The Last Lecture (Youtube video) - Essay Example

Subject: English, Essay Date: Topic: The Last Lecture (Youtube video) Introduction Those are the brave men who challenge the destiny and sport with death. Computer Science Professor Randy Pausch was one such courageous individual. On September 18, 2007 when he took on the stage to address the audience of four hundred people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver his last lecture on the emotional subject of “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” his death was waiting in the wings behind the curtain to claim him as if!

He was explaining his impending death within a few months, with slides of his CT scans of the cancer that had begun to destroy his pancreas. True to his assertion he lost the battle to his disease in July 25, 2008. The lecture of this invincible man created history. In the lecture he mentioned about his childhood dreams, the process through which he achieved them and how he guided others to achieve the same. He detailed the outstanding moments of his life, the eminent t people with whom he interacted and explained how he had learnt much from others.

He dedicated the last lecture to his 3 children Dylan, Logan, and Chloe aged 5, 3 and 1.At the very beginning, Dr. Pausch made reference in gratitude to his dad. He mentioned about the 10 tumors in his liver and informed the audience that he had about 3-6 month’s lifespan to his credit, though he was lucky enough to avail treatment from the best doctors in the world. He had realization that the game was going to be up soon, but he put the poser to the audience why worry about that today? During the course of the lecture, he was in excellent spirits; his responses were sterling, though he knew what was going on within his body.

He mentioned about his love for the family and the reason why he bought a lovely house in Virginia, a better place he thought for the family, down the road. He recounted his childhood dreams his Football fantasies, his achievement as an author in the World Book Encyclopedia, working for Disney etc. He expected that the children should be part of the Football Team and play it, not from the physical fitness point of view, not only because it was a game, but it was the learning center of qualities that mold a youth into a good human being.

The lessons in teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and other positive qualities were important. He gave lots of importance to the process of indirect learning. He paid handsome tributes to his parents who built him and enabled him to achieve his dreams. His mother was always a source of encouragement for him and whenever he was in dire straits, she came to his rescue to boost his morale. He fondly remembered when he got his doctorate, his mother introduced him as, “this is my son, and he’s a doctor but not the kind that helps people.

” His asset was his sense of humor. He promised to keep up the momentum of fun, because he sincerely felt that there was no other way to play the game of life, and there was no point in getting afraid of the lurking death. He advised his audience not to lose the child-like wonder. Some of his words of wisdom are:Loyalty is a two-way street.Never give up.When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it. Dont complain. Just work harder.And be prepared. Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity.

Conclusion Dr. Pausch received affection in abundance and proper guidance from his family. His mother was a storehouse of love. He would be missed forever by his family members, especially the children. The wise saying goes, ‘God loves those who die young.’ Dr. Pausch was indeed a man of God. He died at home in the presence of his wife Jai and three children. His last lecture was the pinnacle of hope and optimism. He teased and tormented death during every breath of his six months’ life.

Yes, the “The Last Lecture” Professor has reached that part of the cosmos from where no one ever returns! Now he is the story for the humankind! References http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo