Blog Post #4: Podcast Review

- Steve Jobs Stanford University commencement speech from Ted

Link :  http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html

"At his Stanford University commencement speech, Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself."

Above is a brief explaination written on Ted website for the videoclip I made a link to.

Steve Jobs tells us about three stories of his life.
The first one is about 'connecting the dots'. He says that we cannot connet the dots in life looking forward. We can only connect them looking backwards. Therefore,we have to trust in something like, gut, destiny, life, whatever. Because belief  in the dots will connect down the road will give us the confidence to follow our hearts. And that will make all the difference.
His second story is about 'love and loss'. Sometimes life hit our heads with a brick. He says, "Don't lose faith.".The only thing that made him keep going was that he loved what he did.  He claims that we have to find what we love to do. If we haven't found it, we should keep looking. He says again and again, "Keep looking. Don't settle.".
The third story is about 'death'. When he was seventeen, he read a quote that something like, 'If you live each day as if it's your last, someday you'll certainly be right.'. And since then, for the past 33 years, he looked in the mirror every morning and ask himself, 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today.'. If the answer is 'No' for too many days in a row, we have to change something. Reminding the fact that we certainly die in the future make us to focus on our inner voice.

I've seen this speech a few years ago, and it was quite moving and meant a lot to me. Now, again, it's still a meaningful and helpful message to me. If there's anyone who is struggling to live each day doning something he/she doesn't want to do at all, this speach will be able to give you the guidance at least.


-My opinion about the podcast & the type of learners could benefit from the podcast

There are many websites offering podcasts for free. It can be a form of a video or an audio both. I think we cannot excuse for the low English ablility anymore even though we are in the EFL environment because there are so many resources we can use to practice L2 on the internet. There's no limit of time or place to access to these materials, and most of the cases it is offered without paying a penny.
The podcast is a very good source to learn a second language because there are plenty of data for every level of L2 learners. Because of that, it can be helpful for any types of learners.
Plus, especially in Korea, the IT infra is well organized and people from young children to the old feel easy to access on the internet through their computers or moblile phones. It makes them convenient to use the podcast to practice L2. Therefore, I highly recommend the podcast as a learning source to L2 learners out there who needs more exposure to the second language they're learning.