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A Deeper Look Into the Last LectureSeptember 4, 2008 Ordinarily, this review would be about a book on computer science... instead, it is about the memoir of a computer scientist. Moreover, it deals with a philosophical observation made by Marshall McLuhan in "Understanding Media", in 1964. In his text, McLuhan coined the phrase "the medium is the message," contending that in addition to the content carried by the medium, the medium itself affects society. This volume and how it got to be published and became a national bestseller exemplifies this McLuhan concept. However, before getting to the review, it is essential to connect a few dots.
It began in September 2007 when the author, professor Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon University, presented his lecture, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", to a group of 400 attendees. There were no empty seats. Pausch presented an entertaining and detailed description of his life and personal aspirations and announced he was dying of cancer and this was to be his "last lecture." At one point, as he began the lecture, the author quickly dropped to the auditorium floor and did a few one-hand push-ups reminiscent of actor Jack Palance's performance to demonstrate his physical prowess at the 1992 Academy Awards show. Palance had just won an Oscar for his role in "City Slickers." The University videotaped the lecture and it quickly appeared on such international media outlets as YouTube, Google Video, the ABC network on April 2008, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in July 2008, and on others. Thus, the Pausch lecture became available immediately throughout the civilized world and was viewed by millions of viewers!
McLuhan had, in fact, predicted 44 years before that the medium and the message would become intertwined. The lecture was quickly converted into print format, with the help of writer Jeffrey Zaslow, and was published in early 2008.
The book is recommended reading by a general audience and is quite inspirational but I prefer to focus on a deeper meaning to the sequence of events. Let's begin with Isaac Newton (1642-1727), the scientist who discovered the law of universal gravitation; developed Newtonian mechanics and laws of motion; invented calculus, the reflecting telescope, and a few other things. Newton lived a very self-confined, solitary existence, with few personal relationships, and died alone as a controversial futurist who also dabbled in alchemy. That was his message... there was no medium to proclaim these great contributions until long after his death. An international body later created the "newton" as a unit of force related to the joule.
Fast-forward 150 years to Nikola Tesla (1856-1943). He was identified as the developer of alternating current, the induction motor, the rotating magnetic field; as the "man who invented the 20th century," and by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1943 as the "inventor of radio," by upholding his 1900 patent #645,576 on the "System of Transmission of Electrical Energy." He lived a life filled with controversy and litigation and died alone and destitute in room 3327 of the New Yorker hotel in New York City in 1943. That was his message... there was no medium to proclaim these great contributions until long after his death. An international body later created the "tesla" as the unit of magnetic flux density.
Fast-forward about 75 years to 2008. Traditionally, in Hollywood, a book is published first and, if it is a success, it can be followed by a screen play and the film. But, as McLuhan inferred, since "the medium is the message," the video of professor Pausch's lecture came first, followed immediately by global exposure and a printed hard copy called a book. The message and the medium became so intertwined as to be inseparable!
Professor Pausch passed away in late July, 2008, and this review was written the following month.
There has been wide critical acclaim for his book, with which I concur. It is an ordinary memoir, produced in an extraordinary way, that deals essentially with the humanistic aspect of a computer scientist's short but productive life.
At the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park, there is a mural at the portal that reads, in translation:
Alone, therefore I go like the flowers which will perish; Nothing remains of my name, nothing of my fame here on earth; At least flowers; at least songs.
The dots have been connected.
Leonard C. Silvern Systems Engineering Laboratories Clarkdale, AZ
The Last LectureSeptember 4, 2008 I bought this book for my two daughters, my grandson and myself. I had seen Mr. Pausch on TV and was so inspired by his positive message. I wanted to share it with my family so that they might take a more positive look at a rough situation. My two daughters absolutely loved the story and couldn't put it down. I myself have yet to read it.
A very wise manSeptember 4, 2008 This book was so inspiring to me, Randy, was quite a wise and intellegent man... Even in his hour of need, he thought of his Family, and to spread the word of GOD , do not lie, believe in yourself and what intellegence you might have can help someone in need...
I truly admie this man, and all that he has written... you see my beloved Sister also died from Pancreatic Cancer..., and with Randy's help in Faith, I believe my Sister is in Heaven...
I thank you Randy and your beautiful Family for your precious Guidence... May GOD Bless you all... ( Ms ) April L. Paquin.
Guide Book To Life!September 4, 2008 EVERYONE can learn from this book!
What an amazing man and what an amazing set of lessons to take to heart.
READ THIS BOOK!
Super Ego ManiacSeptember 4, 2008 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I absolutely wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. I didn't know the man, but I know the type. Randy comes of a super ego maniac that loves being stroked. This is a celebration of his life, but not for his kids as much as for him. If his kids were so important to him why didn't he spend every waking minute with them. ANY good parent would dedicate all the little time left on earth to their kids. I'm sorry, I feel bad cause the man died, but this book isn't more than fluff.
