The Last Lecture

You may have heard about the life touching Last Lecture by the dying computer science professor Randy Pausch over the internet. Search for it in youtube if you like. Ok, here is the link. Today I saw the book form. This last lecture is not a computer science lecture, rather, it is a lecture of life. Over 6 million people has watched it! (That's about the population of the very crowded Hong Kong!)

The video lecture is full of witty charm. No wonder 6 million people viewed it.

In the last days of life, the professor's main concern are his kids. He need to jam pack what he would teach his kids for the next 20 years into a small book or lectures. In the lecture (book), he shared a lot about his life: childhood dreams and all that... he wanted to be in zero gravity and play for NFL, etc.

One page caught my attention: He "celebrated" the quadratic formula by painting it on a wall when he was young. I like the formula too, but didn't write it on my wall. However, I wrote about it in this article.

The lecture (and book) is jammed packed with life lessons: following childhood dreams and seizing and enjoying every moment of life. The positive attitude he had is such great impact on his viewers, especially his kids when they are old enough.

Here is his quote: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

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If the professor lives to be 100+ years old, even if his researches rock the academic world, he probably would not have captured as much attention. Old saying: it is not how long you live, it is how you live that matters. Unfortunate folks with health issues are often comforted with that old saying.

How come we are more interested to hearing from people who are dying and not as interested to those who are not? Why did the Last Lecture capture so much attention?

People like and want inspiring stories, and don't mind spending about $15 to buy it as an gift item. Professor Pausch's ability to communicate his life lessons truly flourished. I am sure his impact would last, especially within the minds of his young children.

What do YOU have to say in your last lecture? We all must die some day.

Although it is very unfortunate that the very talented professor has terminal disease, he is also in some ways fortunate.

The professor at least knows his life will end in matter of months and had a chance to write the lectures. (I sure hope some breakthrough in medicine or a miracle somewhat would save him!) For far too many unfortunate people, death comes too soon too suddenly.

The professor has an audience (his students, family, etc). Unfortunately, not everyone has loyal audience. I hope you do.

You can also use your blog as your lecture hall. The entire web is your audience.