Conan O'Brien used his Harvard University commencement speech to argue that humility and the human connection matter far more than any diploma. "I always recognize the enormous role of luck in my life. Refusing to see how luck has played a role in anyone's success is simply ignorant. Many people are happy to mistake a lucky poker hand for their own brilliance, and fighting that human instinct has kept me sane. "I honestly believe that community, spontaneity, and a real commitment to humility has helped me build a rich life that means much more to me than any diploma. And believe me, I'm not saying the goal is to renounce accomplishments, but rather to metabolize them. If you carry your victories lightly, other qualities –- kindness, originality, courage, humor, and humanity –- have room to emerge. "Maybe the greatest lessons I've learned along these lines have been through my 24 travel shows. I have degraded myself in Cuba, Ghana, Korea, Armenia, half of Europe, Argentina, Thailand, Mexico, and Greenland, where I visited a real estate office and tried to buy the country. When I travel to another land, every quality I have discussed -- community, adaptation, and a sincerely humble approach -- are all necessary. When you don't speak the language, no one truly cares where you went to college, and you have no choice but to make friends. "It's on these travels that I learned a great lesson: let yourself be bad at things. I have been a bad dancer in every country I have visited. But the people laugh because it turns out everyone everywhere is related to at least one terrible dancer. For me, humility on these trips can easily lead to humiliation, which is also a useful tool. "Three weeks ago, I visited Amsterdam, dressed up as Van Gogh, and forced my way into the Van Gogh Museum, where I started loudly demanding a cut of the merchandising because I made no money during my lifetime. Guards forcibly ejected me. I was roundly mocked by patrons for my pathetic display. But I did see a lot of smiles. And not one person said, now that's a Harvard grad. "In Tokyo, I met with a teacher of Japanese etiquette who volunteered I wasn't her type. And when I asked her why, she just said, 'face.' In Ghana, after accepting a royal invitation, I was kicked out of the Ashanti Palace by the Queen Mother, because her favorite soap opera was starting. "I understand that I am preaching modesty and connection at a time when this is not in style. We are living through a period of extreme narcissism. Our current leadership in Washington believes that empathy is a weakness and that our nation stands supreme and alone. Add to that, everyone here today has a phone in their pocket that is algorithmically programmed to celebrate you and you alone by making you the protein-maxing hero of your own special journey. "Much has been written about how isolated and siloed we've become, but for me, the antidote is quite simple. By de-emphasizing what makes us special — in your case, a prized degree — we can really find one another, not as an exercise in virtue, but as a path towards greater laughter, love, and real growth."

On September 11, 1974, a ten-year-old boy named Stephen Colbert lost his father and two of his closest brothers, Paul and Peter, when Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashed into a cornfield hillside just three miles from the Charlotte, North Carolina airport. Only 13 of the 82 people on board survived. In a single afternoon, the youngest of eleven children in a warm, intellectually curious Catholic household went from a boy surrounded by laughter and big family energy to a kid sitting in a suddenly very quiet, very dark home with only his grieving mother for company. The two leaned on each other in a way that most people never experience. Lorna Colbert held herself together not out of bitterness, but out of a fierce, quiet love, and Stephen watched that and absorbed it into his bones. He later said his mother was never bitter, just broken, and that her example became the blueprint he carried for the rest of his life. For years, though, the real weight of the loss stayed buried. He floated through prep school detached, unbothered by the things other kids cared about, because nothing felt quite real anymore. It wasn't until he went off to Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia that the grief finally cracked through, and it hit him hard. He dropped from 185 pounds down to 135 during his freshman year, barely eating, barely functioning, consumed by a sadness he had held at bay for nearly a decade. But something remarkable happened on the other side of that collapse. He found theater. He found improvisation. He found that making people laugh was actually a way to connect with human suffering rather than run from it. He transferred to Northwestern University, stumbled into the world of Second City, and slowly built himself into one of the most empathetic, genuinely funny voices in American media. He later reflected that losing his father and brothers gave him an awareness of other people's pain that allowed him to love more deeply and connect more honestly with what it means to be human. That is not a small thing. That is everything. Via Chronicles Through Lenses

Okay so, 1) an American citizen exercises his First Amendment right to peaceably assemble and his Second Amendment right to bear arms, out of apparent concern that a tyrannical federal government is violating basic protections afforded under the Constitution 2) after coming to the aid of an unarmed woman who's been shoved to the ground by a masked federal agent, the citizen -- impaired by pepper spray, holding nothing but a cell phone -- is dragged to the ground by a group of other masked agents 3) during the scuffle, shortly after one masked agent removes the weapon from the restrained citizen's person, several other masked agents open fire, unloading 10 shots from close range and killing the unarmed citizen 4) despite video evidence, a spokesman for the federal government says the citizen approached agents with a gun, provoked a violent confrontation, and planned to "massacre" law enforcement You really want to defend this? Go ahead. Just know, you look like an absolute fool.

ISTH members: We want to hear from you! Clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and health professionals who participated in @thrombosisday, your feedback will help us develop more effective resources and support for the healthcare community. Share your insights: bit.ly/4r9U3kM

Today is World Thrombosis Day, which highlights the serious condition of thrombosis, or blood clots. The Irish Heart Foundation now provides information about the signs and symptoms along with support services for those affected by the condition. @IrishHeartFoundation #WTDay25

The ISTH Pulse Podcast teamed up with #WorldThrombosisDay to spotlight hospital-associated VTE — one of the top preventable causes of death in hospitalized patients. Hear key global insights and prevention strategies: bit.ly/46WJjhT

The silent threat of blood clots doesn't discriminate. While patients with cancer face up to a 5x higher risk, anyone can develop a serious clot. The life-saving defense we all share? Simply moving our bodies. Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn't prescribed—it's the movement we choose every day. ✨ LET’S GET PHYSICAL: Share your favorite way to stay active in the comments—whether you're in cancer treatment or simply caring for your health. #CancerCare #ActiveAgainstClots #MovementIsMedicine #EveryBodyMatters #BloodClotPrevention #WTDay25 #LEOPharma

So proud of the @isth community as we approach our goal for the Claire McLintock Memorial Award. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far - we're almost there! Donate here: isth.org/claireaward #ISTHGives #ISTH

Sorry, I’m too busy anxiety scrolling to joke about it

Powerful story! Thanks for sharing

"I'm seeing my dentist for a root canal next week" said your patient who is taking anticoagulants 🦷🩸 We've got you! This article reviews the latest guidance on periprocedural antithrombotic management in dental care and offers practical, evidence-based approaches. #Antithrombotics #DentalCare #PatientSafety ✍️ @bbikdeli Read it now: jthjournal.org/article/S1538…

A feel good story to interrupt your pre election doom scroll

Fascinating story that I’m surprised I had never heard as a political junkie. The moment when Birch considers what it would be like for him and his son if they came from different circumstances is an incredible moment.

We're proud to have partnered with Texas Children's Hospital @TexasChildrens in the U.S. For #WTDay24, we heard from the mother of a young stroke patient as she shared her daughter’s story of hope and resilience: bit.ly/3Yp1S9W

Thanks to all who have donated! The sooner we hit our $20,000 mark, the sooner I'll stop scheduling messages and emails to your inbox 😘😇 isth.org/claireaward

WOW! We are absolutely blown away by the incredible wave of love and support for #WTDay24! 🌍💙 From #ClotSurvivors to advocates across the globe, your voices filled social media with powerful messages 🙌 Stay tuned as we share highlights from this inspiring weekend!

#WTDay24 #SOMETH @thrombosisday

We love seeing @parcolympique lit up in red and blue for #WorldThrombosisDay. Thank you to @ThrombosisCan for making this illumination happen. #WTDay24

Today is #WorldThrombosisDay! Thrombosis can affect anyone, anywhere, at any age. Understanding the risks and signs of blood clots is crucial for prevention. Join us in raising awareness and supporting research for better patient outcomes. Together, we can save lives! 🌍 @thrombosisday #WTday24 #StopTheClot

It's finally here - it's World Thrombosis Day!! Thank you to all our supporters and partners for joining together to raise awareness! @thrombosisday @isth @ThrombosisCan @canvector @THSNA_Societies Use #WTDay24 to share all your pics