The Last Lecture

by Randy Pausch

There’s a formality in academia that can’t be ignored, even if a man is busy with other things, like trying not to die.

He’s a doctor, but not the kind who helps people.”

I also think my dad would be reminding me that kids— more than anything else—need to know their parents love them. Their parents don’t have to be alive for that to happen.

Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.

He gave me a feedback loop for life.

A few days later, I learned that one of the animals had been taken by a Carnegie Mellon student who, like me, has cancer. After the lecture, she walked up and selected the giant elephant. I love the symbolism of that. She got the elephant in the room.

In my last lecture, I mentioned that I now have a better understanding of the story of Moses, and how he got to see the Promised Land but never got to set foot in it. I feel that way about all the successes ahead for Alice.

EXPERIENCE IS what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.

A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard.