The Last Lecture

Perhaps you have heard of The Last Lecture. Randy Pausch a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, delivered one in 2007. The lecture created a sensation.

As I’ve come to understand it, the idea of a last lecture has been around for a while in academic circles. It’s an opportunity for professors to pretend they have only one last lecture to give, and therefore must sum up their life’s work in a final message for the ages.

In the case of Randy Pausch, it wasn’t pretend. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given only months to live.

His lecture became a touchstone on YouTube, where the number of views at the moment I write this has just reached…let me check again… 2,212,434. The lecture has also been turned into a charming book, which I’ve just finished and recommend. The book contains 60 short chapters, two of which I’d like to mention here.

Service worth its salt

One chapter is titled “The $100,000 Salt and Pepper Shaker.” It tells the story of how when Randy was a boy, he and his sister bought an expensive set of ceramic salt and pepper shakers for their parents, as thanks for taking them to Disney World. Alas, the bag slipped from Randy’s fingers as he walked from the store, and the shakers broke.

Passing adults suggested to the crying Randy that he might tell the store what happened.  To his amazement, the store staff replaced the shakers for free.

When Randy’s father heard the story and its happy ending, it made him determined to do his own good deed. For many years afterwards, at his own expense, he arranged to bus economically disadvantaged young people to Disney World.  He spent an estimated $100,000 over the years, despite being of modest means.

Original digits—the ones on our hands

The other chapter is titled “The Lost Art of Thank-You Notes,” and its message is about the benefits of an old-fashioned, handwritten note of thanks. Randy tells the story of how a certain handwritten note from an applicant to an elite technology program—a note sent to a secretary who had helped her—ended up changing everything. Coming from a computer science professor who specializes in virtual reality, this tribute to our original digits carries special weight.

The last lecture that will last

Randy continues to wage his battle against cancer, but even when he is gone, the golden rings of positive influence will emanate from that Last Lecture for as long as people watch Randy’s lecture, or read his little book, and apply his lessons in their own lives.

On Randy’s website, www.thelastlecture.com, you’ll find links to the video of his lecture, plus more previews of the book.

The audiobook, which contains an interview with Randy at the end, is available for download at www.Audible.com. 

If you have seen the lecture or read the book, let me know what you think. Just click on the Comments link below. (If you’re reading this as an email, click here and you’ll connect to Comments).

Comments

[mym]

I was expecting another feel-good pap of a lecture telling me to think positively. Instead, I was enthralled, intrigued and moved to action.

As a long-time and loyal Levenger customer, I am loyal to the brand. This series improves my even high regard. I m grateful to Levenger for the Well-Read Life.

[E. Melvin]

I was so enthralled by Randy Pausch's lecture, I took two days of classes to show it to my students. I got mixed responses from my students, but for some, it was an impetus to work a little harder. As long as I reach any students with Mr. Pausch's lecture, I will show it again and again.

[Betty Thomas]

You might also enjoy Randy's recent commencement speech at this year's CMU graduation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcYv5x6gZTA

[PJL]

Thank you very much for the link to this lecture. It came at a truly perfect time - how did you know! I have forwarded you e-mail to my entire family and most of my friends. This is one of those which will simply travel around the world, moving people, and giving hope. Steven, you are living Randy's advice to help other people.
Thank you.

[Mary C.]

The lecture is simply deeply touching in every way. How wonder-FULL to be able to share so much of himself to all of us, and his family as he knows he is leaving this world. How lovely it would be if we could take this example, and give of ourselves each day, attempting to really live fully. Thank you for putting out this meaningful information. I did not know about the book. I am definitely interested in reading it.

[Paul]

How inspiring Randy Pausch is! If you liked "The Last Lecture", another fantastic memoir I just read and highly recommend is "My Stroke of Insight" by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. Her TEDTalk video (ted.com) has been seen as many times as The Last Lecture I think, and Oprah did 4 shows on her book, so there are a lot of similarities. In My Stroke of Insight, there's a happy ending though. It's an incredible story! I hear they're making it into a movie.

[Marie Severin]

I have seen Randy Pausch on the Oprah show. Also, I have read his book. He is a great man with a big heart. The lesson that I learned from him is to appreciate what we have.