A Dying Professor's Words To Live By
Last Lecture Is A Lesson In Living
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Play CBS Video Video Last Lecture A computer science professor with pancreatic cancer's last lesson to students inspires a wider audience with words to live by. Steve Hartman reports.
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For most professors giving a last lecture is nothing more than a gimmick, but for Dr. Randy Pausch, it was all too literal. (CBS)
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Blog The "Last Lecture" Steve Hartman blogs on one professor's enduring legacy
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Photo Essay Assignment America Steve Hartman On Assignment. More Photos
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."
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.
"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.'"
"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?"
For most professors it's nothing more than a gimmick, but for Dr. Randy Pausch, the title "last lecture" was all too literal.To watch Randy Pausch's speech, click here
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.
"But let me be clear,” says Randy. “I'm not happy about what's going to happen. Leaving three little kids... that stinks.”
"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.”
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.”
Since Randy gave this talk a couple weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded it off the Internet.
"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."
"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."
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To watch Randy Pausch's speech,
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.





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See all 21 CommentsPosted by sblake63 at 08:02 PM : Sep 28, 2007
Not again man, get a life, who are you the God police?
Man, do you ever get out? get out of that room NOW
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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.
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.
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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!
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!
God Bless you.
I won''t distinguish your comment by reprinting it - but you represent everything that is wrong about organized religion - Get with it.
Posted by sea751952 at 08:10 AM : Sep 29, 2007
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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......
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