The "Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch

Gabriel Robins · 1.1M views · 2011 · 1:44:09

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Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters recommend it as an emotionally powerful life-advice talk and revisit it as a reminder of mortality.

What it is

Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon computer scientist and virtual reality pioneer who was dying of cancer, gives his 'Last Lecture' about achieving childhood dreams and living well. The recording is a full-length talk of about 104 minutes.

Recommended by 4 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2016 to 2021.

What Hacker News said

Strong rec SEJeff · 2021-08 · on “Monday was my 46th birthday and likely my last (2013)”

This reminds me of the Last Lecture by Professor Andy Pausch. It is a lecture that will really hit you in the feels: [this video] It is also an excellent book.

Strong rec orbz · 2021-08 · on “Ask HN: What's the most life-changing blog post you've ever read?”

While not a blog post really, I often times revisit Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture[1] to act as a memento mori[2]. [1] [this video] [2] [LINK]

Recommends Create · 2016-08 · on “Fighting Cancer”

I am not sure you came across The Last Lecture, if not you may find it interesting: [this video] [LINK] I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with you and learn an awful lot along the way. Thanks!

Recommends jefflombardjr · 2019-04 · on “Ask HN: What are good resources for life advice?”

First and foremost, what you are describing is metacognition - thinking about the way you think. Hopefully that will aid you in your search for things! Secondly, here are some of my favorite influential material: - Li Ka-Shing, Tips on Life. My takeaway: invest in yourself. [LINK] - Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture. My takeaway: don't limit yourself [this video] - Guy Kawasaki, Make Meaning. Aimed for startups, but equally applicable in life. My takeaway: Have the proper motivations for doing things. [LINK] - Admiral William H. McRaven, Make your bed. My takeaway: if you want to change the world, start by changing yourself. [LINK] - David Foster Wallace, This is Water. My takeaway: Take a big pictu