The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
Summary
Randy Pausch was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During his time there, he was asked to give a speech; it was titled "The Last Lecture". Those lecture were given by professors all the time. However, Randy's speech was going to be a message. it was not going to be about his cancer but about overcoming obstacles, enabling others dreams, seizing the moment and the importance of really living. The way he presented his story made it such an inspiration to other people.
Most Memorable Thing
After I learned about Randy, I saw him as a role model. For someone going through a lot and to have such a positive attitude is amazing. He went through life looking at the bright side of things and never giving up. Throughout the book there are so many things you learn not only about his life but about life in general. There is a lesson in almost every chapter to be learned and applied.
Most Important...
Word: Living
His whole speech is about really living your life and enjoying every second. Randy was someone who always saw the bright side of things and never gave up. Being that person, he got to really enjoy life and see what he was capable of.
Phrase: "Leave the field under my own power."
After realizing that his life was shortened because of his disease, he realized that he needed to do what he wanted and what made him happy. Not that he was not doing it before, however, he knew that life was to short to not do everything you have wanted to do.
Quote/Sentence: "The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough."
3 words learned
Brazen - bold and shameless
Seminal - strongly influencing later things