When I was your age...

The commencement speech is one great American tradition. World leaders such as Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan, the Afghan President Hamid Karzai; and artists such as Stephen King and Tom Hanks have adressed cohorts of graduating students. Of course, many are American since universities often pick one of their own alumni.

The most touching I've ever read is by Steve Jobs, Apple and Pixar founder, to the Standford Class of 2005. Most commencement speech are drowned in evidences and old formulas, but this one has the rare quality of ringing true. From one of the most influential men in the world, who just escaped death.

The funniest I've ever read - and I read it once a year for a good laugh - is Conan O'Brien's speech to the Harvard Class of 2000.