Randy Pausch

Is it possible to get a copy of the last lecture (the one featured on GMA 9/21)? I would use it for a presentation to students that I feel would be an inspiration.

Ze, I'm glad that you shared this with us. It's something that I would have never found with out your help. Thank you.

That is really great. I took a class from him back at UVa in the late 80's. He was very nice and passionate then, but I guess there is nothing like death to make you see life clearly. What a gift he gives...

Thanks for linking to that story/video What an amazing human being Dr. Pausch is.

So many wonderful points and a beautiful legacy. He's a brave man. Every day should be the last lecture. Imagineering, what a great occupation!

ow ow ow

and thanks for posting.

pop over to: http://www.etc.cmu.edu/global_news/?q=node/42

I think you can sign up for a DVD copy.

Love Itttttttttttttttttt

That is some of the best advice I have ever heard.
It hit me like a ton of bricks (even more effective than a brick wall!!!).

this was a great inspirational story. i have never heard of Dr. Pausch before but he sets a perfect example on how to live.

amazing, thank you Ze for putting it in front of me.

amazing, thank you Ze for putting it in front of me.

Wow, simply just blown away. What a great speaker. I have 3 kids too. I am a firm believer that everyone needs inspiration. Men, I feel need it even more. We tend to always try to show the hard side and not show any emotions. Mr. Pausch, I don't know you but from what I've seen in this video, you are a good man. Most inportantly a genuine man. Without the illness, you are the same person, hands down. One Love - My brother...

Thank you for making this lecture available to us. You learned his lesson on giving well. Thank you to you for the wonderful gift of sharing this lecture. I wish we all had people like Dr. Pausch in our lives. Best wishes and God speed.

Today, one of the creative team leaders at our office referred to Pausch's speech today in his feature column, which was about how you should 'Go for it', meaning you must leave your comfort zone to try for something you desire. It doesn't have to be big and earth-shattering. Even smaller risks in life are healthy, and in many ways, no less important than bigger ones.

I have never been so attentive during a lecture before. That was one of the most beautiful, inspiring, moving things I've ever experienced. Thank you so much for the link.

Thank you for posting the full version. A friend told me to watch this, but all I could find was the condensed version. He seems like a very special person, one that many of us would aspire to be like or be fortunate to know. His speech also puts things in perspective. Many great lessons for all.

many thanks for the link. It was worth every minute. Wouldn't have have found without your page. :-)

Is there anywhere to read his speech & print it.
thanks.
Barb

Wow, A guy who has no doubt changed the world.––at least his part of it. For the better of all.

I don't know about the stuffed animal goal though . . . even thought it makes sense in a wierd kind of way.

Wish there were a thousand more like him, he gives humans a good name! -wow what a nice change.

Thanks for the post - that was a good one.

I have just watched this incredible video. What a man, a teacher, a husband, a son, a father, a friend. The world would can be a better place if we would all take time to know someone like this.
Thank, Randy. I don't know you and never will but I sure wish I did.
Cathy

I knew the man personally and wow, he knows how to put on a show.

In reality, he was an utter pain to work under and generally a social blight on society. I don't think he was an actively malicious man, but his total lack of respect and care for other people permeated his life. Some of the less laudable things this man has done include the following:

- Having a female grad student dress up as an Alice in Wonderland booth babe to promote his research at E3.

- Requiring students to take a class they could have easily taught using the argument "You won't really know if it's a waste of time until you've already taken the course." (I can assure you, the course was a waste of time).

- Reducing a student to tears by verbally debasing her when she came to him with the concern that she wasn't sure if she was fitting in within the grad program that he was running.

- Touting undergraduate students as being a "good source of slave labor" for graduate student projects

- Becoming known for his lecture on time management where he advocates minimizing the amount of time interacting with other people to become more efficient (by any means necessary). His power point presentation is available here check out slides 28, 37, 38 and in slide 60 he teaches that ignorance is good. It's straight out of a Dilbert comic, but he means it. (also he was chronically late to meetings)

...and the list goes on. This man has certainly changed my world. I'm confidant that because of having to interact with this man, I'm a far more bitter and jaded individual.

Randy Pausch has done a great many things, this is for sure. However, not all of them have been admirable or good. I for one will not be shedding a tear for his passing, and from the many people I know who had to endure this man, I'm sure I will not be alone.

I hope I'm never like Randy Pausch.

We all do a great many things, Karma Adjuster, not all of them admirable or good. What is important is not our mistakes and missteps, but how we have responded when our backs are up against the wall, cornered by some tragic occurance beyond our control. There, we make a crucial choice about what--behind the social facade, mistakes, glories, what have you--we really are made of.

And when we get to that core, our mistakes are put in perspective. I am sure Randy is aligning his past truths with his sense of what matters now, and that can and should be a personal reconciliation.

Randy is made of courage and apparently no ill will for those who may have wronged him in life. May you, at the end of your own life, have the same sensibility. It is more life affirming than what you have expressed here, but the good news is--you have time to reflect if you want to. Have mercy, and eventually, someone will show it to you when it matters most.

We all do a great many things, Karma Adjuster, not all of them admirable or good. What is important is not our mistakes and missteps, but how we have responded when our backs are up against the wall, cornered by some tragic occurance beyond our control. There, we make a crucial choice about what--behind the social facade, mistakes, glories, what have you--we really are made of.

And when we get to that core, our mistakes are put in perspective. I am sure Randy is aligning his past truths with his sense of what matters now, and that can and should be a personal reconciliation.

Randy is made of courage and apparently no ill will for those who may have wronged him in life. May you, at the end of your own life, have the same sensibility. It is more life affirming than what you have expressed here, but the good news is--you have time to reflect if you want to. Have mercy, and eventually, someone will show it to you when it matters most.

wow, karma adjuster, you must be a saint. perhaps you should spend less time focusing on randy pausch's weaknesses and more on your own...

I just saw Randy on OPRAH giving his spiel and I was moved to tears.

It does NOT MATTER (to me) what he did before this show. He is teaching people about death and dying and doing it with humor and good will.

I commend him and hope I am as generous with my last days as he is being.

I just had triple bypass surgery, am 58 years old and wonder how long I have?

karma adjuster....get over it and move on. What you had to say had NO redeeming values at all, and you need to just keep your thoughts of Randy to yourself, or go tell it to a mirror, priest, or councelor. Sounds like you need at least one of them. Didn't your mother ever tell you that "if you can't say nothing nice...don't say it at all." Good luck to you, you'll need it in your dealings with life and the grudges you keep.

What bothers me is that Oprah did not ask 1 question about faith in God, or his belief (or lack of it) in life after death. Maybe he does not believe in God. If that's true, I feel even sorrier for him.

Doctor Randy God Bless you and your lovely family. I saw you on Miss Opera show a couple hours ago, and I am still in tears. Doc thanks for your courage , strength and bravery. God will take care of your beautiful family, you'll be an angel in heaven looking down over them, any how God is still in the healing buisness so who knows only God knows how long you will live.God bless you and your beautiful family. You have taught me a lot today. Thank you very much. GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY.

Dear Dr Randy I just saw you on Miss Opera a couple hours ago,and I'm still in tears. Doc thanks for your courage, strength,and bravery you'e a good man God will take care of your lovely familyyou'll be an angel in heaven looking over them, any how as we know God is still in the healing buisness,God bless you and your beautiful family only he knows how long you are going to live, so enjoy life on day at a time.THANK YOU

Dear Dr Randy I just saw you on Miss Opera a couple hours ago,and I'm still in tears. Doc thanks for your courage, strength,and bravery you'e a good man God will take care of your lovely familyyou'll be an angel in heaven looking over them, any how as we know God is still in the healing buisness,God bless you and your beautiful family only he knows how long you are going to live, so enjoy life on day at a time.THANK YOU

There are some things that are better left unsaid, and you Karma Adjuster are one of those. Randy Pausch is doing one of the greatest things for people, and that is trying to teach how to live a better life. I hope that NOONE listenes to your absured post and thinks of Randy any differently then a caring and heartfelt individual. But honestly I think we've lost tract of what we're actually supposed to be posting about and that is Randy Pausch, not karma adjuster. It is only taking up valiable space that could be used to give Randy the admiration he deserves.

Now to get back on the topic that we should all be discussing, Randy.

You have touched me in ways that I hope to take with me each and everyday. I don't think that you could prepare your family any better then you have. Your children are very fortinuate to have such a great father. They will be very blessed with your memory. I hope that someday I can touch half as many peoples lives as you were able to. Thank you Randy and may God bless you and take you under his wing.

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I CAN GET A COPY(VIDEO OR DVD) OF RANDYS SPEECH. I WAS SO INSPIRED AND THERE ARE A FEW FRIENDS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH.THANKYOU

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brutus@olypen.com

karma - tallying up your entire list of allegations would, even if accurate, pale in comparison to what your statements, timing and decision to air them publicly say about you as a human being.

Dear Randy,
I have read and heard testimony that Cancer CANNOT live or survive in an alkaline body. Please try drinking 1/2 tsp of baking soda in water at least once a day. It will destroy cancer cells. Or 1/4 tsp twice in a day. Oxygen will destroy cancer cells...you can get this from apple skins..cancer hates oxygen....please try to do what you can to alkalinlize your body....please try to call :Nutritional Living" Dr Ward Bond from Christian Television Network (CTN) he will talk to you and explain what to put in your diet.....Please, please try this. I strongly believe things can "seem" so grim and final that things can be reversed!!!! I believe it's Never too late to take yet another approach.

I was really impacted by this story. That was the best advice I have ever received. " regret not what you have done but what you haven't done"

I had the pleasure of randomly finding this video online and I was very touched. It's unfortunate that the NCI (National cancer institute) only receives approximately 1.9 billion dollars a year for cancer research. It is very unfortunate that because of this lackluster attempt to cure a disease that ravages the human body is so under prioritized by our federal government in terms of monetary support that we have to lose people like Randy and so many other people just like him.

What is even more disheartening is reading Linus Pauling PhD and his thoughts on the bureaucracies that organize cancer research, "Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud and that the major cancer research organizations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them." - Linus Pauling PhD

I feel very privileged to have found this video of his last lecture, and I hope his family stays strong.

-Brant

It is funny, because I watched the last lecture of Randy Pausch today and it just came at the right time for me. I have been living abroad away from family and old friends for over 5 years now and this experience brings a lot of lessons, both good but at times feelings of loniless and isloation creeped in. Or better, I allowed them to creep in. Randy's speech today made me reaslise again that life is what we make of it. I think during his Oprah talk he stated that 10% of life is black, 10% white and the 80% that is left is grey. And it is for us to fill in this greay-ness with light or with negativity. And after today, I am reminded again that we do ourselves and others much more honour if we turn to that light! So thank you very much for that Randy and for helping me to remember that again. Something my parents always taught me as well, but at times one forgets..

with love to you all, wietske

Hey Karma adjuster, no one wants to hear your negative comments. It's all about being positive in life. Must be great to be as perfect as you. ( Yes, that is sarcasim) And don't worry Karma, you are nothing like Randy, that is obvious.

Hi, I was a student of Randy's, just last year I guess. I graduated from the grad program he co-founded. He is one of the most important, insightful teachers I have ever had--and seeing the way he's been handling his struggle, I can only say he's still teaching me more than ever. A life lived with half the integrity and passion as Randy's would be a life well lived indeed.

I'm only posting this though, oddly enough, to back up what Karma Adjuster said. Randy is nothing if not tough. And there were times when his gracelessness, combined with a certain dash of self-acknowledged arrogance, served to hurt the people around him if they weren't used to hearing the brutal truth. So I don't think we should collectively pounce on someone if they share another side of the story.

Randy is a geek, one of the best I've ever met. Our commonest faults as a group is probably insensitivity. Acknowledging that seems to me to be good and healthy, because we can't fix a problem we don't understand. So it seems ironic that Adjuster displayed the same character flaw that he was pointing out in Randy.

-PL-

Karma Adjuster -- I know you too well. You are overly insensitive, insecure, and arrogant. Randy said something to you once that you took way too personally. He was more intelligent than you, more accomplished, and more recognized. You were envious and so you turned those ugly feelings in yourself around and made Randy a bad person. You even try to malign him secretly and anonymously on message boards. Even now that Randy is dying, you still can not let this go. You hate it that it his idealized and loved. Let go of the jealousy, Karma, and try to live a more peaceful life. Do this for yourself. --- Amy

Karma Adjuster -- I know you too well. You are overly insensitive, insecure, and arrogant. Randy said something to you once that you took way too personally. He was more intelligent than you, more accomplished, and more recognized. You were envious and so you turned those ugly feelings in yourself around and made Randy a bad person. You even try to malign him secretly and anonymously on message boards. Even now that Randy is dying, you still can not let this go. You hate it that it his idealized and loved. Let go of the jealousy, Karma, and try to live a more peaceful life. Do this for yourself, for your own karma--- Amy

Karma Adjuster - somehow Phil has acknowledged the same qualities you did, but in a way that isn't negative and snide. It doesn't matter what he did in the past, when he has put such an important, worthwhile message out TODAY. None of us are perfect - he may have been the arrogant person you both say he is/was. What is wrong with people today is that they choose to focus on the negative instead of acknowledging the positive. Forgiveness is a powerful tool and should be used in times like this.

After seeing Randy Pausch on Oprah this week, I did a Google search to learn more about him. That's how I came upon this web site.

I was very touched by the lecture that he gave on Oprah. After reading most of the comments here, I can see that my life & heart weren't the only ones impacted by this extraordinary ordinary man.

I too, have a few comments that I'd like to share. To those of you who know Mr. Pausch personally, either through friendships you may have formed with him, or those of you who are or have been students of his through out the years, I hope you realize how fortunate you are & have been to have him in your life.

I have read only one negative comment here & to the person who wrote it, I say this....

"Karma Adjuster",
First & foremost, I think what needs adjusting is your negative attitude.

I would think that Mr. Pausch has more important things to concern himself with at this point, than to worry about whether he rubbed one person the wrong way. If, in the past, he has offended anyone for any reason, I'm certain that the matters, if any, have long since been resolved. If not, then I recommend that the affected individuals who may have issues with Mr. Pausch take such matters up with him personally & privately, & not plaster them as a means to right a personal vendetta on a public message board.

I am not an overly religious person by any stretch of the imagination, however, people do make mistakes & it isn't up to us as individuals to judge one another. That right belongs to One, & One alone, in my opinion. God isn't in the business of condemning, He's in the business of forgiving. From reading your comments, I got the impression that you feel superior & above all else. If that is the case, then you may wish to consider contacting Pope Benedict in regards to the proper procedure of having you declared a Saint. Despite your attitude of superiority, I'm certain that you have made your share of mistakes, so in my opinion, you have no right to point fingers & criticize anyone else for theirs. A few scriptures come to mind....
"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
"Take the log out of your own eye, before trying to remove the splinter out of someone else's eye."
"You reap what you sow."

Obviously, Mr. Pausch's life & teachings have had a positive impact on many people, far more so than the negative comments of one. The bottom line is pick & choose your battles. Stand up for something that matters & don't sweat the small stuff. The
negative attitude you displayed in your comments, is one of the things that's wrong with the world today. There's far too much anger & hatred running rampant these days. Remember that what goes around, comes around. Apparently you're an "Eeyore". I suggest & honestly hope that you're able to let go of the grudges that you're holding on to. If you don't, then I'm afraid that you'll be in for a difficult lesson to learn. That being this....If you don't change your ways, then you're likely to find yourself all alone at the times when you need a friend the most. That would make for a very lonely existence. I hope what I've said gives you or anyone else who happens to read this something to think about.

As for Mr. Pausch, yes, I believe there are such things as miracles, & that there is a Power far greater than any medical Dr. that is going to decide the course of things. I hope Mr. Pausch feels & knows that. As to the question asked here....Whether he believes in that higher power....My opinion is that it is a personal & private matter, between each person & God. Personally, given the content of Mr. Pausch's last lecture when he appeared on Oprah, my feeling is that he does believe in that Higher Power. After all, he did say that he is open to a miracle, & hopefully & if it's meant to be he will receive one. A positive attitude is a major stepping stone to over coming adversity, & Mr. Pausch certainly has that. So, I along with everyone else, wish him all the best. Whatever happens, I hope he finds a sense of contentment in knowing that he has deeply impacted & touched the lives of many people in a positive way. If only everyone could say such a thing, then this world would be a much better place. Thanks to everyone here for letting me share my thoughts.

Poor sad Karma, you are one of those people that blames everyone else for their problems. I hate that for you. You will miss out on so much in life and be very alone and again blame others for your state of affairs. I wish that you could understand how much your attitude toward life will damage not only your career, but your personal life. Take responsibility for yourself and quit judging others. You have plenty of your own flaws to work on.

being a university instructor for years and having my "last lecture" coming up this december, along with also having a young child, prof. randy's situation, message, and spirit has had an impact on me. the strength he is displaying, for the sake of his family, is incredibly admirable. i anticipate that the positive subconscious effects it will have on his children's lives and future will be very significant. while my last lecture will most certainly not be as stirring and insightful, i will likely think of his message at that time at some point, and shall continue to be grateful for all the blessings in my life. best wishes to prof. randy and his family.

oh, and to karma adjuster: you did confirm one thing; you truly carry bitterness in your heart. bummers for you dude/dudette. careful, it may have equally destructive properties and effects on your life as a cancer. at the very least, it seems to have people sadly shaking their head at this side of your personality.

I do not know Mr. Pausch. My only knowledge of him comes from the frequent tv coverage he has recently had and the numerous postings that can be found on the web related to his condition and his final lecture.

Alot of people on this blog have lashed out at Karma but it is important to understand that not everyone is affected by Mr. Pausch's speech the same way. Some have said that Karma must have a miserable life because of the statements that were in the posting. But, I also was not moved by the speech. In fact, it seemed to me to be one of the greatest examples of self-promotion that I have ever witnessed. I don't know how many times he repeated "I only have a few months to live" because I stopped counting and found myself responding audibly "Ok, I get it". Perhaps no one else noticed how many times he has said "This speech was only intended to be heard by my children". As a father who has two children who are now both adults, I have to say that his statement seems completely phony to me. If it seems genuine to you then more power to you but it does not to me. The whole thing just doesn't work for me. He is clearly an articulate and effective public speaker but that does not mean that I'm buying everything he is saying. I do not believe that he will be gone in 3-6 months (as he keeps repeating). I also don't believe that he will be gone in 5 years.

We are a "feel good" nation and that is what made his speech so successful. To me, there was nothing of true value in his speech and throughout the entire thing I felt that the message being conveyed (if people could stop crying long enough to interpret it) was "hey, look at me".

Karma good posting for speaking your mind instead of following the herd into "group think".

Hey Negative Nelly (aka Karma Adjuster):
It is a shame that people like you are in this world. Anyone who puts others down for petty things (especially when a man is dying!) proves one thing - you are insecure and jealous. This doctor did not address his lecture to you, and didn't ask for your opinion. Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinion, however what happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all"?! Karma is a bitch Mr. Adjuster, and if I could take some of the 'thoughtful' words that came right out of your mouth it would go something like this: I for one will not be shedding a tear for your passing whenever that day comes, and from the many people who may know you, I'm sure I will not be alone.

Randy's lesson is a blessing to me. He has touched the lives of many people on this planet. He recognized his mission in life and attempted to accomplish his life goals which is to teach others about what matters in life. The quality of our life is determined by how we lived life, our intergrity and ways in which we touched others life as we walked on this journey of life or life's path. At the end of the day....we will die while the next generation occupy this earth. Luckily, we still have opportunity to change our lives and strenghten things.

Randy have had time to prepare himself for death, some may never have that opportunity. I recently lost my only "very healthy brother " in a helicopter crash at the age of 48yrs. It happened in a flash and he was gone. Karma Adjuster......You too will die someday. Retrace your thought processes, forgive so that you can have peace like Randy.
From eaglegal

Karmer adjuster i am sorry for you. you are such a evil nasty unforgiving piece of work. Please get some help soon. i wonder what your last days will be like.

If you knee-jerk weinies can't acknowledge the truth about this arrogant, insensitive jerk, just because he is dying, you need a course in reality therapy.

A jerk is a jerk is a jerk ... and dying doesn't fix that.

Karma,...in the words of Randy, "an appology has three parts: 'I'm sorry,' 'it's MY fault,' and 'how can I make it better?'"
Karma, malice held within you remains with you and you alone. The good news is, if you, like many of us, are following Randy's prognosis blog you'll find that YOU still have time to appologize. Given his current perspective, I'm certain Randy would love to hear from you personally so that YOU might rectify any ill (and allow him equal chance to do the same.)
Kudos for your honesty...and praise to you (albeit premature) for your pending appology. After all, ironically Randy was also a deliverer of a truth I'm sure is evident in your case, "No one is pure evil, if you wait long enough you will see the good in them." That Randy can find that of you before he leaves this life is my only hope. The ball is in your court.

For the most part, karma's opinion is an expression of his experience of Randy. It has clearly been an unpleasant one for him.

There is a lot of talk about 'judgement' in the following postings.
However, to label, and deny someone their experience is the ultimate judgement.

You are not a bad person because you feel 'bad' or a good person because you feel 'good'.

To be a healthy, aware, authentic and effective human being requires a recognition of our full self. This requires us to know our good and bad feelings.

Describing someone as 'overly sensitive' just implies they are more sensitive than you. I feel the judgement here, however, I would say that increased sensitivity is a good thing.
Unfortunately in a relative society that only chooses to see one side, this is clearly very difficult for karma to express.
I'm not surprised Karma would appear as 'insecure'. It takes great courage to express ones self when the tide is against you.

Instead of being so quick to judge karma, take a moment to consider if he is providing an opportunity to see a fuller picture. Something we haven't collectively envisioned yet.

Randy makes a strong case for the ego and following your dreams. Mind over matter. "If things get in your way, life is testing you to see how much you want it"
Could it not also be true that when life but obstacles in your path, it is guiding you in a different direction that would be better for you in the long run?

Many outstanding leaders have pursued their goals to success in their eyes. However, it doesn't mean their vision was a celebrated one for them or society as a whole.

Nature and our health is the surest way to bring us back into balance and alignment with the greater good of humanity.

On hearing that Randy had cancer, I immediately asked myself, why is his body destroying itself?

Our body and our feelings are our greatest teacher, more than any outside opinion.
To be driven by someone who believes they are superior and knows better than you is actually quite limiting to our development.

It is often hard to recognize because we are full of conditioning that makes someone else is responsible, taking care of us, knows best, is in charge. Parents, teachers, priests, politicians, media.
We tend to glorify them when we like what we hear and give them general authority over us.
When something is delivered by someone who is 'successful' in their own right and they believe they are serving you for your greatest good. This is very inspiring and seductive. Which is all well meaning.

But what if they are wrong?

Many people assumed that karma's opinion was not welcome. Well the truth is, you are wrong, because I wanted to hear it. You may not like what I say. But it is the truth.
I don't agree with karma that 'Randy is a blight on society' but I was interested to hear that he felt humiliated and oppressed by him.
No one likes to feel 'malice' but it is a real feeling borne of oppressive behaviour.

Is randy oppressing another sensitive more humble side to himself when he insists he knows whats best all the time?
I like to see vision and openness in people.
But does it have to take death to bring us to that?

I prefer universal sincerity over ' personal happiness'. Once we all learn to be sincere and can speak our whole truth without fear of being slammed down, we may then start to find solutions to our global issues. The world can only then become a much more tolerant and harmonious place...... which would actually make me, personally, very happy!

I guess the real argument here -- is it reasonable to tell an asshole he is an asshole if he is dying?
Even if it's Saddam Hussein.
I think not.
Pouring a can of soda on the back sit of a new car tells me enough about a man for me not to like him.
Video and lecture is an obvious act of self-advertising. Randy himself said he is embarrassed about it, and that's exactly why. If he did it for the kids, it should've been just for the kids.
I also agree with what westvaco said on October 26, 2007 6:44 PM
For those sissies who were overly moved by this video I suggest taking a look at youtube clips of our boys and girls dying in Iraq. You'll find something real to cry about.

Some lessons from Randy Pausch’s last lecture that especially moved me:

1. Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things.
2. Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
3. Never lose the child-like wonder.
4. If we do something which is pioneering, we will get arrows in the back. But at the end of the day, a whole lot of people will have a whole lot of fun.
5. Be good at something; it makes you valuable.
6. If you live your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, and the dreams will come to you.

Did not Randy Pausch say tell the truth? Did not Karma Adjuster tell the truth? Do you know if he did or did not? If you severely criticized Karma Adjuster, then you really got nothing of importance from Prof. Pausch's last lecture.

>> I would think that Mr. Pausch has more important things to concern himself with at this point, than to worry about whether he rubbed one person the wrong way. If, in the past, he has offended anyone for any reason, I'm certain that the matters, if any, have long since been resolved.<<

Dont be so sure of that Happy Heart! I never knew the guy personally but a lot of professors have that quality of being very arrogant and insensitive. Its not my place to judge the character of someone I dont know but Karma Adjuster I really Do sympathize with you-but did you know this guy personally or did you simply know someone who was a grad student of his or something like that?
If I presume the former than I think you should talk with him about this before its too late. When a person is dying, the right thing to do is to try to make peace with those that they rubbed the wrong way and that they hurt.
&vasche-I agree with what you said but cut the pro-war bullshit propaganda! It aint got NOTHIN' to do with Randy Pausch.

Sorry to get political but Bush has done inifinitely worse at the hands of ALL of us(by not stopping it, yes) and he will never be this insightful. I agree that if you are just going to trash talk him shut the 'ell up. I haven't done as much as he and if I were to be fortunate to be in such a position to make such a speech I am sure there are jerks in MY life who would remember every jerky thing I had done as well. Thanks RP. Your lecture changed the course of my life...even if only slightly now. I feel a deeper impact. And to the nay sayers...do something about it or shuttie! The man is dying quite quickly for f's sake. Choose perspective. EVERY smart person gets arrogant.

I have read, with a great deal of interest, as a former teacher in Europe, now retired, all the comments posted. I have been made aware of R.P.'s special situation by my son, who selected
this 'special event' as a subject in his toastmaster speech to other club members. He was that impressed.

And so should we be. It takes an extraordinary man, at this young age, to face probably life's end, with his 'enthusiasm', whether true or not totaly true

Karma Adjustor brought real life to the story of this man and for that I thank him. We all have experience both with people who have learned from us and others who react negatively ...for a long list of reasons that are part of the nature of each person. If I can stop taking it personally, I can just experience compassion and curiosity. As a hospice volunteer with cancer patients, I recognize many facets in Randy's words and in his wordless expressions, facets that my mind is ready to label as positive or negative. But what I judge "good" and "bad" are just different sides of the process and are in all of us. I learn from everyone and hopefully become wiser and more accepting with every year.

We live in a nation of mindless, benumbed positivitism whereby if one doesn't express an idea that is completely positive, one's sentiments are dismissed.

While it is certainly tragic that Randy Pausch has a terminal illness at a young age, and he shouldn't have to face a brick wall at this point in his life, I, too, find his grandstanding in his last months of life off-putting.

But we all love feel-good stories with lots of emotion, and his is the ultimate one.

Karma Adjuster's experience is as valid as those who give Professor Pausch a thumbs up. Why is it that only positive things are allowed to be said? And why would it be inappropriate, even now, when Professor Pausch is dying, that he not be held accountable for the harm he has caused others? It's like excusing a child who did something unkind because he's a child.

Would it not be better if we accepted Randy Pausch for who he is -- that is -- a complex human being who, in fact, helped and harmed others?

People are complex. No one is all bad and all good, and, I strongly suspect, Randy Pausch fits into that category as well. Dying people are no less accountable for the good and harm they have caused others than anyone else. In fact, if one is dying, one is MORE accountable. Let's get the issues resolved as soon as possible - no?

There have been two posts here that have attested to this man's insensitivity to women, to students of both sexes, and to the feelings of others. I would think sweeping this stuff under the rug would be the worst possible thing to do. Rather, it is the perfect occasion, given the gravity of Prof. Pausch's situation, for him to make right what was wrong. Perhaps if he could remove himself from the spotlight, cameras and audiences long enough to meet one-on-one with those whom he has hurt, he would discover real peace. But then, no one would know about this -- it wouldn't be recorded by the cameras, would it?

Who are we to judge, you say? If someone else experienced pain at this man's hand, why WOULDN'T we hold him accountable? Are we a nation of infants who can never be held accountable for what we say and do? Never be corrected?

I beg to differ. We are all responsible for what we say and do (in this case, said and did) to others, whether we are dying or not.

Karma Adjuster experienced this man first-hand, and so did the second student. Isn't it interesting that the only two people on these postings who actually knew and worked with Randy Pausch posted far less hysterical, worshipping posts but more measured, realistic ones about this man? Although they express it differently, they essentially are saying Pausch is a multi-dimensional man, capable of teaching well, inspiring others and also hurting others. In other words, he's human.

Why is it our society has such trouble with the concept of each person assuming responsibility for himself? Current circumstances notwithstanding, Randy Pausch has a compelling reason to resolve these issues with these two people as soon as possible, and they have a responsibility to listen to him with an open mind and heart.

Denying Pausch's responsibility because we all want a participate in a touchy-feely story is the real void here. Resolution is only possible when the offender takes responsibility. If Randy Pausch apologized with sincerity to these two former students, I am certain their anger would, in part, dissipate.

Karma Adjuster in essence is saying this man is not a saint -- he was very capable of and in fact, DID inflict harm -- and I'm hurting. One cannot repress harm caused by others. And I would say to Karma Adjuster, confront Randy Pausch this very second so that both you and he can resolve this before it's too late. It's wonderful opportunity for you both and is far more important than Pausch's last-ditch grab for the limelight.

Terminal cancer does not excuse terminal offenders. These two former students were courageous.

I love some of what Randy Pausch says in his lecture. Indeed, he does share some life lessons. But his personal responsibility to others is more important than evangelizing on TV in the final months of his life. Way more important. An apology and a dialogue needs to open up -- right now.

Some of you make this sound like he's hitting the dinner circuit with his "stump speech."

He conducted a last lecture for a small group of people (400) at CMU; mostly current/former students, collegues, and friends. His message grew a life of its own and he ended up on Oprah.

How is this self-serving or some sort of advertisement?

How is Randy Pausch's speech self-serving? Go to his web page and read it's contents. The entire page resonates "Randy Pausch" and even overshadows his family. Randy has a power point document on his web site. Read it and look closely at all of the slides. On one slide you will see his memo pad which he had personally designed with his own photo on it. I seriously doubt that anyone could possibly love Randy Pausch more than he loves himself.

Someone in these postings said that Randy says "I only have a few months to live" several times in his speech. After listening to his speech I agree that he does say that way too many times for it to seem like anything other than a self-serving effort to me.

I also can not help but be a little curious as to how much money has been donated to him from viewers and readers as a result of his final speech. Not to the cancer cure foundation he mentions on his web page but to him personally. Another thing I agree with is that he will not pass away like he says he will in three to six months.

Students who personally knew Randy have described him as arrogant and extremely self-centered and from what I have seen of Randy they are correct in their assessment of him.

Blah, blah, blah, blah. Stop talking, stop whining, live your lives and stop GOSSIPING! Geez! Don't you people have anything better to talk about than all of this? I think we would ALL be better off (including me!) if we got off the computer and started living our lives and helping other people instead of spending all this time trying to analyze whether a dying man did or did not live a good life. How would you like it if it were YOU people were analyzing, whether good or bad???

I have seen the light. I am confident that after reading the clearly well thought-out and well structured poetry from November 25, 2007 10:09 PM above I know that I am a far wiser man than I was before.

Realizing the error of my ways makes me want to apologize to Randy Pausch. Randy, I'm sorry for saying that you were arrogant for placing your own photo on your memo pad. I was unaware that everyone else on the planet had done the same thing except me, which means that I am actually the abnormal one.

I'm also sorry for saying that you repeat "I'm dying" to much. In fact, according to the average life expectancy for U.S. male citizens I now know that I have less than forty-five years left to walk the face of the earth. I intend to use this knowledge and follow your shining example and start letting people know about my ultimate passing.

As person who only has forty-five years left I vow to go back and watch the Opra episode again and this time I WILL JOIN THE BOO-HOOing instead of simply saying BOOOOO which is what I originally did. As a man who only has forty-five years left, I don't mean I'll do a little boo-hooing. As a man who only has forty-five years left, I mean I'm going to roll around on the floor and scream and holler and cry out "Why..... WHY.....WHYYYYYYY".

Unfortunately, my final comment (as a man who only has forty-five years left) is something that I can not apologize for (as much as I would like to now that I have been shown the light). As a man who only has forty-five years left, I can not apologize for saying that I do not believe that you (Randy Pausch) will pass away in six months - I can't apologize for that because I know that I'm right.

In conclusion, as a man who only has forty-five years left I believe I will pass on Kinda cynicals great suggestion of not posting to this blog again. I'm late joining this blog but I will make more postings because 6 months after the date that Randy Pausch gave his final speech, when it becomes obvious to everyone with a functioning brain cell that he is still alive and attending concerts of the Police or some other nonsense, you can be absolutely certain that I'm going to post "Wow, there's a big surprise".

Of course at that time I will be posting it as a man who will have roughly forty-five years left. I don't want everyone crying tonight because I only have forty-five years left - Be strong.

I just came across this blog, and would like to enter some thoughts about what is being said.

- I was surprised by the negative comments, but glad to see them. That allows for discussion. Randy is passionate and has strong beliefs. I think it’s normal that some do not agree.
- No need to accept ‘everything’ Randy writes. Take a few of the things that work for you. Time management…great concept, I refuse to implement it.
- So you take a few (and there are many) of his great ideas. From most people able to change one of two ways in which you spend your day, you are doing quite well. Personal change is difficult. For me, the persistence, the notion that you need clear goals, the notion that getting to those goals requires focus, the ‘experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want’, are just a few. Actually the most important one is ‘you can’t change the cards you are dealt, only how you play them’, which to me says stop whining and complaining, and go do something good for yourself and for others. It also says whining is a waste of time, and for all of us, there is too little time.
- Where i get a little annoyed is with the notion that Randy isn’t about to die. Three months or thirteen months 85% of people with this type of pancreatic cancer aren’t around in five years. And the notion of feeling sorry because you only have 45 years to live. That is one you didn’t understand. And actually, i think that is the central point. Randy is saying 45 months or 45 years, you need to purposely go about making the most of them every day.
- Finally the notion that Randy is sensationalizing his experience. On that one, ‘there but the grace of g-d you and I’. And gone through the treatments, the pain, the chemo, and still having the resiliency to not ‘quit’, for me, that is inspiring.
- Regarding fame, I think Randy taped this for his children who are too young to remember some of what their Dad stood for. The rest was ‘viral marketing’; many found inspiration in his message, and asked him to explain and to elaborate.

All of this becomes very personal. It’s hard to be as passionate and purpose driven as Randy is without having a few disagree. One of the bloggers said that they had had enough of Randy. OK. But the evidence suggests that person is probably in the minority. That graduate students have come to the university to carry on the work, speaks for itself.

If nothing else, i believe ‘you see what you get’. For me, Randy is an inspiration and a hero. If under similar circumstance i show 10% of the grace he has shown, i will consider that a victory. And if i achieve 30% of the goals (which i have now written down) i will consider the remainder my life well lived.

And isn’t that really the gift? Randy has made me want to be a better person, a better father, a better son, a better scientist (put your own vocation in), and a person who gives more than I receive.

Not only that, he has given me a formula, a framework to achieve that. Not so bad for a sixty minute lecture.

I read a report today that Randy is going to be paid nearly $7 million dollars for a book deal on his final lecture.

I think you misunderstand the reason that I strongly disagree with Randy's message. It is not because of the message itself. The message itself is exceptional. The issue I have is with the way he delivers the message. I have noticed that most people love his final lecture and a small percentage say that something stinks about the message because it clearly serves a purpose. The words "I'm dying" are so powerful that they do not need to be repeated. So, if someone repeats those words several times over the course of a speech then to me it is only going to come across as serving a purpose for him. To me, that is shameful and pathetic. When I watch the Opra video and see an audience full of women crying over a man they don't know simply because he is a masterful public speaker it makes it seem even more pathetic because it also seems manipulative.

I'm glad that you feel changed or better because of his speech. I personally feel that it was plastic.

Regarding him dying - A common thing that I've noticed that his supporters do is they repeat his very words about dying over and over. I do not believe that he will be gone 6 months from the date of his speech. I believe he will be around to collect every penny of the $7M. If you think he will then I have no additional comments other than 6 mos from the date of his speech we will see if I am wrong.

Regarding me dying in 45 years you may have misunderstood that it was an attempt at sarcasm on my part because no one should feel sorry for me having a terminal condition (called aging) and no one should feel sorry for Randy Pausch. He has managed to set himself up quite nicely. I for one would love a $7M book deal just because I keep repeating that I'm dying.

Would I like to get a $7M book deal? Would I like to meet the Police? Would I like to do any of the special things Randy is getting to do? Absolutely!! Would I trade my life before reaching my fiftieth birthday to get those things? Never in a million years.

Roger, I truly hope that you are right and that Dr. Pausch is still alive after 6 months. I hope that he gets as much time as possible with his wife and children. And I do hope that he lives long enough to write that book and get the money that comes with it. He deserves it because he will ultimately pay a heavy price for it. Dr. Pausch will most likely die soon, even if he does get more than the 3 to 6 months he stated so frequently.

It seems to me that there are two reactions to Dr. Pausch: 1) he is near sainthood; or 2) he is a phony. In MY personal experiences, I've found that in most things in life, the truth is somewhere in the middle. He probably has been arrogant. He’s a teacher and he’s at the top of his field. We teachers do adore the hero-worship that comes with the job. It’s one of the reasons we put up with all the other crap that also comes with the job. And unfortunately, being at the top of your field tends to give you a pass on arrogance. Dr. Pausch, himself, admitted he has been arrogant in the past. It’s very difficult to overcome personality flaws like that. But I have a gut feeling that he has earnestly tried to work on it.

Even if he has done some awful things in his past (and who hasn’t?), perhaps he has “seen the light.” I have an uncle that was a complete jerk for the first 50 years of his life. Then he had to have emergency quadruple-bypass surgery. Since then, he has been a completely different person. He is now a joy to be with and I love him very much. I think facing his mortality led him to reveal a side of himself that none of us (except his wife) ever saw. Dr. Pausch said in his lecture, “…wait long enough
and people will surprise and impress you.” It was certainly true in my uncle’s case. And maybe Dr. Pausch was talking about himself a little bit there. We’ll probably never know.

How you see this lecture largely depends on your own life experiences. Right now, I find it inspiring. Had I seen it four years ago when I was very bitter about circumstances in my life, I may have written it off as being naïve and overly optimistic. Even now, when he kept talking about the wall and it being a way to prove how much you want something, I got twinges of bitterness and cynicism. My personal wall was so high that I could have spent the rest of my life trying to climb it and still never reach the top. Ultimately I decided to go in a different direction. It certainly wasn’t because I didn’t want the prize enough. It was to protect myself from ending up a bitter old woman. But ultimately, there was a lot more in the speech that I COULD relate to.

I’m grateful that Dr. Pausch gave this lecture, regardless of why he gave it. I draw inspiration from it, as do many other people. And I’m sure his children will treasure it in the future, no matter how much longer he lives.

Randy Pausch will not receive $7M from the book deal. The deal was struck with the author.

Thanks for clarifying - actually I think I read that Dr. Pausch's estate and the author will split the proceeds from the book.

You can tell if someone is capable of evaluating something objectively by their ability to mention both the positive and the negative. Even I have made positive comments about Randy Pausch (articulate effective speaker) but his supporters have him under such an enormous "halo effect" that in their eyes he can do no wrong.

Athena,
You say that you hope that I'm right about Randy living longer than 6 mos so that he can spend time with his family. Don't worry. He will live longer than 6 mos but it is unlikely that he will spend much of that time with his family if his current trend continues.

On Sep 4, 2007 Randy said that he was moving with his family to VA to create memories for his children. However, what he actually did is the following:
1. Spend significant time with anyone willing to listen to his story
2. Spend time with the Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Go on a "kidless vacation" to see Sting backstage
4. Started working on his book
5. Go diving off the Cayman islands with his buddies
6. Get a speaking part in the next Star Trek movie

Sounds like he's really spending a lot of time with the kids doesn't it?

A persons credibility can easily be determined by evaluating what they do vs what they say they are going to do. Randy Pausch is a man with no credibility. All that anyone would have to do to form an opinion about Randy Pausch's credibilty is go to his web site and then see how closely he comes to doing the things that he says he will do. A hint: He's not doing so good right now but he's back from the Caymans so maybe he will change (although I seriously doubt it).

On bitterness: It is interesting that you mention that Athena. I remember back in the good ol' days when people posted similar comments about Karma Adjuster. Let's see if I understand this - If anyone makes a negative comment about Randy Pausch then that can only occur because the person must be bitter or have a miserable life. I have a family that I cherish. I have a very good job and I'm successful at what I do. If I had terminal cancer I personally would say damn the interviews, Caymans, Steelers, and Star Trek. I would truly spend every precious moment with my family. You stated that you are an educator but it is narrow statements about bitterness which make me think ???. The professors that I respect the most (and learned the most from) while working on my undergraduate and graduate degrees were the ones who looked hollistically at issues. Maybe that is because I work (and was educated) in a world (math and sciences) where the discovery of truth is vital to your success. This is a skill that Randy Pausch's supporters (yourself included) clearly do not possess. The prevailing mantra for them is "His words sound good and make me feel good so I believe everything he says". Ergo halo effect. I actually feel sorry for Randy's supporters because they seem extremely naive to me and I feel that the few posters who see through him are capable of looking beyond the BS.

Some questions that Randy Pausch's supporters never seem to ask:
1. Why did he make his statement on Sep 4 about spending time with his family but then do such a poor job of actually doing that?
2. Why did Randy repeatedly state on Oprah that he "will be gone in a few months" when he knows that no licensed MD ever told him that he would be dead by March 18, 2008? Randy is an intelligent person. He understood the effect it would have to say "I will be gone in a few months" and that is why he repeated those words.
3. And the best for last - Who is Sarah Gold? Our good friend Norman Rich above states that the entire Randy Pausch story grew virally. Norman may like to believe that, and I'm quite certain that Randy wants everyone to believe that but I can not help but be curious by the postings by "Sarah Gold" (not just in this blog - all over the web).

Norman also stated his feelings about "giving more than you receive". Perhaps this is something he practices. Since it does not take advanced statistical analysis to figure out that truly giving more than you receive necessarily creates a net deficit then anyone who actually does this would be poor. But please don't suggest that this is something that Randy practices. Because to do so is insulting. Randy has always taken more than he gives. His new book deal will be an exponential continuation of that.

Regarding sainthood - Let's go ahead and take that off the table. Randy Pausch is absolutely not a Saint. Anyone who believes he is, is simply too lazy to research the man himself. He is deceptive, manipulative and shamefully profiting off of the sympathy and emotions of others.

Randy's actions over the past couple of months remind me of the Tim McGraw song, "Live like you were dying". He has become famous, and has been given many opportunities that he would not have had in a normal lifetime, but who cares?? Are you affected in some way by what he is able to do because people think he is inspiring?
I was one of the 400 people able to go to his lecture. He could not believe that the room was actually filled, and he was very humbled that people had been in line for hours to make sure that they were let in. He had no idea that his talk would be so popular. And he was genuine in telling us that he didn't give the lecture for us- but for his kids.

re: Randy Pausch being alive in six months ...
Research pancreatic cancer. It is quickly terminal. There are NO survival rates and generally pancreatic cancer victims die within 12 - 18 months of diagnosis.
He was first diagnosed in September of 2006. For him to be told in August of 2007 that he only has a few months to live lines up with medical data about pancreatic cancer.
My Father died in November 2004, 14 months after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and many of those months were full of debilitating treatments. I am sure Randy Pausch has suffered the same. My father was 71 when he died . . . he was granted many more years.
My prayers are with Randy Pausch and his family.

I just read some of the comments on this page. I am very angry, I am angry that an apparent jealous scumbag named Karma Adjuster is allowed to stay around on this earth. What Karma claimed professor Pausch had done sounds so trivial comparing to what Karma had shown of himself.

Greetings,
Several people have commented with disapproval on the many times Randy mentioned dying in his Last Lecture. I did not take offense because I know how strong denial is in confronting the unacceptable and the inevitable end of life. Denial can permit one to continue on as if nothing has changed and no consequences result from behaviors and realities. Denial serves a useful purpose as a shock absorber in response to painful reality, but locks up process and progress in accepting that which can not be changed. Denial is very difficult to surrender. Alcoholism is called a disease of denial. If denial is surrendered then one is left with the decision of how to meet life on life's terms-- and how to keep on meeting it day by day. How can one stay conscious, free of denial? Own the reality, name it and accept it; live with it in the companionship of others who choose one day at a time to live, fully alive to the present.
I believe Randy is combating denial with the same tool that recovering alcoholics use every time they introduce themselves in meetings: "My name is Bill W and I am an alcoholic." To those who can bear it, "My name is Randy and I am dying." calls forth a response, "hello Randy, welcome to the fellowship of those who pray, "God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

We are all dying...and this man is actually lucky enough to have an actual time frame to live out the rest of his dreams before he goes.

Unlike my sister who went to a hospital fo a sore stomach and was gone in less than 12 hours with no real warning.

We are ALL going to die...isn't that reason enough to start trying to be more positive and enlightened with all the moments of living we have...

I have a brother I don't really like...he has a brain tumor. May not be around to long. I don't forgive who he was in the past, but I see no reason to ruin my life being negative over what happened in the past.

I wish peace and positivity for all. Let the man do what he will with his life...and do you and your life.

His family is in my prayers tonight...

Roger, you are certainly entitled to your opinions, as is everyone else. I find it unsettling that you will claim "victory" if Randy is fortunate enough to live beyond mid March 2008. You somehow believe that your opinions will be validated and everyone else's will be proved wrong. I think you need to find something more productive to focus on.

This is phil again, the second student to comment above. I was googling for Randy because I wanted to read the latest on how he was doing, and I was surpised to see this in the first page of results. I've read all of the new posts, and i'm amazed at the amount of vitriol being exchanged.

Randy has his flaws, as we all do. But as far as I can tell, phoniness isn't one of them. If anything, it's the exact opposite; I suspect he stresses "I'm dying" numerous times through the speech not because he wants our sympathy, but because it's the cold hard truth and he takes comfort and strength in absolutes.

During my first semester at the ETC, Randy's outspokenness and directness did upset a fair number of people. But he also took the chance towards the end of the class to talk to us about how he knew how arrogant he is, and how long he's worked to improve his attitude. My friends and I were impressed. Say what you will, but anyone who can stand up and talk frankly about his personal shortcomings when he owes nothing of the sort makes a strong positive impression on me. I consider myself extremely privileged to have had a chance to learn from him. I still am.

To Roger: if you think Randy is a phony who is milking his situation for a lucrative book deal, why bother writing so many lengthy replies full of bitterness and spite? Surely, Randy's neither the first nor the last fake. So unless you're still going after Milli Vanilli, I don't understand why you would exert so much effort trying to change our opinions of him. You won't change mine.

-PL-

To those who would criticize out of resentment and anger I offer a scriptural truth from Ecclesiastes 7:21,22 which says in part : "...do not give your heart to all the words that people may speak, that you may not hear your own servant calling down evil upon you. For your own heart well knows even many times that you , even you, have called down evil upon others." To "Karma Adjuster" I can only discern that your chosen moniker indicates a resentful vengeful heart. Can you not move on with life with a grateful and forgiving spirit? I hope you can for the sake of those whom you desire to befriend. And to Roger, if what he is doing is keeping him alive longer, more power to him.

To Roger
Get a life. Stop caring so much about other people, grow up, move away from Mummy and start looking after yourself.

Cynthia,
Randy was not told in Aug 07 that he would be dead in a few months. Making a statement of certainty like that is not what doctors do.

Randy's words on Oprah were his alone. No doctor ever told him "Mr. Pausch, it is certain that you will be dead in a few months" and yet Randy repeated those very words over and over. In fact I would never have posted to this blog if Randy's words had been "I may be gone in a few months" instead of "I will be gone in a few months". Repeating those words over and over told me that he had an ulterior agenda. Am I to believe that Randy completed the entire body of work necessary to earn a PhD but that he does not understand that those two sentences do not say the same thing? That perhaps it was a mistake on his part to substitute "will" for "may" or "might"? Randy chose his words purposefully even though he knew that they were not true. How do I know that he knew his words were not true? On Oct 19 Randy, himself, reported that the palliative treatment was working. A few days after reporting that the treatment was working he went on Oprah and repeated over and over "I will be gone in a few months". As far as I'm concerned, all of his embellishments and deception has made this the greatest BS story of 2007 and I am very confident that he will NOT be dead by the 1 year anniversary of his speech.

His speech would never have carried the same emotion and sympathy that it had if he said "I may be gone in a few months". Part of the power came from the finality and the fact that his children may be too young to remember him. Without those words there would not have been a fraction of the interest in his story and there certainly would never have been a $7M book deal. Randy Pausch is very intelligent and he understood the power that his words would have and that is why he repeated them so much in his speech and that is why he repeats them so much on his website.

To those who say that this entire story has grown virally I would say again that this story has only grown virally if the name of the virus is Randy Pausch. Randy knows better than anyone else on this planet about the true genesis of "Sarah Gold". I have never seen more blatant marketing.

Roger, the vulture is YOU. Randy had an intuition; that he was being stalked by someone who wished destruction upon him. He may have projected this onto a large bird he saw overhead at some point. Then maybe he rearranged the pictures he took of this bird to fit the narrrative that occurred to him. The underlying truth is there, however. It's just that Randy is being stalked on the Net, not in real life (well, I would hope that Roger is not peeking in his windows and such). Why don't you leave him alone now that you've had your little say? It's true that Randy is not perfect. I knew him as a passing acquaintance some years back and I can tell you that his advice never worked for me; I lost my job anyway. Is he somewhat geeky? Yes, just like most of us in Academia. Is there some degree of grandstanding and ego-boosting going on, along with a certain disengagement from those who are close to him? Yes, once again these are traits common to people who have been encouraged to focus very obsessively on one area and on their own perceptions of said area, in other words professors and other researchers/writers. But to go further and call him a liar and a hypocrite as you have just takes the cake. And what might be YOUR true motives . . . let me see: jealousy and envy over the millions he will make (for his kids, there's no disputing that) and the fame he has already achieved. These are much less flattering motives than Randy's very normal and understandable self-aggrandizement.

And I thought it was just cold because of it being winter! Some of you folks, in your heartlessness, and others, in your psychophantic gushing, are really astonishing.

Simple truth 1: Randy is merely painfully aware of his impending mortality. How long he has left is a matter of conjecture, but he is probably none too interested in conjecture because he probably just wants to try and do something USEFUL with however much time that is. Don't we all? Give him a break. I suspect that many of his detractors would sing a different tune if they were handed a life clock winding down as fast as his might be.

Simple truth 2: To Randy's former students who seem to find him evil. Hey, that's the way grad school goes. Try to get over it. It takes time, but few professors are the anti-christ any more than others are the saints we want to make them out to be. Sometimes our mentors teach us by counter-example. Try not to think you are entitled to anything more than being around the man while he was giving advancing his career goals his best shot, bacause that is ALL you get. No one held a gun to your head to make you go to CMU. That's the way it is. Diasgree? Fine. It's your right to do so. Just don't do it to YOUR students when the time comes, and thank Randy for teaching you that, even if you think the lesson was indirectly taught. Life is short enough and rarely fair. Don't waste it hauling around a lot of psychological baggage that prevents YOU from achieving your potential. Too many of us do, especially in academe.

Simple truth 3: The guy isn't perfect, and even being on Oprah won't make him so. He's done a bunch of really good things with a very publicly watched part of his life, maybe a bunch of less good things, maybe even a few selfish things in his time. Gee, that kind of makes him just like the rest of us in the only really important way.

Randy: if somehow you come across this, good luck. You got dealt a crappy hand, but sooner or later, everybody must play one with the same results. I pray that there's an after life where none of this junk matters, and if we meet there, the first beer is on my tab.

As difficult as it may be for some of you to comprehend my fascination is not with Randy Pausch. When Randy gave his first speech you will not find a posting from me anywhere on the net. Likewise after he gave his Oprah speech. However, regardless of how popular his speech was before Oprah it was incredibly more popular after he spoke on her show. My fascination is not with Randy - My fascination is with people like George, Liz, and almost everyone else in this blog. I could not believe that other human beings could watch the speech and not discern the acting, and pretense to his speech. What makes it even more fascinating is that even when information is offered to show he is phony and deceptive the majority seem to want to believe that he speaks with a genuine, inimitable voice. It is not in the realm of possibility that such gullible, naive, and at times, stupid people will not fascinate me.

Liz,
Your posting impresses me with your brilliance. Imagine how far you might have gone in life if you had actually completed the 7th grade. It is extremely improbable that Randy Pausch and I have ever stood in the same state at the same time. I am fairly confident that the 5% (or so) of people like me that heard his speech and were unimpressed are not jealous of him but rather think that the manipulation and acting is shameful.

I am from a family that has lost several members due to cancer. That also contributes to some of my criticism and makes me think that much of his speech is fake. I do not expect to change any of your minds - It is not why I post. As I said before those of you that never question his inconsistencies fascinate me. Perhaps I should have gone into the used car business instead of staying in school.

Wow ok new to this just saw the video this week but as someone in the healthcare profession pancreatic cnacer is a death sentance plain and simple maybe 3 months maybe a year maybe if your lucky like my uncle you make 18 moths or like my best friends father it takes you in 3 months-get over it... if you dont beleive he has it that is one thing but if he does and you think he is overreacting one can only hope you find out first hand one day what it is like to have it!

Almost the whole world has now seen the Last Lecture or heard of Randy's story. And there will be people who don't feel the pull of the band wagon, and who know may know the person and not feel the same. That is Karma's, and Roger's opinions and they have a right to feel that way and to voice it. I think the point is, it's okay to disagree. It's okay to not "like" someone just because that person is dying, and to think they are fake. Fact: Randy wouldn't be receiving so much media if he wasn't terminal. But, that's irrelevant; whether Randy is a saint, or a SOB is irrelevant. The message is what is important. I'm grateful to Karma/Roger for stating they think Randy is an SOB. Because it shows that Randy is human and to know that he is just an every day guy means that the greatness he speaks of, that he urges others to reach for IS attainable no matter who or what you are, or what you have done. So thank you Karma and Roger for allowing me to see through the speaker and to really understand the lecture. Ironically, I'm certain that was Randy's goal all along. Karma truly is a funny thing.

Realist (and others),
I do appreciate the statistics that some of you provide regarding mortality rates for pancreatic cancer patients. Let me give you a clue - I am very familiar with them but I do appreciate the additional insight and wisdom that you have offered to the subject. Randy has always had factors in play that while he perhaps should not present himself as a best case scenario (which means you could potentially live more than 10 years) he should have at least presented himself as someone who may not be the worst case scenario (only a few months to live). And yet he has always presented himself as a worst case scenario. And you wonder why I'm critical.
I'm not as insensitive as some of you may think. Even though I had strong suspicions of Randy's speech because of his word selection, I still wanted to believe in the story. However, the more I checked his website and other websites, the more I realized that I have never seen a person more vain or full of themself than Randy Pausch. He said that he was going home to spend time with his family but instead has been on the non-stop Randy Pausch Tour. He says that his oncologist told him that there was no danger with him leaving the country to go scuba diving while on gemcitabine and tarceva. He uses his cancer story to talk his way out of a speeding ticket and last, but not least, he intentionally changes the order of the vulture photos to make it look like the bird was following him. And you don't think he exaggerates? Maybe you went to the same school Liz went to - Clearly, some higher education going on there.
Inspite of all of my findings about Randy I have always given him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to believing he has pancreatic cancer. I believe that even thought he continually offers himself as one of the world greatest case studies in the rejection of the null hypothesis. Additionally, I will say that he makes it very tough to believe his story when he makes ridiculous statements about advice from his physician (going scuba diving risk free). I do believe that Randy has cancer (for now) but I have always believed that he has misrepresented the true state of his visceral health. And I believe the "clock" that he is counting down from has significantly more time on than what he announces. I do not believe that he actually thought he would be dead in a few months when he kept repeating those words.

My biggest criticism is not of Randy. It is of those of you who try to make him into something better than he is. Apparently Randy has no compunction at all with standing before a crowd and exaggerating a story so that there is not a dry eye in the audience. Maybe some of you geniuses think that the reason for the book deal is because of his section on the "head fake" or some of his other pearls of wisdom. I for one, will always believe that it only occurred because of the power that he manipulated into his speech. Remove the tears and there is no book deal.
I said before that I would make some predictions. Whether you want them or not, here they are:

1. I predict that over the next year Randy will have found other ways to collect income from his story. I do not know what form that will come in - Maybe a made for tv deal or paid speaking engagements, or something else but I believe it will happen.
2. Randy will continue to keep his name in the spotlight (tv, etc)
3. And last - He will NOT be dead as of the 1 year anniversary of his speech. You know - the one where he kept repeating that he only had a few months to live.

I must say I felt a bit uneasy watching the lecture, too. There was the strong rhetorical pull of an immensely youthful and vital-looking man with death hanging over him, of course, but shots of the audience also showed unease among listeners -- I think we just find death a terrible hard fact to deal with, and there was this man who did not deny (and, as some here have pointed out), kept insisting, that his was imminent. Whether or not this is REALLY the case, and just how imnminent it is, I find too macabre to go into, and also beside the point.

What I find plausible is that the guy feels responsible for the people he leaves behind, and perhaps he just said to himself, "Well, if this is how it's going to be, I might as well make the most out of it, and make sure that my kids won't have to worry where the money for the education will be coming from." And I'd interpret the slide of his newly bought house in that way, too.

That said, I find it important for people to have the right to tell others that the televised Randy is different from the Randy they knew. Few academics are saints, and sometimes I think that, if you want to make it in the academic world, you've got to be ruthless, and you've certainly got to have an arrogance that many may find less than healthy. That in itself is a sad thing, I think, and it's good to have people who remind us that someone as glowingly successful as Professor Pausch had to walk across a few people to get there.

This amazing thread is an interesting study of human nature.
A man publicy stated he is dying. He encouraged others to live and pursue their goals before it was too late. That was his message. I think.
He's not the first one to say that, nor will he be the last.
He was also a polished and poised speaker. I, for one, could tell that he had spoken in front of folks many times. That didn't detract from his message.
Or did it?
Could it be that he spoke too well? That he was, in fact, a liar? After all, he'd been somewhat less than perfect in the past and therefore somewhat less than perfect in the future, what little he had left? Excuse me, maybe he has made this all up and has lots and lots of time left!
And so the arguments go, back and forth and in and out and all about the messenger.
Interestingly enough the message seems to have gotten mislaid along the way. This has happened throughout history also.
So, I'd like to just say -- is there TRUTH to his message? Which is to Live. To enjoy life while you can. Pursue your dreams. Enjoy what you have while you have it. An active life is more fulfilling than a passive one. Don't let life pass you by. Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

I heard all this in this man's lecture. I listened and was reminded and I sent it on to my kids with that in mind -- please remember! Not the messenger, but the message.

I'm glad he reminded us.

Wow! Randy Pausch's lecture has affected me so deeply. It is not because I feel sorry for him. The message he conveys is so powerful.

So what if he has to remind us he's dying over and over again. So what if some people think he's done this for the glory. So what if he was not a likeable professor. So what if he's getting paid millions for a book deal. So what!!!!!!! These people who are harping on these things have missed the point of his lecture. That's too bad. Their opinions have been made and nothing will change there minds because their minds have been closed to the possibility. Again, that's too bad for them because I think Randy Pausch's message is so powerful. It's ashame that was missed.

I was student of Randy's and I feel I should stand up for him. He was tough, intolerant of mediocrity and a little anal retentative. Yet he was just a normal guy. All this bitching is so unnecessary. Everyone has offended people throughout their life, said or done things we regret. We all move past them. If we were to sit down with everyone we know I am sure between them all we would have lots of things that irritated them. What is it with people whenever anyone has success of some sort they feel the need to tear into them. Can't have average Joe getting attention, making lots of money, meeting influential or famous people while I have non of that. No one I don't get on with is allowed to have more success than me.

Randy's last lecture was great. And if people are inspired by that then great. More power to him. And as with any terminal illness and end date is not definate, you hope to beat the timeline given by the doctors. Read up on his type of cancer, people sometimes die sooner and some last longer than expected. If you can not show compassion for another human being than you are a very sad person.

I am in Australia and just saw Randy's story today on the Oprah show. I too have 3 young children and feel sad knowing that these children and Randy's wife may be going to lose this wonderful man. However, I wonder what his faith is and whether he has tried prayer and putting his illness and possible healing in God's hands? I am not a churchgoer and nor do I preach to others, but I noted another correspondent to this site mentioned that Oprah (who herself tells of her faith on many occasions on her show) did not ask him of his faith or religious beliefs. I guess there are many scientists who have difficulty believing in God, maybe Randy is one of them, or perhaps not. Regardless, I will hold him in my prayers and wouldn't it be the most wonderful miracle if he too prayed for a healing and was healed to the disbelief of all his doctors. Now that would be a victory for God to show the world and how blessed would Randy and his family be to have his health restored.

As for Karma Adjuster - your Karma will also be adjusted, so think carefully if you wish to air further dirty laundry in the future. More energy to the good things in life would be a good start. I will pray for you too! With any luck you have already been healed of your bitterness just by reading some of the comments generated back to you on this forum.

Most miserable speech I have EVER witnessed. EVER.
Why is it the most miserable speech for me? Let me explain. There is a certain humility involved in death/dying. Death is NOT a badge to be worn. Death is not something to do push-ups over. Death and dying is a time to reflect on our lives. Reflect on our past. Did Randy mention God? Any God? He seemed to be quite proud of his accomplishments. HE ACCOMPLISHED. ONLY HIM. All by himself. WoW! The message I received from watching this video - Do what you want - Screw everyone and everything to get what you want - and when you have what you want ----WANT MORE! Is that really so bad? No. Now go back and read the last two sentences again. 'Is that really so bad?' I say YES!

is Randy still living
i hope he is
please give me his medical condition
i have been praying so hard for him
thank you

A couple of things:
He didn't say anything that hasn't been said before, he appeared on Oprah who has a record of promoting upstanding people ...cough... Jame Frey...cough.. Tom Cruise...cough... and I agree that it would be unlikely that a Doctor would say that "you have a couple of months to live", especially when he is in the physical health he demonstrated.
This typical (for an Oprah audience) overwhelming response of uncritical, unquestioning support sickens me - this is the type of thinking that ushers in dictators, this is devotion that relies on massive denial.
You are angry at me because I didn't respond the same way as you and many others did, you claim that I am missing something because I was not overwhelmed by it as you were. You need to take a look in the mirror and question your level of tolerance.
Your husband

I just read the update on Randy's health. Apparently there was some growth in the tumors, so that means the palliative kemo is not working anymore. I believe he's trying other treatments, but I'm not sure how much that will help.

It saddens me when any person has to struggle with such a destructive disease. One can only hope the families of these fighters find strength to get through these difficult times. As a mother of three very kids, I can't imagine losing my husband and having the kids not know their father. Randy's family are in my thoughts.

I was told by my doctor I had 4-6 weeks to live. That was 21 years ago.... herbs, vitamins, faith, and 5 nasty chemo treatments before I refused another drop-it's the chemo that kills. Poisons injected to kill cancer? Don't do it.
Chemo kills both the body AND the immune system.

Feed your immune system and you will kill the cancer yourself.

An unhealthy mind will create an unhealthy body. Change your thinking, and your change your health. Randy, who according to people who knew him, had some unhealthy habits... time will tell what his destiny will be...

I just saw the video from Oprah's show with Randy re-giving his lecture. That then prompted me to find out more and I stumbled across this site. I have been sitting here reading what people have written.

Do we really live in such a world that we question and try to tear down anybody for any reason? I highly doubt that any person pointing their finger is a Saint. And in watching the lecture, at no point does he ever say he is either. Shame on everyone on this blog for criticizing anyone else. I’m sure that I am next for the round of tearing me down. But I could care less!! I think those of you who are criticizing him need to take a long look in the mirror!

I work with people on a daily basis, and I am sure that some of them I rub the wrong way, but does that mean they know who I truly am?? I think Not!!

I loved what was posted above: Posted by: FireFly at January 31, 2008 11:35 AM.
THEY ARE COMPLETELY RIGHT!!

Where have we gone and where are we going that we are so busy pointing our fingers at everyone else that we don’t point it where it should be…at ourselves!!!! Are we all so ignorant as a society that we can’t listen to what then man is trying to teach us??

Don't expect others to live their lives by your standards. Randy specifically said at the start of his lecture that he was not speaking about religion or family or a number of other things. He does not wear death like a badge, but does not hide behind it or feel sorry for himself. If you could find nothing inspirational about what he said maybe there was nothing there for you, but there definitely was for many others. Preachers preach the same thing every single day yet that doesn't seem to bother you bhwana, we all learn through repetition otherwise life lessons and school lessons would only have to be given once. I think that those who protest Randy's lecture the most actually are touched by it, but are too afraid to admit it, even to themselves. May we all find our own path, and hear the words that help us on our way.

When you face the cancer verdict (Yes, I have and with God's and MD Anderson's help, have won) you suddenly realize that life is very important. The ones of you who are critical of this man are talking about the man before cancer. That man no longer exists and never will again. Cancer changes your outlook on life. None of us will leave this world without making mistakes. We are all human. He might be arrogant but because of that, he will fight to the bitter end. With cancer, if you are weak, you die! It takes a fighter to win!

My mother always said, if you can't say something good, say nothing! Good advice in this situation.

Dear Randy,

I have just listened to your last lecture on Opra. Thank you for sharing and instilling in me to continue to dream and let them happen - to live life - people are important - and to be.

To be knocking on Heavens door was the plight of my two good friends. Two very different experiences with the same ending.

I was taking about my friends dying and how each had chosen their pathwith my high school students the other day. I told them that at one point that we (friends) had said that we were not afraid to die. I said that I didn't know what I would do if I were told that I had 6 weeks to live. I said that I really didn't want that experience at this point in my life.

And, tonight I listened to your story. I will play it for my students during a class in the near future.

I thank you again for sharing your story with me and so many others who have listened and who have been a part of your life. You have given me courage to live now more. To wait for the one whom I feel is on the outs or periferal and i will see and experience their goodness.
May you, your wife and your children continue to celebrate your lives as individuals and as a family.

Blessings during these days.

Carole

This advice is typical New-Age (self) Oprah fashion and totally in direct opposition of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hope he humbles himself, recognizes and gets convicted of his human sin, and then repents so that God can elect him and send him the Holy Spirit. Mr. Pausch, have you ever lied, (even once) stolen, (regardless of value....test answer, paper clip, etc.) used the Lord's name in vain (Geesh), looked with lust (that's call adultery), etc. If not, you'd be the first since Jesus. Our Holy God requires perfection to enter his kingdom; therefore, if you stand before him today, will you be innocent or guilty? Repent today and place your trust in Jesus. Read your Bible and obey. Then and only then will you have salvation. You will see that God wlll do a work in your heart that the sin you once loved, you know hate and the righteous you once avoided and denied, you now desire. This new relationship with sin will testify to the world you are a Christian.

Excuse me, Witnesser,

Are you serious? Are you able to have a normal conversation with normal people without becoming a real judgemental pain in the rear? I've run into people like you a lot and all I have to say is talk like that doesn't bring people to Christ, it makes them run away...fast! Show people the true love in your heart and if that love is because of your relationship with Christ, then it will send a more powerful message. The garbage you spew now only perpetuates the stereotype of the judgemental born-again Christian. Maybe YOU should read your bible and obey. Pardon me if I'm wrong, but isn't there only ONE who can judge? So if that's the case, back off because the job is taken!

I'm so happy Dr. Pausch has shared his message of living out your dreams with us. I wish more people could adopt that positive outlook on living.

I have seen Randy's video last year (the original Last Lecture), so I was surprised by him appearing after that in a few more "Last Lectures" with the same content.

I think it is good that he is promoting the importance of the quality of life. As a life-insurance advisor for many years, I have been advocating this living life to the fullest approach, even when you are down with major illnesses.

For those of you who are touched by Randy's speech, I would advise you to increase and add to your insurance coverage so that you can have more money and time to spend with your loved ones, achieve your childhood dreams and do the things that you have always wanted to do. Just like Randy. The difference is that not everyone can do a lecture about living life fully and cut a 7 million book deal.

I have been showing Randy's video to my clients and thanks to Randy's excellent presentation skills, many of my clients were moved to do more with their coverage so that they have the money to do the things they have always wanted to do.

Cheers!

This guy is a jerk, terrible teacher.

Hi all, so I saw the video (the Oprah version) and I was doing some research on Randy and came across this site. I feel compelled to write, as this blog really bothers me. I do believe in discussion, and I think that some of the comments are great, some not so great. Here is my little two cents on the whole thing...I preface this by saying that I am not educated, and I am not a great debater, I'm just a little, regular person making my way through life. So my question to all of you, is, why can't a good thing JUST be a good thing? Why does it have to be analyzed to the umpteenth power, and then people attacked for their opinions? I researched and came here and because Randy's speech moved me. I think his speech has touched and moved a lot of people. I don't care about who he is as a human being. I don't know him. I don't even really care if it is real or not, and I am certainly not going to badmouth Karma Adjuster for his/her feelings, nor am I going to criticize anyone else on this blog. But really, how many of us know Randy, and again, WHAT DOES IT MATTER? Aren't we just missing a beautiful thing? The truth is, he struck a core feeling in a lot of people, and really he could be Genghis Khan, and it would not matter. What matters is, he did a good thing, and makes people think about their own lives. So, I guess you can all attack me, now, as you are all more eloquent and smarter than me (and I, believe it or not, am saying this without one iota of sarcasm).

I just really cannot wrap my mind around, why can't a good thing JUST be a good thing.

Thanx for listening to me.

What I fail to understand after hearing this man speak and after reading enough of the comments to this blog, is how can I commend a person for resigning to "Sorry, you are dying, good bye". Sure he put his time in at Micky D's, handed over his health to the cancer industrial complex where, by the way, if you haven't ever been there you should make a vacaion stop out of it, it is like another planet within Houston. Even have a McDonald's in the lobby...isn't that special?
Why are we so quick to doubt our bodies when we are faced with something like cancer? Why can't we have enough confidence in ourselves and our own knowledge of our bodies abilities to heal itself if it is given the tools it needs to do so?
NO I am not some whacko Tom Cruis-i-an!!! I am a normal human being who knows that the human body was created to heal itself but it needs the proper nutrition (tools) to do it with. We can't get that from the food we eat or even from the tons of vitamins we force down our throats every day...you are lucky if even 30% of those stay in your body!!
Disease is caused from deficiencies in our food, deficiencies in our vitamins and minerals. Our food hasn't been giving it to us since Pre-1930's..look it up..Senate Doc. 264, Google it, look it up, educate yourself on what your body can do if you give it a chance! Liquid Minerals and Vitamins! That is what the body needs to feed the deficiencies that lead to disease...disease comes and the body can't fight it off because it doesn't have a strong enough immune system because it isn't getting the simple vitamins and minerals it needs!
PEOPLE WAKE UP!!! How much money is filtered through cancer research every year? Who do you think gets richer? The "cancer fightin' doctors who get paid billions of dollars for "research" thgrough huge funding and government grants or the people who make liquid vitamin and mineral tonics? What incentive to the miracle men at Micky D's have to use liquid vitamins and minerals to eradicate cancer? NONE!!!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE PLEASE! We can live healthy lives into our 100's feeling great, no pain, enjoying quality of life, it is possible.
And finally, the fact that this guy has gotten so much media coverage to spew this type of message that veils the TRUE message he is sending, "I believe anything the doctors tell me" honestly, makes me ill.
Is everyone in this country sheep? We need to open our minds and educate ourselves, stop believing every pharmaceutical ad you see on television and turn on an alternative mindset.

I would have to agree with 'witnesser'.

Randy, without Jesus you have nothing. There is only one way to heaven and that is to repent of your sins and accept forgiveness thru Jesus Christ. Jesus shed his blood for you and me so that we may have everlasting life. think about it.....eternity is a long time. It is now the time to go 'humbly' before God and get things right.

John 14:6 says this: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

this is the only legacy you should be concerned about leaving your family. Otherwise it is hopeless.

Without God, the whole video is just 'fluff'.

God is love. No opposition to the gospel, total agreement. Love god, love your neighbor, very simple. No sin and redemption fear based propaganda. That is the unenlightened speaking. Wake up and see that love and only love heals all.

It's a long road towards self-actualization and it seems that Dr. Pausch's time has been cut short. I know that if I were to post an end of life speech that resonated with a multitude of listeners, I would also be open to the criticism of those who have known me and have had less than a positive experience...I know that I am a work in progress and I hope I have changed somewhat as the years go by- I have worked on myself and my character defects for years and I am sure there would be detractors popping up all over the place to remind me of every error in judgement and every slip in my spiritual journey. I think, for the people in Dr. Pausch's life who have had less than a perfect understanding of what makes up his entire character, it may be useful to learn that what may appear as overt hypocrisy could actually be a living apology. After all, being a survivor of cancer myself, I know it's no picnic and many things in my life changed as a result- usually for the better. Maybe Randy is deriving some comfort from exposing something so personal- maybe he is exaggerating when he says the presentation is only for his kids...I don't know and I honestly don't care. His message is important and it's great that it has reached a massive audience. The only truth the man has is his own and I think it's resonating with a lot of people. So, I'm grateful that we have the technology to disseminate such a lesson-packed lecture...I for one, do not consider this particular class to be "the class I shouldn't have bothered taking". I hope the young people who have posted negatively understand that growth and change are ongoing. The man may not have enough time to evolve into the perfect person we'd all love to be...I think you'll find that even if you personally live to be 90 years old, you will know that you will not have had enough time either. It's entirely appropriate that he share the legacy of what it is he knows he's done well and to leave that to his children, since he cannot accomplish that throughout their lives. It's a bonus that he's let us into such a personal experience in his life- an act of courage, since we are all vulnerable in death.

I'm reluctant to say because of the Witnesser post, I am Christian.

Witnesser, please stop defacing Christ's faith by casting stones at others. I see no profanity, adultery or lying being professed by Randy Pausch. Accept his message for what it is. One of love, Christ's most important message. You do more damage than good with your judgemental attitude.

Our purpose as Christians is to provide a path for others to follow and I think Dr. Pausch has done that well. Seeking truth will lead you there.

Winesser don't be afraid of what you'll find if you dig deeply searching for the truth. His truth will prevail, and that may not be what someone wants or certainly is capable of understanding. Try reading C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, or Francis Collins, Language of God. Let's help Christ not hinder.

I didn't want to see the last word in this post so maligning. A better video of his speech is here http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

Thank you for your courage Randy Pausch and may God Bless You. I have said a prayer for you and your family for continued strength.

First of all, I must say that the debates above have been fascinating, if not a little unsettling at times, to read through. This is not the standard flaming give and take so prevalent on the net these days; with few exceptions you are all obviously well-spoken, thoughtful and articulate individuals, albeit with widely or subtly disparate views on the phenomenon that is Randy Pausch. Well done, people. Allow me now to contribute my two cents.

For starters, I think we can safely discount the validity of Karma Adjuster's opinion on the matter (and I mention him by name only because he was the first naysayer in the group). I would encourage those of you who were driven to angst by his comments to consider one of the final statements in his post: "I for one will not be shedding a tear for his passing." This really tells you all you need to know about the man, for it is blind hate dressed up in thoughtful discourse. Perhaps you don't like an individual, or maybe you disagree with some or all of their viewpoints or methods, or facets of their demeanor. But to sum up your opinion with the final statement that their ultimate death will be a favorable outcome for you reveals the shallowness and lack of redeeming qualities in any opinion you may have. What an unfortunate choice of words, and how telling.

Karma also made mention of the fact that "I'm confidant (sic) that because of having to interact with this man, I'm a far more bitter and jaded individual." Here again, he lays witness to the content of his character by revealing the extent to which his outlook on life as a whole can be colored by a single individual. I'm reminded of coworkers in my past who have been reprimanded or criticized by their superiors, who can take nothing constructive from the feedback, and who could only react with shock and disgust that they were anything less than perfect in the performance of their duties. I suspect that Mr. Pausch at one time undermined the image that Karma had of himself, and in so doing laid the foundation for an ongoing bitterness that persists to this day.

The other theme that crops up here more than once is that of the book deal that Randy signed, reportedly worth several million dollars. I don't understand the problem that people have with this, but it seems to be the natural human response to those who are wealthy, or about to become wealthy. Oddly, it seems that the acquisition of financial security is something we detest in others, yet crave for ourselves, and it doesn't matter how noble or debase the method by which that wealth is acquired may be. We all hate millionaires, yet we all wish to be included in their ranks. If I was approached at any time with the offer to write a book, which enough people wanted to read that it would solve my financial problems for the rest of my life, why would I turn it down? Furthermore, if it could cement my family's financial security for decades to come, would I not be remiss in refusing to pursue such an offer? Who among you would do the same? So we can discount these naysayers as well, I submit.

Skipping over the section of this thread in which certain people parry back and forth on the photo of the vulture in Randy's blog (a debate so absurd it's embarrassing), we come to the matter of the disease itself, Mr. Paush's prognosis, and the speech he gave on it, for that seems to be the ultimate bone of contention herein. For those of you unfamiliar with pancreatic cancer, I can tell you this: it never takes prisoners, and it rarely grants an extended reprieve. If Randy has it, his death is only a matter of time, and not a lot of it. He knows this, the medical community knows this, and among those with any experience or knowledge of it, the argument is over, if indeed there ever was one. Be reminded that before he gave his last lecture, few people outside of CMU had ever heard of Randy Pausch. His lecture was a goodbye from a dying man in which he recounted the events of his life, praised the names and work of numerous people who helped him along the way and provided guidance and inspiration, and during which he admitted to traits like arrogance, ignorance and naivete which we discovered or had pointed out to him throughtout the course. There was a confidence in the presentation, but I sensed no presumption of sainthood whatsoever. Alas, he wasn't humble, and the masses hate that. If you're one of those masses, then I urge you to try this: accomplish in your life what Randy Pausch has, gain the respect and love of your peers and those closest to you that was so obviously evident during the course and aftermath of his lecture, and then try to say that you really have nothing of value to show for your life while trying to keep a straight face and expecting your audience to do the same.

I was affected by Randy Pausch's lecture, that much is obvious. But I have been just as affected by the discourse I have read here. I thank the ones who have only words of venom to offer, because it has shown me that there are aspects of the human experience worse even than death. And one of them is living a life so shrouded in cynicism and bitterness that it can only offer up a platitude of negatives on the occasion of a dying man's final days.

Randy Pausch's "last lecture" sends a message that, although intended for his 3 children, strikes a chord with millions of people worldwide. Someone in this post criticized him for repeatedly mentioning how few months he has left to live. I believe Dr. Pausch does this to emphasize the situation that he is faced with, and how it has shaped his perspective of life. I believe he wants to share his "lecture" as a way of sharing the truths that might otherwise only become evident when facing a terminal illness. Really, life is short for all of us - whether we live to be 1 or 110. Randy Pausch wants us to spend our time wisely - and realize what is really important. I like that he emphasizes the importance of "people" and "apology." His is a great message in so many ways.

A medical perspective: A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is always rapidly terminal (i.e. less than 2 years left to live, depending on how early the diagnosis). Some have doubted Randy Pausch's diagnosis because of how "healthy" and "strong" he appeared during his presentations. That is precisely that point he is trying to make. He wants to show that - no matter how healthy you might feel right now - death might not be long off. Many types of cancer do not affect the person until the VERY end - and hence that is why they are "silent killers." Often, the chemotherapy and other treatments to prolong life actually cause more side-effects than the cancer itself. That is why some people choose to forego any treatment that could possible prolong their life - the "quality" versus "quantity" issue. Randy Pausch was diagnosed early in his disease. This has allowed him more time than some others with pancreatic cancer. However - his death is inevitably imminent. Shame on ANYONE who is actually counting the months until he dies - instead of realizing the things he is managing to accomplish with the short time he has left. I am glad that he is finding the time & opportunity to do some things for himself before he dies (travel, Star Trek, scuba diving, book deal, etc.). He is trying to create a fuller life with the shorter timeline he has been given. I know his wife & children will be glad that he got to do these things before he died. And I'm sure that he is spending plenty of quality time with his friends & family also. He is trying to set an example for his children, as only a father can. Try not to get bogged down by the specifics of HOW he lives his final months.

Reading all these post, both the Pros and the Cons, prove one thing, there will always be differences of opinions, after watching his last speech on videos, the one thing that struck me the most, was at the very end, when he said he did this Last Lecteuer for 3 people, and they were his kids, well I have two daughters 7, and 8, I love them so dearly, they are my life, along with my beautiful wife, I put my wife and kids on pedestals, in my heart, therefore, I can assure you, my family will not need some video, when I am gone, to remember me by, or to have something to look up their Dad/ Husband by, they will already have that in their hearts, just by actions. Trust Me on this one, before you blast me, it is your actions, and how you treat people, that is how you will be remembered. I do everything with my kids, from playing games, dolls, basketball, or whatever on a daily basis, I sit down and listen on how their day went at school, I do this everyday, and they feel like they want to sit and talk with me.........Bottom line, you should not have to leave some kind of memorial, just so your kids will have something to be proud of you, just do something everyday with your kids and you will be remembered I promise...................