate yourself, follow your heart, figure out who you are, do anything you put your mind to, or any of a dozen other popular mantras? Let’s think about the good, the bad, and the impossibility of it all.
-Paul Poteat