The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
CMU "Journeys" Lecture on Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Randy Pausch was a Carnegie Mellon Professor of Computer Science whose famous Last Lecture became an internet sensation and an inspirational message of universal appeal. He died at age 47, on July 25 2008, of pancreatic cancer.
What is the Last Lecture?
"Last Lecture" (now renamed "Journeys") is a lecture series in Carnegie Mellon University where professors are requested to ponder the most important areas of their personal and professional lives and impart that knowledge to their students as if it were their last chance to do it.
When Randy Pausch delivered the lecture on September 18, 2007, it wasn't hypothetical, he really was dying and had been given only a few months to live.
The Last Lecture - Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Randy Pausch's last lecture was titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". It was humorous, entertaining, informative, moving, engaging and inspirational. Millions of people have seen the last lecture on Youtube.
His main areas of focus were:
- Randy's childhood dreams
To be in zero gravity, to be a Disney Imagineer, winning stuffed animals at amusement parks, to name but a few.
- Enabling others' dreams
Being a Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, Randy was able to play a part in many others' dreams and make learning fun.
- Lessons Learned
Randy suggested adopting a simple common sense attitude such as showing gratitude, not complaining, and working hard, and knowing that things have a way of working themselves out.
Head Fakes
Randy Pausch's pivotal moment in the lecture was toward the end when he asked the audience about what he called "head fakes" or indirect learning. Head fakes are used to refer to something being taught, but something different is meant to be learned.
The first head fake was that the lecture was not really about achieving dreams, it was more about how to lead your life. The second head fake was that the lecture was really for his kids.
Books by Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch wrote a book called The Last Lecture with Jeffrey Zaslow(columnist with Wall Street Journal, who attended the last lecture). Randy needed daily exercise to stay healthy during his fight with cancer and during 53 long bike rides, he spoke into a cellphone headset with Jeffrey Zaslow, who helped write the book.
The book is an expanded version of Randy's last lecture and has several incidents and anecdotes from his life.
Media Appearances
Diane Sawyer interviewed Dr. Randy Pausch on ABC's show, "The Last Lecture: A Love Story For Your Life", in April 2008. He appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in October 2007, and delivered a shorter summary of his Last Lecture speech.
Randy's family
Randy is survived by his wife Jai, his sons Dylan and Logan, and his daughter Chloe.
The official website of Randy Pausch has more information about his publications, projects and personal life.
Related Reading
Readers may find other messages of inspiration in Louise Hay and the Power of Affirmations, Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now and Abraham and the Law of Attraction
Dr.Randy Pausch gave the Last Lecture
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