Speaking To The Graduates (Etc.)

As the keynote speaker, you've got about three months to prepare. What would you focus on delivering a commencement speech for graduates in 2013?

Although I know this locates me in dinosaur-land, not to mention being an ironic subject for a blogger to prattle about, I would focus on the benefits of face-to-face communication. I don't believe the world is going to hell in a hand basket because of tweeting, texting, over-reliance on technology, etc. But it's possible a persuasive commencement speech might help increase awareness of the benefits of old-fashioned face-to-face communication. Or conversely, increase awareness of the rudeness of ignoring the people you're with in favor of electronic devices. And not only graduates could benefit from this awareness.

Of late, I've noticed a fair share of couples of all ages sitting in public places (restaurants in particular), not speaking to each other but instead tapping away on their cell phones. At minimum, my commencement speech would have at least a few sarcastic remarks aimed at this behavior which in my mind is tantamount to saying "I'm sitting here with you but whatever this person is texting to me is more interesting or  more important than anything you might want to talk about."

I'm reasonably sure my young adult daughter will chastise her old fart father for this post (online or offline chastising is the unknown) but what is your view? In her defense, she is almost always fully present when with her mother and I. For that, I'm grateful. I'm sure she's grateful I was not selected to deliver any of her commencement speeches.