Eric Schmidt in Boston University commencement speech: no electronics for one hour a day

Google chairperson Eric Schmidt was invited to give a commencement speech at Boston University’s graduation earlier today, along with being awarded an honorary degree. As one of the leading men who helped shape the modern Web, Schmidt gave some meaningful advice to those who graduated. Most importantly, he told graduates to turn their electronics off at least one-hour a day, noted the school’s newspaper BU Today.

He urged them to “turn that thing off” at least one hour a day, to have “real” conversations with friends and family, to experience the world around them through their senses and not just a screen. “Life,” he said, “is not lived in the glow of a monitor.

Those are definitely powerful words coming from a man whose company founded Gmail, Google Search, and more. Secondly, Schmidt talked about the Internet and technology being useful tools that can solve many of the world’s problems. He even joked that those in the audience should use Google’s tools.

“People bemoan this generation that is growing up living life in front of screens, always connected to something or someone,” Schmidt said. “These people are wrong. They’re absolutely wrong. The fact that we’re all connected now is a blessing, not a curse, and we can solve many, many problems in the world as a result.”

But Schmidt reminded the graduates that technology can only take them so far. “It’s a tool,” he said. “You are the ones who will harness that power. And that requires innovation and entrepreneurship.” He encouraged graduates to shake up the status quo and not to be afraid to launch small businesses. “And, of course, I would recommend that you use all the products that Google has to offer to set it up,” he joked.

We are hoping the video for the speech is released soon. You can read more about Schmidt’s talk over at BU Today. >>