Randy Pausch - Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
On September 18, 2007, computer science professor and alumnus Randy Pausch spoke before a packed McConomy Auditorium at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver his last lecture, a moving talk called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” Within that context, he talked about the cancer that was devouring his pancreas and that would claim his life in a matter of months.
On the stage that day, he was youthful, energetic, cheerful and darkly funny. He seemed invincible. But that was a brief moment, as he himself acknowledged. With equal parts humor and heart, he delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that moved the overflow crowd at the university and went on to move audiences around the globe.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has his best selling book, The Last Lecture based on the same principles; celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, he lost his battle to pancreatic cancer a week ago today, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all for generations to come.
I urge you to take the time - make the time (1 hour 16 minutes) - to watch Randy’s last lecture this weekend. If you’ve already seen it, watch it again. I guarantee you’ll be inspired. More
“Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don’t achieve theirs, and I think that’s a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I’ve actually achieved most of them.” - Randy Pausch, Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008
Doug
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I saw the Diane Sawyer special about him a while back. He was an amazing man. I will watch the entire lecture this weekend. Definitely worth the time!
What an amazing man! I saw Diane Sawyer's special about him with clips from the lecture. I hope I can have his outlook when my time comes and that I have followed his advise.
I have seen this and found it VERY inspiring! Anyone who hasn't seen it will be amazed and inspired. Definitely worth the investment of an hour of your time.
Time did a great piece - 10 Questions For Andy Pausch - (actually 17) that is also worth reading. You can also download the interview to your iPod and listen to it at your leisure. It adds insight into the way this great man thought.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1729708,00.html
This lecture is famous and for good reason. Do yourselves a favor and watch it. Let your children watch it. Very inspiring.
This was such a memorable and inspiring lecture. I wonder: Have your children and grandchildren seen it?
Good question, Lacy. I believe they all saw the Diane Sawyer special, but I will encourage them to watch the lecture and read the book as well.
I wish I'd had a professor like Dr. Pausch when I was in school; it might have taught me to direct my energies more towards my dreams and less toward becoming "successful".
I pray my grandchildren have a professor as inspiring and motivating.
I take it you are feeling better. What was it, the one-day-flu?
OMG I watched it, it was amazing! What a man and how lucky to have been one of his students, especially if you attended this lecture! I tried to order the book online at your link but it is back ordered. I will try later on Amazon. Thank you so much for posting about him.
Don't miss the commencement speech he gave at CMU not long before he died (follow the link to his page). The part at the end really choked me up, he was so in love with his wife.
Very inspiring, an hour very well spent. Thank you!!
"Teddy: What was it, the one-day-flu?"
Hardly. It's an upper respiratory bug that will take a while to beat if my history is an indicator. I'm worse today than yesterday. But I was getting bored in bed and was due for more meds, so I decided to post something about Randy's story I'd been wanting to do since his passing last week.
I'm going back to bed now.
Doug
I loved the "death bed conversion. I just bought a Macintosh" reference.
I hope I have as positive an attitude and can look at death as he did. A great post. The video was long but well worth it. And the two "head fakes" at the end tied everything together nicely.
If anyone hasn't watched this, you owe it to yourself to spend the hour+ with Randy to realign your priorities and outlook.
Very inspiring. Wish I had professors like him. He cares and makes it fun!