Blog Post #7

Dr. Pausch intrigued me after watching his first video early in the semester. After doing some research I began to remember him back when we did a shorter lecture on Oprah. He starts his last lecture by asking the crowd "what wisdom would you try to import to the world if you knew it was your last chance?" The first section of his lecture is about his childhood dreams. Pausch dreamed of being in the NFL but never accomplished it. But he gained experience of playing the sport and trying to achieve the dream by the technique of "head fake" or indirect learning.


In the second part of his lecture Pausch tells about enabling the dreams of others. Another childhood dream of his was to become an imagineer. He achieved the dream after hard work and helped create the Aladdin ride. He figured out a way to help others achieve the same dream by creating a class film animation. This part of the lecture reminds me of chapter 5 of the book "Lighting Their Fires" by Rafe Esquith. In the chapter he discusses that people must earn their success by dedication and hard work.


The third section of the lecture was called "Lessons Learned." Pausch discusses about lessons he learned from his parents. He continues to mentions other people who could help us in our lives: teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues. In the end of the lecture we find out the whole thing is for his children. It the only way he can teach them how to live when he has passed away.


My first reaction of the video is how composed Dr. Pausch is. This was his last actual lecture and he had amazing composure. I applaud his honesty and how he has accepted his fate. Many people would be at home reflecting on their life on what the could have done different but he is still helping others. On comment Pausch said that I will remember is, "brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want something." Again I remember Esquith's book and remember that if you want something bad enough you should go after it. Just because there is a wall doesn't mean there is not a way around it.