World Model · podcast knowledge graph

Don’t Follow Your Passion | Ben Horowitz’s Advice for New Graduates

2026-07-06 · 19 min · episode 1139 · 12 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

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  • → discusses Business concept
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  • → discusses Entrepreneurship concept
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    Feed category: Entrepreneurship
  • → hosted by a16z company
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    Feed author/publisher: a16z

Entities found in this episode

concepts 9

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    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Science
  • mentioned Technology concept
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    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Technology
  • mentioned Business concept
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    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Business
  • mentioned Entrepreneurship concept
    0.50
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Entrepreneurship
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    evidence rules-v4
    Don’t Follow Your Passion | Ben Horowitz’s Advice for New Graduates
  • discusses Science concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Science
  • discusses Technology concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Technology
  • discusses Business concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Business
  • discusses Entrepreneurship concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v4
    Feed category: Entrepreneurship

persons 2

  • mentioned Andreessen Horowitz person
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    evidence rules-v4
    Feed author/publisher: Andreessen Horowitz
  • hosted by Andreessen Horowitz person
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    evidence rules-v4
    Feed author/publisher: Andreessen Horowitz

companys 1

  • hosted by a16z company
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Episode description as stored
In this commencement address to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Class of 2015, Ben Horowitz challenges some of the most common advice given to graduates. Rather than urging students to “follow their passion,” Horowitz argues that people should focus on developing their strengths and making meaningful contributions to the world. Drawing on stories from his own time at Columbia, the founding of technology companies, and investments in startups like Airbnb, he explores the importance of independent thinking, conviction, and pursuing ideas that others may initially dismiss. Along the way, Horowitz discusses technological progress, entrepreneurship, opportunity, and why he believes today's graduates are entering a world defined less by unprecedented challenges than by unprecedented possibilities. ee Resources: Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: Find a16z on YouTube: YouTube Find a16z on X Find a16z on LinkedIn Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.