[Todd Zywicki, July 26, 2008 at 1:21pm] Trackbacks
Randy Pausch Dies:

If you missed it, Randy Pausch of The Last Lecture fame, has succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Here's the full lecture. I watched the whole thing when it first came around and it really is quite touching and powerful. The two stories from the Washington Post are here and here. Scott Johnson has more here. He really seems like an extraordinary man, father, and professor.

donaldk2 (mail):
I saw the film. He was as good as it gets.
7.26.2008 4:11pm
treebeard (mail):
He also gave an excellent lecture on time management at the University of Virginia. It's available here.
Time Management, by Randy Pausch
7.26.2008 5:20pm
anonymous cmu grad:
I hate to speak ill of the dead and all, but Randy Pausch really wasn't all that great. He was a narcissist who would step on anyone it took to get to the top. Most of his students disliked him, and one of my friends was directly hurt by his need to get to the top. In fact, CMU was censured because of his actions regarding my friend. It is tragic that he died so young and my heart goes out to his family for their loss, but the beatification of that man has gone too far. It is tragic whenever a man loses his life at such an early age, but it happens every day in manners far more tragic than this.
7.26.2008 9:42pm
David Matthews (mail):
"I hate to speak ill of the dead and all, but"

Apparently, you don't.
7.27.2008 12:38am
great generation we're raising (mail):
Anonymous cmu grad, even if what you say about your friend is true, that hardly means Pausch deserves your critical appraisal. The reason his "last lecture" has been well-received is because he clearly learned a lot from his situation, and listeners appreciated his wisdom. He didn't even want it publicized, it was the Wall Street Journal that brought it to greater attention (some narcissist). I don't know the details about your friend, but my guess is that neither you nor your friend would recognize a good professor who genuinely cares about his students (and who thus doesn't suffer fools gladly). From listening to his last lecture and the one on time management posted above, it is easy to discern that this was a caring man and an excellent educator.
If you were to give a "last lecture," who would show up?
7.27.2008 12:46am
april barber (mail):
i was truly inspired by this man. RIP
cried for hours when i found out.
7.27.2008 6:49am
SATA_Interface:
And if any of you read the Slashdot techincal blog - there are lots of Randy's students on that one. Very few if any are critical of the teacher, or of the lessons he taught. So I'm not convinced of the anon cmu grad.

The smear looks a little similar to one raised here against Judge Kozinski during his web server "porn" flap - that the Judge rubbed against the anon's girlfriend or something icky - yet what defense was there against this anonymous smear? What evidence or testimony is offered for us blog readers to verify the account? Even a link to a complaint made against these two would be more credible than an anon griefer.

If you had evidence of Randy (or Kozinski) acting in a non-ethical manner, and you want some sort of "justice" in the form of public shame or whatever, you have to be brave enough to do it in person and not make an internet post. Please.
7.27.2008 12:51pm
Angus:
Well, Pausch in his book says something to the effect that he is a "recovering jerk," which could be a reference to what the anon poster above asserted.

However, even were that true, I don't think that detracts in any way from how Pausch handled himself and his life from the time of his terminal diagnosis to the day of his death.
7.27.2008 4:15pm
zefal (mail):
In his book, Dr. Pausch described himself as a "recovering jerk" who had to learn how to temper his brashness and insensitivity.
7.28.2008 1:18am
Yankee_Mark:
I haven't seen such a nasty character assassination against the recently departed since John Feinstein's hatchet job on Jim Valvano. Dr Pausch showed a truly Herculean level of class and dignity when faced with horrific circumstances.

I can't imagine doing nearly so well &reaching-out to help others were it my final months. I suspect most of us would close-up in our shells to squeeze-out what we could get for ourselves while railing against the 'unfairness' of it all.

By any measure, he was an extraordinary human being and an inspiration to millions both before, and especially after getting his grim news. To speak ill of such a man, on the day of his death is beyond contempt. I'm truly aghast!!
7.28.2008 1:21am
christine larosa (mail):
I would like to start by saying that I was truely inspired by Randy's Last Lecture. Something that everyone should remember is that we can't make everyone happy all the time. Randy came to a conclusion about himself and he made a difference, how many of us can say that? HE inproved on himself as I am now inspired to do. Note if you wait long enoough you WILL find the good in everyone, everyone has something good in them JUST WAIT!
7.28.2008 11:58am
Triangle_Man:
As others have pointed out, Randy Pausch's story is, in part, one of redemption. He described himself as a "recovering jerk". He no doubt hurt some people prior to his "recovery". Having said that, "anon CMU grad"'s description of an event where CMU was censured as a result of something Randy Pausch did is too vague to be verified. Censured by what organization, and when?
7.28.2008 2:37pm
Nancy Scala:
Obviously, if you are posting anonymously, you have no credibility. This is to the Anon poster for bad mouthing this man: Didn't your mom teach you any respect at all?? Do you think that somehow you are doing any good by posting those remarks?? Your heart goes out to his family and this is how you show it??? Shame on you!!! I hope nobody ever hurts your loved ones that way.
7.28.2008 3:37pm
M. Lucero:
I, too, was inspired by this man. I saw him on Oprah, and, talk about someone stopping you in your footsteps! I decided to change my "walk" after seeing his story. He was "fortunate" to know how much time he had left...something most of us don't get. So, fix it, change it, love it before you don't get a chance to!!!
7.28.2008 6:02pm
GC (mail):
I saw Randy's lecture on Oprah and was so inspired. What a man! I hope his family see's these comments (with the exception of the idiot) and realized how many people he reached out to! What an individual! He absolutely was ment to be...and he message will carry on forever. His children will be very proud of him as they carry on their lives!
7.28.2008 7:19pm
C Mac:
I have known Randy and his family since I was eight years old, when my brother and I were fortunate to be placed on his father's football team approximately 30 years ago. Randy has always been a gentleman who showed extreme patience for the kids on the football team. He loved, honored, and respected his family. He has a brilliant mind and a deep heart.
7.28.2008 9:22pm
Seatmaker:
I just found out that Randy passed. This world has lost and enlightened soul. I have not had the privelege to read his book, but I have seen enough of his lecture to know that I want to be a 'TIGGER'. God Bless this man for his message, whether he wanted it to be heard or not. It is inspiring. He IS inspiring. His family is in my prayers.
7.30.2008 12:37am
Charles Schuler (mail):
Only one anonymous/negative post? Not too bad!

Teachers never do the right thing for everyone in front of them, because it is simply not possible. Tutors fare better, I suppose.

Randy faced life, and the end of life, with equal zeal. I have to admire that.
7.30.2008 7:48pm