Controversial Commencement Speech at Ohio State Sparks Debate on Bitcoin and Psychedelics

Chris Pan defends his unconventional speech, which included cryptocurrency advocacy and was influenced by ayahuasca, amid mixed reactions from the audience.

Chris Pan, a social entrepreneur and OSU alum, used ayahuasca during his speech preparation, leading to a polarizing commencement address.
Pan's speech, which included Bitcoin promotion and musical interludes, received boos and mixed reviews from the 70,000 attendees.
Despite criticism, Pan insists his speech aimed to encourage open-mindedness and financial awareness among graduates.
Pan's use of psychedelics for creativity and speech writing mirrors practices by historical figures like Steve Jobs and John Lennon.
The speech's reception varied widely, with some attendees praising its uniqueness while others criticized its appropriateness for the occasion.