In this article, the author reflects on Education Secretary Arne Duncan's speech at Teachers College, Columbia University, to an audience of pre-service teachers, their professors, graduate students, and others on the future needs of education. The author found that Mr. Duncan's speech did not suffice in addressing the depth of his subject. Because of his unique experiences and training, the Secretary understands that education is a multifaceted field with numerous discourses; a broader audience does not. Therefore, his speech could be little more than a snapshot taken to grab the attention of a distracted public. Secretary Duncan's snapshot, taken from the perspective of an experienced veteran of the educational discourse, managed to capture major themes associated with education, lending impetus to future change. The author cites that Duncan's snapshot addressed the challenges for the present and future of education research. However, the problem has a larger context that goes beyond researchers, teacher educators, and pre-service training. For the future of education and the research it stimulates, the conversations, be they in the form of speeches, hallway discussions or academic discourse, cannot be trite complaints about the status quo or unoriginal reliance upon tradition. The author believes that these new conversations must shape and direct educational knowledge and new possibilities while allowing for effective navigation and contribution to a better, reformed 21st century world.