Apple CEO Tim Cook Urges Duke Graduates To "Think "Different" During His Commencement Speech

Apple CEO Tim Cook, the Duke graduate, has traveled to the university this weekend to give the 2018 commencement address. In the graduation ...

Apple CEO Tim Cook, the Duke graduate, has traveled to the university this weekend to give the 2018 commencement address. In the graduation ceremony, Cook himself talks about immigration, #MeToo, and challenges students to "Think Different", a quote from former CEO Steve Jobs.

Cook challenged students to "think different" instead of accepting the status quo that they should follow the lead of Steve Jobs, who showed him this way of thinking, as he also reflected on Apple's strong belief in the environment and privacy.

I was lucky to learn from someone who believed this deeply. Someone who knew changing the world starts with following a vision, not following a path. He was my friend, my mentor, Steve Jobs. Steve’s vision was that the great idea comes from a restless refusal to accept things as they are.

Steve's vision was that great ideas come from a restless refusal to accept things as they are, and those principles still guide us at Apple today. We reject the notion that global warming is inevitable—that's why we run Apple on 100 percent renewable energy. We reject the excuse that getting the most out of technology means trading away your right to privacy. So we choose a different path: collecting as little of your data as possible, and being thoughtful and respectful when it's in our care.

The final theme of Cook's speech began with fearless: he encouraged Duke graduates to be as fearless as Parkland students, to put gun violence under the spotlight, women in the “Me Too” and who fights for the rights of immigrants.

Fearless like students of Parkland, who refused to be silent about the epidemic of gun violence, bringing millions to their calls. Fearless like the women who say “Me Too” and “Time’s Up.” Women who cast light into dark places and move us to a more just and equal future.

Fearless like those who fight for the rights of immigrants who understand that our only hopeful future is one that embraces all who want to contribute.

A full of Cook's commencement address' transcription can be viewed here. You can watch the replay in the embed YouTube video down below.