A Dying Professor's Words To Live By

Last Lecture Is A Lesson In Living

(CBS)  All great speeches get a standing ovation at the end, but only great people get them at the beginning too, reports CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman.

Randy Pausch, 46, is a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University -- a nerd from the get-go.

His mom, Virginia, says in Randy's room, Farrah Fawcett posters were shunned in favor of the fuller-figured quadratic formula. Every wall shows what a bright, quirky mind he had. Later, her son became one of the nation's foremost authorities on virtual reality.

"It's beyond me,” Virginia says, “I’m an English major."

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"After I got my Ph.D, my mother took great relish in introducing me as, 'He's a doctor, but not the kind that helps people.'"

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Obviously, this last lecture had nothing to do with virtual reality. His last lecture included singing Happy Birthday to his wife and showing pictures of his kids. In fact, his last lecture was just that.

"There’s been a tradition for years and years around college campuses of the last lecture," Randy explains. "If you had one last lecture to give before you died, what would you tell your students?"

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To watch Randy Pausch's speech, click here

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For most professors it's nothing more than a gimmick, but for Dr. Randy Pausch, the title "last lecture" was all too literal.

Just over a year ago, Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And, although it is spreading, it has yet to reach his sense of humor.

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"I will tell you I experienced a deathbed conversion ... I just bought a Macintosh ... I don't know how to not have fun. I'm dying and I'm having fun and I'm going to keep having fun every day I have left, because there's no other way to play it.”

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"But let me be clear,” says Randy. “I'm not happy about what's going to happen. Leaving three little kids... that stinks.”

Randy says it’s a 50/50 chance that he will be here for Christmas. And of Father's Day he says, “I wouldn't buy me anything.”

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"If you lead your life the right way, the Karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you. And anybody who is out there who's a parent - if your kids want to paint the bedroom - as a favor to me, let them do it. It will be OK. Don't worry about the resale value of the house."

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Since Randy gave this talk a couple weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded it off the Internet.

"I think there's going to be a whole new generation of kids who are allowed to paint on their bedroom walls," he joked of the response to the speech.

He's also had dozens of media inquiries.

“Why do we all want to hear from you now that we don't have much time to hear from you?” Hartman asked.

“It's sort of like the Disney movies that only come out once every seven years: scarcity creates value,” says Randy. “It really is quite interesting: A year-and-a-half ago, I could have given that same speech. There are two things that were different. One, I wouldn't have had the moral authority to speak on how to lead your life. And two, I wouldn't have given myself the permission to say it."

The irony is, although thousands have seen the speech, it was written for just three. Randy hopes Dylan, Logan and Chloe will watch this someday and know their dad just a little bit more.

"Do you have to go?" asks Hartman.

"Man, I don't like having to go," he says. "I don't want to go. I like living."

[starleo146]

ice Guy, but if he''''s not a Christian it was all a waste. Get right with God, there are tons of "nice" people in HELL.

Posted by sblake63 at 08:02 PM : Sep 28, 2007


Not again man, get a life, who are you the God police?

[starleo146]

Posted by whispyseas at 02:58 PM : Sep 29, 2007

Man, do you ever get out? get out of that room NOW

[starleo146]

Nice Guy, but if he''''''''s not a Christian it was all a waste. Get right with God, there are tons of "nice" people in HELL.
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Poste
d by sblake63 at 08:02 PM : Sep 28, 200

Man, you are hopeless. St. Peter is at the golden gate and I think he is going to make you wait.

[tnt1954]

epicureanism, hedonism? sexual taboos have been
in the society of **** sapiens for eons.
fun, fun, fun till daddy takes the electricity away.
its the last day of the rest of your life.
live each day like its your last. obey the taboos.
you might live longer that way. and be kind to
each other. for we will not pass this way again.
world peace isn''t a bad goal.

[sftodd]

Nice Guy, but if he''''s not a Christian it was all a waste. Get right with God, there are tons of "nice" people in HELL.
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Posted by sblake63 at 08:02 PM : Sep 28, 2007

I''d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun . . .

sblake63, can''t tell you how glad I am to know you''re going to heaven -- you''d be a real downer in hell, always telling the rest of us to stop having fun -- LOL!

[barbaraf4]

Blessed irreverence - what a beautiful mind!

[vkphillips62]

hmmmmmmm i would just like to add my comments to the so called christians that are doing so well in commending others on this blog... doesnt the Bible say Judge not least you be judged? why dont you all think about that for a minute before you all just handing down judgements to everyone?...

[vkphillips62]

Thank you Randy for shinging some wonderful laughter in the news that is usually filled w/nothing but war and politics.You made me smile and cry. Please keep your wonderful laughter and sense of humor..and CBS thank you for bringing America such a wonderful story ...it was such a nice change from the war and other terrible things that are going on in our world. Randy, just know that I, like im sure, a million other American who saw your story will be praying for you and your wonderful family... just keep laughing. And just to let you know I will be thinking of you at Christmas and Fathers Day.Thank your for your "Last Lecture".

[vanessamelly]

Hi Randy, I just want to tell you that many peopel with cancer live for many years, and I hope your with your family for many fathersd ays to come.

Your such a great guy with such a beautiful family, when i saw your story i cried all night and prayed for you, it was heartbreaking but have faith in the lord and he can heal all your diseases..

also remember that god never gives us more than we can bear.... if you do pass away he will give yoru family strength to go on and will take care of them, please pray alot and ask god to perform a miracle!

he is a miraculous God..he saved my life and he can save yours! GOD BLESS YOU RANDY!

[hissteps4u]

Oleander8 Right On and well said and concise very good. Nice to see others who understand that Organized Religion and their doctrines are full of crapola. I left Organized religion over 25 years ago. I did not leave God or Jesus Just the Man made clubs who divide us from one another in the Lords Name.

God Bless you.

[oleander8]

To: sblake63

I won''t distinguish your comment by reprinting it - but you represent everything that is wrong about organized religion - Get with it.

[sblake63]

I too was very inspired by Randy''''s last lecture . I did not have the opportunity to go to college but my childern do go and this is why. I wanted them to have the privilege of hearing professors like Randy and learning from them . After listening to his message I''''m sure he has taught his students a lot more than just the subject matter over the years . He sounds like a really fun guy . I''''ll remember him and his young family in my prayers . As an after thought a note to the Christian poster - I know with all my heart and soul there are no nice people in hell but perhaps there are people like you .

Posted by sea751952 at 08:10 AM : Sep 29, 2007

______________________________________________

Oh really sea751952? Find me one biblical reference that says being a "nice person" in heaven. Sure God appreciates it and wants us to help others. But as far as SOULS go, there''s only one plan for salvation. Read John 3:16..

Its sad people are so easily fooled these days, a warm smile and soft words and its thought you have an automatic free pass to heaven - NOT!

Nobody''s implying the person in this story was a "bad" guy. But EVERY time somebody dies, people should be considering the issues of eternity and salvation. Right after reading this blog, you could be breathing your last breath... This guy died at a very young age. Get with it folks......

[sea751952]

I too was very inspired by Randy''s last lecture . I did not have the opportunity to go to college but my childern do go and this is why. I wanted them to have the privilege of hearing professors like Randy and learning from them . After listening to his message I''m sure he has taught his students a lot more than just the subject matter over the years . He sounds like a really fun guy . I''ll remember him and his young family in my prayers . As an after thought a note to the Christian poster - I know with all my heart and soul there are no nice people in hell but perhaps there are people like you .

[lhwrites]

When my mother was finally diagnosed with stage 4 breast to bone cancer her ribs were cracking just from getting into her car. The doctors I knew at my job told me to tell her to "get her things in order." Despite the dire prediction she had the most amazingly positive attitude and was a terrific, cooperative patient. She ended up living almost 6 years after her diagnosis. She got to see her grandchild born, to go to see "Les Miz", and went with me and my family on a wonderful vacation to Cape May (all of which were dreams of mine). She spent almost everyday smiling and enjoying her life. You never know Randy; maybe you will be around for that Father''s Day present! Keep living your life and it may go on longer than you expect!

[marsrn]

my uncle was in a clinical trial in Chicago, Ill. It kept him alive two years longer than expected with a good quality of life. He functioned normally everyday and played golf most days. He also had pancreatic cancer. What exact type I am not sure of. I could find out if it would help you. Research the clinical trials and experimental drugs therapies in this country and overseas. I''m praying for you and your family. Marsrn

[standlee5]

If only we had a way to screen for pancreatic cancer. My brother died form it. Maybe Randy Pauch''s legacy will be in stepped up research for pancreas cancer. As for the good professor maybe a Christmas miracle will save this brilliant man.

[lindahawk]

If I was asked that famous question: "If you could have dinner with one person in the world (from the past or now), who would it be?" My choice would be Randy Pausch hands down! What an inspiration! Truly someone I want to inspire to be like. I think we could all learn a lot from Randy. What a guy, what a story! Great to know there are still some good guys out there!

[wildheart3]

What an inspiring and ultimately sad story!

[dachun-2009]

Sorry to know Randy''s situation. Surprisingly, my situation is similar to his. I am also a cancer patient and a college professor. I also had history of liver delivery. After chemotherapy, my liver condition gets better. Hope Randy to see doctor. Sometimes, miracle exists. Best Wishes.

[mygramma]

This is possibly the most powerful CBS segment ever aired about one of the finer human beings on this planet for his beautiful message. I am situated like him, with a different form of cancer, but we will see who wins the race to the grave. Not far away.