Blog Archive

Thursday, 1 November 2018

Inspirational Speaker - Randy Pausch

Hi all,

Here is a link to a talk we will look at in today's class. This is by a wonderful man called Professor Randy Pausch. He was a charismatic young college professor who chronicled his battle with pancreatic cancer in a remarkable speech widely-known as the "Last Lecture," and sadly died at the young age of 47.


It all began with one, age-old question: What would you say if you knew you were going to die and had a chance to sum up everything that was most important to you?



That question had been posed to the annual speaker of a lecture series at Carnegie Mellon University, where Pausch was a computer sciences professor. For Pausch, though, the question wasn't hypothetical. 

If you had only six months to live, what would you do? How would you live your life? And how can all of us take heart from Pausch's inspiring message to live each day to its fullest?

Here is the shortened version from the Oprah Winfrey show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1CEhH5gnvg


Here is the full version should you want to watch the original delivery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo


The version Oprah Winfrey talks about has now been viewed nearly 19 million times. Quite a legacy and it is a talk that I personally find greatly inspiring for a number of reasons. It is worth dipping in and out of the full talk, where Pausch fleshes out a lot of the points made in the shortened version. And observe the emotion at the end, fully deserved adoration for a great man.

If anybody would like to borrow my Last Lecture book, I would be happy to give that to any willing readers.


 As always, any comments you wish to share can be noted below, please keep them coming!


10 comments:

  1. I like to borrow it please Mark.

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  2. Fantastic Lorraine. I will bring that in next week for you. Mark

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  3. I showed my husband this and he said its fantastic. I have shared it on my social media. I think this is a video i would never get tired watching and will probably watch many times on my journey to become a nurse, so thank you again Mark. Dreams can come true if you work heard enough

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  4. Great words Charlene. So many positive messages within this tragedy. I never tire of listening to his wonderful words. Thank you, Mark

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  5. What an incredible video, puts life into perspective, we can all sometimes forgot what’s important in life

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  6. Quite right Kelly. Definitely a talk which makes us reflect, no question about that. Thanks for your comment.

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  7. What an inspiring video to watch, it makes you realise how important life is, also to go and get what you want to ACHIEVE in life, but most importantly have fun along the way. I showed most of my family this, I cant stop watching this video. What an incredible and inspirational man.

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    1. Thank you for your comments 'Unknown'! Great words about a great man. Regards, Mark

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  8. One of those bitter sweet moments where you absolutely love the message but know whats coming. He knew he was dying, we saw an inspirational speech or presentation from such a motivational man who in reality had none himself except his family. No "5 year plan", no " see you at Christmas"..So sad! Thanks for this Mark.

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  9. Thanks Simbi. I think the more different types of presentations and presenters we see helps us learn from deliveries such as this. The notion of the ‘Last Lecture’ is an inspired one, and great for reflective practitioners. The sting in the tail for Professor Pausch was sadly all too evident for all to see. See you tomorrow, Mark

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