It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young，unwed college graduate student，and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates，so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents，who were on a waiting list，got a call in the middle of the night asking：“We have an unexpected baby boy；do you want him?”They said：“Of course.”My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.
And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford，and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months，I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time，but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me，and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.
It wasn’t all romantic. I didn’t have a dorm room，so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms，I returned coke bottles for the 5￠ deposits to buy food with，and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example：
Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster，every label on every drawer，was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn’t have to take the normal classes，I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces，about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations，about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful，historical，artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture，and I found it fascinating.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later，when we were designing the first Macintosh computer，it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college，the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac，its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out，I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class，and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very，very clear looking backwards ten years later.
Again，you can’t connect the dots looking forward；you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut，destiny，life，karma，whatever. This approach has never let me down，and it has made all the difference in my life.
我今天很荣幸能和你们一起参加毕业典礼，斯坦福大学是世界上最好的大学之一。我从未从任何一所学院毕业。说实话，今天也许是在我的生命中离大学毕业最近的一天了。今天我想向你们讲述我生活中的三个故事。不是什么大不了的事情，只是三个故事而已。
第一个故事是关于如何把生命中的点点滴滴串连起来。
我在Reed大学读了6个月之后就退学了，但是在18个月以后——我真正作出退学决定之前，我还经常去学校。我为什么要退学呢？
故事从我出生的时候讲起。我的亲生母亲是一个年轻的、未婚的大学毕业生。她决定让别人收养我，她非常希望我能被大学毕业生收养。所以万事俱备，所有的一切都安排好了，我出生时就会被一个律师和他的妻子所收养。但是她没有料到，当我出生之后，律师夫妇突然决定他们想要一个女孩。所以我那在等待批准的申请人名单上的父母在半夜接到了一个电话：“我们现在这儿有一个不小心生出来的男婴，你们想要他吗？”他们回答道：“当然！”但是我亲生母亲随后发现，我的养母从来没有上过大学，我的父亲甚至没有读过高中。她拒绝签这个收养合同。只是在几个月以后，我的父母答应她一定要让我上大学，那个时候她才同意。
在17岁那年，我真的上了大学。但是我很愚蠢的选择了一所几乎和斯坦福大学一样贵的学校，我工薪阶层的父母几乎把所有积蓄都花在了我的学费上面。6个月后，我已经看不到其中的价值所在了。我对我生命中要做的一切都不知所措，我也不知道大学能否为我描绘出来。但是在那里，我几乎花光了我父母这辈子的所有积蓄。所以我决定要退学，我觉得这是个正确的决定。不能否认，我当时确实非常的害怕，但是现在回头看看，那的确是我这一生中最棒的一个决定。在我做出退学决定的那一刻，我终于可以不必去读那些令我提不起丝毫兴趣的课程了。然后我还可以去修那些看起来有点意思的课程。
但是这并不是那么浪漫。学校宿舍不让我住了，所以我只能在朋友房间的地板上面睡觉，我去捡5美分的可乐瓶子，仅仅为了填饱肚子，在星期天的晚上，我需要走7英里的路程，穿过这个城市到Hare Krishna寺庙（注：位于纽约Brooklyn下城），只是为了能吃上饭——这个星期唯一一顿好点的饭菜。但是我喜欢这样。我跟着我的直觉和好奇心走，遇到的很多东西，此后被证明是无价之宝。让我给你们举一个例子吧：
Reed大学在那时提供也许是全美国最好的美术字课程。在这个大学里面的每个海报，每个抽屉的标签上面全都是漂亮的美术字。因为我退学了，没有受到正规的训练，所以我决定去参加这个课程，去学学怎样写出漂亮的美术字。我学到了san serif 和serif字体，我学会了怎么样在不同的字母组合之中改变空格的长度，还有怎么样才能做出最棒的印刷式样。那是一种科学永远不能捕捉到的、美丽的、真实的艺术精妙，我发现那实在是太美妙了。
当时看起来这些东西在我的生命中，好像都没有什么实际应用的可能。但是十年后，当我们在设计第一台Macintosh电脑的时候，就不是那样了。我把当时所学的全都用在了Mac中。那是第一台使用了漂亮的印刷字体的电脑。如果我当时没有退学，就不会有机会去参加这个我感兴趣的美术字课程，Mac就不会有这么多丰富的字体，以及赏心悦目的字体间距。那么现在个人电脑就不会有现在这么美妙的字体了。当然我在大学的时候，还不可能把从前的点点滴滴串连起来，但是当我十年后回顾这一切的时候，真的豁然开朗了。
需要再次说明的是，你在向前展望的时候不可能将这些片断串连起来；你只有在回顾的时候才能做到这一点，所以你必须相信这些片断会在将来的某一天能串连起来。你必须要相信某些东西：你的秉性、命运、生活、因缘。这个过程从来没有令我失望，反而让我的生命更加的与众不同。
导读
史蒂夫·乔布斯，苹果电脑公司CEO。本文是史蒂夫·乔布斯2005年6月12日在斯坦福大学毕业典礼上的演讲。
诵读名句
It was pretty scary at the time，but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
It was beautiful，historical，artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture，and I found it fascinating.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life.
China and the WTO：the 15-year Itch
中国与WTO：十五年的渴望
David Eldon/大卫·艾尔敦
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen，
I stand before you today with a confession to make.
It relates to something that I did recently.
Exactly one month ago，I delivered a speech to another American audience. It was a gathering of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. I talked about Hong Kong’s changing role. And about how Hong Kong can compete as it becomes increasingly easier for foreign companies to do business in China.
On that day in March，I made several suggestions. One of which was that when travelling overseas，government officials and business people from Hong Kong should spend more time selling Hong Kong to the sceptics. And less time speaking to the converted.
Consequently I am here today，in front of a decidedly Hong Kong-friendly crowd，in direct violation of my own advice. That said，I plan to redeem myself by not devoting too much time talking about Hong Kong—a topic that is well known to this audience. Rather I intend to concentrate on the less known. In particular，the implications of China’s entry into the WTO. The implications for Hong Kong and the implications for foreign companies.
In doing so，I am going to focus my talk on three distinct areas of knowledge：
what we know we know;
what we know we do not know；and
what we do not know we know.
Common knowledge
First，what we know we know. We know that China means different things to different people.
To overseas manufacturing firms or trading companies it is“the land of a billion buyers of shoes，cars and computers.”To foreign companies already in China it is a place that warrants expansion. In fact，a recent survey found that nine out every 10 foreign companies operating in China plan to expand their investment in the next three years. To foreign financial institutions—particularly those interested in the provision of wealth management services—China is a market with enormous potential. After all it is a country with the highest rate of savings in the world. A country where reportedly more than 80 percent of the bank deposits are held in 20 percent of the accounts. To my Bank it is our birthplace. To your President it is a“strategic competitor.”
Another thing we know we know and this audience in particular knows is that China’s entry into the WTO means the role of Hong Kong will inevitably change.
Hong Kong was once the only gateway to the Mainland market. A vital link between East and West. Between developed and less-developed nations. Between capitalist and reforming economies. Between China and everywhere else. Today，Hong Kong no longer holds this privileged position. The reality is that Hong Kong hasn’t held it for quite some time. Long before the ink was dry on China’s WTO agreement，companies were choosing to bypass Hong Kong and go directly to Beijing，Shanghai and elsewhere in the Mainland. Of course，a significant number of companies were also still coming to Hong Kong to take advantage of the city’s close geographic，economic，political and cultural ties to the Mainland. And as you are aware they continue to come.
We also know that China is in the midst of two transitions at one time：from a command to a market economy and from a rural to an urban society. And we know that the country faces a number of challenges：allocating incoming capital effectively；reforming state-owned enterprises；creating more jobs；spreading wealth more evenly；reducing bureaucracy；and eliminating corruption. And now，living up to the commitments and the expectations of WTO membership can be added to this list.
Finally，we know that China has changed a great deal in a relatively short period of time. Thirty years ago，US President Richard Nixon and his national security adviser Henry Kissinger made a historic journey to China. Their seven-day trip concluded with the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué inside the Grand Hall of the Jinjiang Hotel in Shanghai. A couple of weeks ago，Dr Kissinger returned to the Jinjiang to deliver a speech commemorating the events of 1972.
I do not know if Dr Kissinger took the time to explore the surrounding area. If he did，he would have possibly seen the nearby theatre that regularly plays the latest offering from Hollywood. He would have probably come across the American fast food outlets or the Italian designer clothing store just down the block. Before crossing the street，he would have likely had to wait for a line of Japanese cars to pass and perhaps even the bus emblazoned with a larger-than-life Winnie the Pooh. And if he stayed out late enough，he would have undoubtedly been able to stroll back to the hotel under the colorful neon lights advertising German cellular phones. In short，he would have definitely seen a very different China today than the one he saw 30 years ago.
Existing uncertainties
The second area I want to focus on is what we know we do not know. In other words，the uncertainties related to the further opening of China’s market.
Clearly，we do not know exactly how numerous industries will evolve. And it is a lack of advanced knowledge that is prompting much speculation. In the area of financial services for example，some predict that many of China’s domestic banks will have a limited life span once the market is fully opened up in five years time.
Personally，I do not share this view. I think they will be very strong competitors. Partly because they are in the advantageous position of knowing the marketplace. Partly because they have national networks that are impossible—not to mention impractical—to match. And partly because they have a strong base of customers and are becoming increasingly modern. Consider the Mainland’s largest bank，the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. It recently announced that it has more than 10，000 corporates and 1.8 million individuals using its online banking services. But the main reason I think domestic banks in China will be strong competitors：they are very fast learners.
Another thing we know we do not know—and this specifically relates to Hong Kong—is the indirect benefits that will flow from a more open market in China.
For example，if mainland investors are allowed to invest their foreign exchange holdings in Hong Kong，the SAR’s stock market would clearly benefit. Hong Kong’s position as a fund raising centre for Mainland companies would also be enhanced. We know this idea is under consideration. We also know we do not know when it may happen.
Likewise，we know that if banks in Hong Kong are permitted to accept RMB deposits，the SAR’s status as an international financial centre and as the premier regional financial centre will be enhanced even further. Once again we know this idea is being considered，but we do not know when it may happen.
…
At the outset of the 1972 talks，Dr Kissinger reportedly told his Chinese hosts：“The good thing about our relationship is that we want nothing from each other.”
Chairman Mao is said to have promptly disagreed，noting：“If I had wanted nothing from you，I wouldn’t have invited you. And if you wanted nothing from me，you shouldn’t have come.”
Similar sentiments apply to the WTO agreement. If China did not have something to gain，it would not have joined the WTO. Nor would it have made，as some observers suggest，commitments that are far more reaching than any previous membership applicant has. Likewise，foreign companies would not be flocking to and expanding their operations in China if they thought there was nothing to gain. Nor if they thought there were no profits to be made.
In closing，let me make one final observation about Hong Kong and the impact of China’s entry into the WTO.
I know and I think all of you would agree that Hong Kong is well positioned to play a significant role in the post-entry period. And I know the people of Hong Kong have the capacity and the capability to respond to new challenges. Simply put，I know that if New York is the city that never sleeps，then Hong Kong is the city that never stagnates.
Thank you.
先生们，女士们，早上好！
今天我站在这里，要向大家坦白。
是关于最近我说过的一些话。
一个月前，我向另一些美国听众发表了讲话。那是在香港的美国商会的一次聚会上。我谈到香港的角色正在发生变化。现在外国公司在中国开展业务越来越容易，所以我也谈到了在这种情况下香港该怎样进行竞争。
就在那一天，也就是在三月份，我提出了几点建议。其中一点是香港的政府官员和商业人员在去海外时应该多花些时间向那些对香港持怀疑态度的人宣传香港，而不要花太多时间和对香港友好的人谈论香港。
所以我今天会站在这里，站在一群对香港极为友好的人面前，直截了当地违背自己提出的建议。既然这么说，我打算对自己说过的话作出补偿，不用太多的时间谈论香港——这个话题对于今天的听众来说已经非常熟悉了。我想多谈一些大家不太熟悉的东西。尤其是中国加入WTO所产生的影响，对香港的影响，还有对外国公司的影响。
这样，我准备集中谈论三部分的内容：
我们知道自己已经了解的事;
我们知道自己还没有了解的事；还有
我们不知道自己已经了解的事。
众所周知的内容
首先是我们知道自己已经了解的事。我们知道中国对于不同的人来说意味着不同的东西。
对于海外的制造商和贸易公司来说，中国是“有着十多亿购买鞋子、汽车和电脑的消费者的国家”。对于已经在中国的外国公司来说，在这里扩展业务是理所当然的。事实上，最近的一项调查表明，在中国运作的每十家外国公司中有九家计划在未来三年里扩大投资。对于外资的金融机构来说，尤其是那些对提供财富管理服务感兴趣的外资金融机构来说，中国是一个有着巨大潜力的市场。毕竟这是一个有着全世界最高存款率的国家。根据报道，在中国超过80%的银行存款存在20%的账户之中。对于我的银行——汇丰银行——来说，中国是我们的诞生地。对于各位总统来说，中国是“战略性的竞争对手”。
另一件我们知道自己已经了解的事，也是在座的各位听众了解的事，就是中国加入WTO意味着香港的角色肯定会发生变化。
香港曾经一度是进入中国内地市场的唯一通道。它是东西方联系的一条至关重要的纽带，联系着发达国家和欠发达的国家，联系着资本主义经济和改革之中的经济体，也联系着中国和世界各地。今天，香港已经不再拥有这一特殊地位了。事实上，香港失去这一地位已经有一段时间了。在中国加入WTO之前，各公司早就选择绕过香港，直接进入北京，上海和中国内地的其他地方。当然，也有大量公司还是到香港来，以利用这座城市与中国内地在地理，经济，政治和文化方面的紧密联系。大家也都看到，还有公司陆续到来。
我们也知道中国正同时处于两种转变之中：从计划经济到市场经济，从农业到都市社会。我们也知道这个国家正面临着一系列的挑战：有效分配涌入的资金；改革国有企业；创造更多的就业机会；更平均地分配财富；减少官僚作风；还有杜绝腐败。现在，还可以加上一条：达到WTO成员国的承诺和期望。
最后，我们知道中国在相对较短的时间里发生了巨大的变化。30年前，美国总统尼克松和他的国家安全事务助理基辛格对中国进行了一次具有历史意义的访问。他们为期7天的访问的最后一项内容是在上海的锦江饭店小礼堂签订上海公报。就在几星期前，基辛格博士又来到锦江饭店发表讲话，纪念1972年的这一事件。
我不知道基辛格博士是否花时间去周围的地方看过。如果他这么做了，他可能会看到附近的一家电影院，这家电影院经常上映最新的好莱坞大片。沿着大街走，他可能会见到美式的快餐店或是意大利款式的服装店。在过马路之前，他很有可能要等着一长排日本汽车开过，甚至是画着非常显眼的小熊维尼图案的公共汽车。如果他在外面逗留到很晚，他一定会在德国移动电话广告的霓虹灯下漫步走回宾馆。总而言之，他现在一定会看到与30年前完全不同的一个中国。
