Friday, July 25, 2008

Randy Pausch Gives Us a Gift Before Leaving Us

This is not a post about marketing. This is about how one man can touch so many lives with nothing more than his passion and compassion, a video, and the power of the Internet. (And if you think meaninful emotional experiences only happen in the real world, then read on and view the video below.)

I am sure you've all seen Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture." If so, then you'll share my sadness at his passing.

If not, you'll first want to know the story before viewing the movie below. Randy became famous when he participated in a Carnegie Mellon lecture series called The Last Lecture. Speakers in this series have the chance to convey the wisdom they'd impart if their lecture was, in fact, the last one before they died.

In Randy's case, it was really his last lecture. Dying from pancreatic cancer, he gave his "last lecture" in front of colleagues and family. His moving talk, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," can be viewed below. Although you may have seen Randy on Oprah and other shows, if you have not yet seen the original video of his Carnegie Mellon presentation, you'll find it time well spent.

I never met Randy, but I feel the world is a lesser place without him. Then again, he enriched the world far more than most, so I guess we can all be glad for the gifts he's left behind. My condolences and best wishes are with his spouse, children, family, friends, and colleagues.

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