Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose “last lecture” about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book, has died. He was 47.
I remember watching the lecture shortly after it became available online and I don’t think there has been another time where I sat in front of a computer for well over an hour just listening to a lecture. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 instantly became an international sensation and was viewed by millions of people all around the globe.
He really speaks from the heart when he gives this lecture saying he doesn’t want pity and at the time he was speaking, he was probably healthier than most of the people in the audience. He said some very true things and here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
– When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care.
– The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.
– Don’t complain. Just work harder. That’s a picture of Jackie Robinson. It was in his contract not to complain, even when the fans spit on him.
– Find the best in everybody. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out.
I think this is the lecture he gave… (I can’t view the video because I am at work). I will confirm it when I get home in a few hours.