Somewhat OT: ‘Last Lecture’ computer-science professor Randy Pausch dies…
Posted by Aragoen Celtdra on 26th July 2008
I’ve heard about this professor a while back but I didn’t really know the extent of his “Last Lecture’s” popularity until I did some research. If you’re into inspirational talks and all, check out his video on youtube. It is over an hour long but it is well worth your time. I promise it’s not gonna be as dry as one your COD videos 
It has garnered almost 4million hits in the 8 months it’s been up. To me that’s pretty popular.
I thought the lecture itself was very poignant, in that it really gives one a view into the life of a person who only has 4-6 months to live, who knows it, and is willing to tackle it head on. It’s not one of those rah-rah motivational speeches (of which I have a few collections of) but it’s more of a auto-biography of how he achieved his childhood dreams in ways that we don’t always expect to achieve them. I even thought that the general theme that he touches upon can apply to all of our own goals and dreams - whether it be attaining the CCIE or making your first million in the next 3 years
Yesterday, he passed away. May he rest in peace.
‘Last Lecture’ computer-science professor Randy Pausch dies
By Elizabeth Montalbano , IDG News Service , 07/25/2008
Randy Pausch, a computer-science professor who became internationally known for his inspiring “Last Lecture,” passed away in Chesapeake, Virginia, Friday after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 47.
In an obituary issued by Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, where Pausch was a professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design, University President Jared L. Cohon said Pausch has had “an enormous and lasting impact” on the university community.
“He was a brilliant researcher and gifted teacher,” Cohon said. “Carnegie Mellon – and the world – are better places for having had Randy Pausch in them.”
Gabriel Robins, a computer-science professor at the University of Virginia and Pausch’s former colleague, called Pausch “a force of nature” in the obituary, and said it was no accident that people of all ages, cultures and religions flocked to him.
You can check out his web site here. including a few more videos. I assume the news of his death has brought lots of visitors to this site because it suddenly got so slow.
ABC also did an hour long interview with Diane Sawyer about his life. Follow the youtube series here.
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