So far the book has consisted of two sections, the background story being the first. He (Randy Pausch) explains that he has cancer and that he only has a few months more to live. Then he goes into why he decided to give "the last lecture" even though his family needs him at home. After that he goes on to talk about the various challenges and obsticals he has encountered in his life, as well as a few other experiences.
""I have a sabbatical coming up," I said"(pg. 53) A sabbatical is basically a break from work.
"This kind of indirect learning is what some of us like to call a "head fake."" A head fake is when you move your head in one direction (specifically in football) and run the other to fool the others.
One connection I found was when he was talking about the world book and how he wanted to be a contribute, someone who writes and article or section for the World Book encyclopedia. I love working with computers and writing software for them, although I'm not very experienced yet. I have always wanted to get piece of software that i have written to be part of Linux, a part of an operating system that anyone can contribute code to if they want and if it is good enough. I just want to because it is two things, 1. if it is good and gets accepted it is something to be proud of, and 2. going along with the same thing it is fun to know that your code part of Linux and all the millions of computers running it. I think Randy Pausch was in the same mindset when it came to the World Book.
I can't pick a passage, the whole section very well written and important, picking two passages out would be damn near impossible.
my two discussion questions are: 1. what would you do if you only had a few months to live (I know a lot of people have probably used that in the past, but for good reason)? 2. do you agree with the statements that challenges are simply ways to show much much you want something?
SUMMARY Randy Pausch describes his cancer as " an engineering problem." He talks about the lecture as a means of expression, and a way to reach his kids. His wife jai had wanted him to stay home with her and the kids. Randy choose "really achieving your childhood dreams" as the topic for his lecture. VOCABULARY Pragmatism (pg.29) "Maybe it was a symbol of the balance in my life between aspiration and pragmatism. Definition-a practical approach to problems and affairs. Acclimate (pg.31) "Turns out that nasal have a plane it uses to help astronauts acclimate to zero gravity." Definition-to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation. QUOTES "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." (p. 17) My explanation= I think it means that we cannot decide many of our circumstances, for example: where we are born, if we are smart, if we are tall, if we are male or female, etcetera. But we can decide to use these things to make as good a life as possible for ourselves. “My parents were frugal. Unlike many Americans, they would never buy anything for the purposes of impressing other people, or as any kind of luxury for themselves.” (pg.41) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1) He chose “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” as the topic for his lecture. In what ways would this allow him to tell the story of his life, and to enable the dreams of others? 2) Randy said he realized many of his dreams because he had terrific parents. What details from his childhood do you think led to the successes he had later in life? Are there lessons in Randy’s story for people who’ve had less-fulfilling childhoods, or absentee parents? What advice might you give to those who didn’t win “the parent lottery”?
sum. Because my book I am currently reading, The Last Lecture, has approx. 206 pages my group and I decided to divide it up into 67-68 pages per section, making it 206 all together. I left off on the section “Adventures…And lessons learned.” To summarize what I have read so far, Randy Pausch makes a short intro. in the beginning of the novel, describing his true reasoning for the book. Given he only had a few months to live while completely the novel, the book acts as a way to teach his children what he would have taught them over the next twenty years if he were still living. In the following chapters, Randy Pausch goes on to talk about really achieving childhood dreams, and adventures/lessons he has learned along the way of achieving his child hood dreams. 2 VOCABULARY WORDS- Sabbatical - a leave usually taken every seventh year; Leave, leave of absence - the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty. “In 1995, I spent a six-month sabbatical as an Imagineer” (12). Cognitive Dissonance- n. Psychology A condition of conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistency between one's beliefs and one's actions, such as opposing the slaughter of animals and eating meat. “I mean the greatest thing of cognitive dissonance you will ever see is that I am in really good shape. In fact, I am in better shape than most of you” (18). -(cognitive dissonance because despite the conception that the 12 tumors in his liver would make him very unhealthy, he is in fact in good shape.”
CONNECTIONS - The most connections I made in particular were in the section “Childhood Dreams.” Being an imaginative child I had different dreams everyday like a menopausal woman goes through mood changes, they were constantly changing. I loved coming up with new dreams and now that I’m older I realize I can make everyone of those dreams come true with determination. I loved the way Pausch used something as simple as childhood dreams to distinguish how everyone is different, however, what wowed me the most was Pausch’s ability to chase after all of him dreams as oppose to just dreaming them, I was able to make a strong connection and become inspired as well..
1. “An injured lion wants to know if he can still roar…It’s about dignity and self-esteem, which isn’t quite the same as vanity” (8). Although this quote did involve a dictionary for double checks on word definitions, I picked this quote because it is what I like to call a “meaty quote,” something that can be picked apart. When Pausch makes the reference to an injured lion, he’s not directing literally to an injured lion, but the vision of a strong figure or person, hurt, still determined to do what they do best. In other words, when pausch talks about the injured lion, he’s talking about his own predicament. He stills wants to give one last goodbye to his work world and colleges, in a sense, to reserve his dignity and let everyone see his one last “roar” of excellence. Here is a man who isn’t quit ready to let the thrill of lecturing go, but not retired to a home life either. To summarize things up this last lecture is about his dignity and self-esteem, his last bit to give, not quite the same as vanity, or some excessive amount or ego or pride to prove to him. 2. “Just because you’re in the driver’s seat…doesn’t mean you have to run people over” (23). One thing I am starting to pick up on is Pausch’s perfect way of weaving life lessons, things he thinks may be important for his children to know, into his lecture about something so completely irrelevant. Pausch says these sections are about childhood dreams, what defines us and lessons he learned but they all come together to serve for his children, including this quote. The quote means, just because you are in a position of lead or strength, does not mean you should take advantage of it and not play fair; for example “walking” or “running” over someone. I was taken back by the insane intelligence someone would have to come to such fair grounds. Not so much was it insanely intelligent, but it goes against all people know about human nature. I think this is a great quote for people to live and learn off of!
Discussion questions 1. Can you think of any head fakes Pausch has used so far? 2. If you only had a few months to live would do you something like Pausch did with his “Last Lecture?” amanda d link in next post
CONNECTIONS - The most connections I made in particular were in the section “Childhood Dreams.” Being an imaginative child I had different dreams everyday like a menopausal woman goes through mood changes, they were constantly changing. I loved coming up with new dreams and now that I’m older I realize I can make everyone of those dreams come true with determination. I loved the way Pausch used something as simple as childhood dreams to distinguish how everyone is different, however, what wowed me the most was Pausch’s ability to chase after all of him dreams as oppose to just dreaming them, I was able to make a strong connection and become inspired as well..
1. “An injured lion wants to know if he can still roar…It’s about dignity and self-esteem, which isn’t quite the same as vanity” (8). Although this quote did involve a dictionary for double checks on word definitions, I picked this quote because it is what I like to call a “meaty quote,” something that can be picked apart. When Pausch makes the reference to an injured lion, he’s not directing literally to an injured lion, but the vision of a strong figure or person, hurt, still determined to do what they do best. In other words, when pausch talks about the injured lion, he’s talking about his own predicament. He stills wants to give one last goodbye to his work world and colleges, in a sense, to reserve his dignity and let everyone see his one last “roar” of excellence. Here is a man who isn’t quit ready to let the thrill of lecturing go, but not retired to a home life either. To summarize things up this last lecture is about his dignity and self-esteem, his last bit to give, not quite the same as vanity, or some excessive amount or ego or pride to prove to him. 2. “Just because you’re in the driver’s seat…doesn’t mean you have to run people over” (23). One thing I am starting to pick up on is Pausch’s perfect way of weaving life lessons, things he thinks may be important for his children to know, into his lecture about something so completely irrelevant. Pausch says these sections are about childhood dreams, what defines us and lessons he learned but they all come together to serve for his children, including this quote. The quote means, just because you are in a position of lead or strength, does not mean you should take advantage of it and not play fair; for example “walking” or “running” over someone. I was taken back by the insane intelligence someone would have to come to such fair grounds. Not so much was it insanely intelligent, but it goes against all people know about human nature. I think this is a great quote for people to live and learn off of! Discussion questions 1. Can you think of any head fakes Pausch has used so far? 2. If you only had a few months to live would do you something like Pausch did with his “Last Lecture?”
I like bushra's comment about what to do if you didnt win "the parent lottery" because a lot of people find it hard to find such success as Pausch's when in that prediciment amanda d
(response to busra's first question) I think the section "Really achieving your childhood dreams" helped him describe his life simply because he did actually fulfill most of his child hood dreams. I also think he didn't include that section to help others achieve their childhood dreams, rather than to lead up to what he said about brick walls, or maybe even just to talk about his life experiences without trying to give people anything in particular to take away from it. (second question) I think the big reason Randy "won the parent lottery" is that his parents helped give him an interest in learning and an interest in knowledge mostly with the World Book. Because of that he must always have been thinking about things and that makes you smarter and more knowledgeable.
in the novel "The Last Lecture" Randy realizes that his life wont be happening for to much longer so he needs to make the best of the time that he has left. In the novel he tries to do so many things to fullfill his own life long dream to go out with a bang and to be with his kids and have them get to know there father the best that they can. The word cognitive dissonance used in the text is used to show that even though he should be upset or depressed and ill looking, he's not he's happy and in very good shape as the story says. "I mean, the greatest thing of cognitive dissonance you will ever see is that i am in really good shape. In fact i am in better shape then most of you." he just shows how even though all of this illness should be getting him down and upset he isn't going to let it. He's going to accomplish everything because he dies bcunningham.
continued, this section talks about Randys life in general it shows how he came from being a "player" to finding the love of his life at first sight and marrying her. he proved that what he wanted if he tried for he would get it, thats the way so many of his dreams became accomplished. One connection i have made to this story is about dreams coming true, when i was younger i always wanted to be something and to do something well and i try and Randy has proven that if you keep on trying you can accomplish so much and yall of your dreams can come true.
discussion questions:
what do you think about randy deciding he didnt want to be a player after seeing jai for the first time ?
what do you think it meant to randy whenn his parents allowed him to paint and draw whatever he liked all over his room?
clarification question:
dont you agree that randy accomplished all of his dreams to the fullest ?
SUMMARY Randy makes a distinction between "people" and "things." He reminds readers that even wonderful life events such as a wedding or the birth of a child are fraught with unexpected dangers.Randy and Jai have a deep love for one another. And yet, like other couples,they've had to work hard on their relationship. VOCABULARY incessantly (pg. 66) "I was always telling her what to do, as if our birth order was a mistake that i was incessantly trying to correct." definition- continuing or following without interruption. preoccupied(pg. 99) "She knew i was preoccupied, heading to the Internet to research possible medical treatment." definition-excessively concerned with something; distracted. QUOTES "Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something."(pg.79) my explanation-Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the "other" people. "Take a time out. It's not a real vacation if you 're reading email or calling in for messages." DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -What did you learn from the way Randy and Jai handled the problems before them in these chapters? -What did you learn about getting along with others, about mutual respect,and about the power of love?
SUMMARY Randy believes the number one goal for educators should be helping students learn how to judge themselves. Randy and his colleagues tried to attract girls into the field of computer science.He's proud of " The Alice Proect," and calls it his greatest legacy. Randy missed the 1969 moonwalk because he was sent to bed by camp counselors. VOCABULARY unfaced(pg.115) "He saw the data ranking him in the bottom quartile and remained unfazed." definition- Informal not disconcerted; unperturbed. appreciative(pg.120) "I was incrediply appreciative that Tommy felt i helped enable his dreams." definition-feeling,expressing, or capable of appreciation. QUOTES "Hard work is like compounded interest in the bank. the rewards build faster."(pg.156) "Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."(pg.151) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -What advice would you give to his colleaques, as they go about trying to carry on Randy's vision? -What advice would you give to adults about helping kids to dream big?
Jai had been getting more and more nervous as the days went on, she went on websites for cancer patients because she didn’t know what else to do. While she was worrying I was thinking about all of the new things I was finding out about my father. We were finding out new things about both of them after reading this section. Iterations- the action or process of iterating or repeating. “in upoming iterations,people will think they’re writing movie scripts” Colleagues- a fellow memberof a profession “Alice now developed by my colleagues will be even better the what we’ve done in the past” Connection- my connection to this story is that I know I would want to know more about things if I was both of them too. “I’ve told her this story, and now she tells others.” Pg. 153 even when he is gone all of his thoughts and words that have inspired and changed the lives of others are going to continue to change them . “people who know me sometimes complain that I see things in black and white. In fact one of my colleagues would tell people: go talk to randy if you want black and white advice, but if you want gray hes not the guy.” Pg164 he sees things clearly and he doesn’t give you something to have to wonder about. Discustion questions- 1.) Why do you think Randy has such an open mind towards everything that gets thrown at him? 2.) What do you think everyone is going to do with all of the things he has taught them?
Clarificationat- What do you think jai is going to do with everything that she gets left behind with? bcunningham
Please post: Section three – pages 105-170 Summarizing the third section of the book, “The Last Lecture”, Pausch goes off his idea of childhood dreams and from page 105 to around 130; talks about enabling the dreams of others. Almost using a trick technique, Pausch tells us it’s not all about child hood dreams but about how you live your life. He goes on to tell many inspiring stories and rousing life lessons. The stories I read in just this small section will stay with me forever, both in my future academics, dreams and my approach of the world. VOCABULARY Merits: noun Something that deserves or justifies a reward or commendation; a commendable quality, act, etc. “And then, if you can convince my new-in-laws that your emergency merits interrupting their only daughter’s honeymoon, they have our number” (111). Autonomous: adjective Self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws only. “ These were students whose paths might never had reason to cross, given how autonomous the various disciplines at Carnegie Mellon could be” (122). Chutzpah: noun Nearly arrogant courage unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity “And, if you have large ambitions and a measure of chutzpah, you can attempt to do it on a grand scale, trying to enable the dreams of millions of people” (126). Fathom: verb (with object) To penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand “He endured racism that many young people today couldn’t even fathom today” (139). Algorithms: noun A set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, as for finding the greatest common divisor. “They’d be discussing computer algorithms and I’d be speaking football” (147) continued
*1 or more CONNECTIONS (explained) One huge connection I can make to the reading, specifically at my life right now, is the chapter “A Bad Apology Is Worse than No Apology.” I am at the time in my life where I feel I am becoming more mature than some of my friends and vice versa to I, fights are going to occur inevitably. Ironically enough, last week a long time best friend and I got into a serious fight. For a while we would give each other sarcastic apologies but “a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound,” (161) and afterwards people become offended at the fact that they should deserve an “honest apology.” Moving on, I came to good terms when I saw Pausch’s statement, “After all, what are the odds that they get to the right emotional place to apologize at the exact moment you do? So just be patient…Your patience will be both appreciated and rewarded” (163). No body is a hundred percent evil and if you give people time they will surprise you. Three days later, my friend apologized and it’s as if nothing ever happened in the first place.
“Time is all you have. And you may find one day tat you have less than you think” (111). This quote caught my attention, because it was at the very end of a chapter talking only about managing your time to progress. Although, I found it a slight contradiction it serves a very useful purpose. Pausch uses many methods in this novel called “head fakes” and I believe this is one of them. Pausch talks about managing your time to make you believe you’ll get more done, but really he is teaching you, the reader, to enjoy the time you have for it is limited and one day you may find your self in a sad position like Randy’s where time is barely left. The rest of the book is fit around the idea of “time,” surrendering and letting the little things pass; life’s too short. Ridding of time consuming projects or even avoiding drama will make people more fortunate for the time left to live and spend well. “I’ve heard so many people talk of a downward spiral in our educational system and I think one key factor is that there is too much stroking and too little real feedback” (114). This quote is so true for society today and how much people have changed in the hope to “build self- esteem in others and avoid hurting feelings.” However, in real reality, if someone doesn’t care enough to give someone honest feedback while they are still young enough to absorb it they are only hurting them and there potential to grow in the future. What I mean by that is when people receive light feedback they often go into denial and turn to the common phrase “it could be worse,” however, a hard slap in the face of truth is sometimes necessary for improvements, changes and growth within someone. Critics care about you the most because they give constant feedback on your flaws, what separates one person from another is there ability to listen and absorb it.
1. What’s favorite tip or lesson about living life in the chapter, “It’s about How You Live Your Life?” 2. What do you think is the most important; did Randy teach you anything new about people and society? amanda d
*1 or more CONNECTIONS (explained) One huge connection I can make to the reading, specifically at my life right now, is the chapter “A Bad Apology Is Worse than No Apology.” I am at the time in my life where I feel I am becoming more mature than some of my friends and vice versa to I, fights are going to occur inevitably. Ironically enough, last week a long time best friend and I got into a serious fight. For a while we would give each other sarcastic apologies but “a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound,” (161) and afterwards people become offended at the fact that they should deserve an “honest apology.” Moving on, I came to good terms when I saw Pausch’s statement, “After all, what are the odds that they get to the right emotional place to apologize at the exact moment you do? So just be patient…Your patience will be both appreciated and rewarded” (163). No body is a hundred percent evil and if you give people time they will surprise you. Three days later, my friend apologized and it’s as if nothing ever happened in the first place. amanda d cont.
links to videos I found- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8uZBKyrKTU&feature=fvst oprah full lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIysXLiA5s0&feature=related amanda d
to answer bridgets question "why do you think randy has such open mind about everything that gets throw to him?" i think it has a lot to do with his parents and the way he was brought up his parents taught him alot of things and helped him have an open mind about all people. - if she meant it in the way why does he have such an open mind about his disease, then i think his urge to live out his life and leave something behind for his children would be a good answer\ amanda d
Randy always felt the need to be prepared for everything that he did, he always said that if its less than an A effort it isnt good enough. he says "any effort less than A really isnt good enough, ever."
why do you think Randy never wanted to put less than an A effort into things?
what do you think Randys motivation to make everything so worth while was?
vocabulary- scenerio- an outline of plot of dramatic work. "but when trying to make a decision i often think of the worst case scenerio."
unavoidable- not able to be avoided. "the friction between students was unavoidable"
connection- my connection to the text was that i try to make things well and do them well just like randy did.
clarification- why do you think that randy was such a good person? bcunningham
So far the book has consisted of two sections, the background story being the first. He (Randy Pausch) explains that he has cancer and that he only has a few months more to live. Then he goes into why he decided to give "the last lecture" even though his family needs him at home. After that he goes on to talk about the various challenges and obsticals he has encountered in his life, as well as a few other experiences.
ReplyDelete""I have a sabbatical coming up," I said"(pg. 53)
A sabbatical is basically a break from work.
"This kind of indirect learning is what some of us like to call a "head fake.""
A head fake is when you move your head in one direction (specifically in football) and run the other to fool the others.
One connection I found was when he was talking about the world book and how he wanted to be a contribute, someone who writes and article or section for the World Book encyclopedia. I love working with computers and writing software for them, although I'm not very experienced yet. I have always wanted to get piece of software that i have written to be part of Linux, a part of an operating system that anyone can contribute code to if they want and if it is good enough. I just want to because it is two things, 1. if it is good and gets accepted it is something to be proud of, and 2. going along with the same thing it is fun to know that your code part of Linux and all the millions of computers running it. I think Randy Pausch was in the same mindset when it came to the World Book.
I can't pick a passage, the whole section very well written and important, picking two passages out would be damn near impossible.
my two discussion questions are:
1. what would you do if you only had a few months to live (I know a lot of people have probably used that in the past, but for good reason)?
2. do you agree with the statements that challenges are simply ways to show much much you want something?
-Brede
SUMMARY
ReplyDeleteRandy Pausch describes his cancer as " an engineering problem." He talks about the lecture as a means of expression, and a way to reach his kids. His wife jai had wanted him to stay home with her and the kids. Randy choose "really achieving your childhood dreams" as the topic for his lecture.
VOCABULARY
Pragmatism (pg.29)
"Maybe it was a symbol of the balance in my life between aspiration and pragmatism.
Definition-a practical approach to problems and affairs.
Acclimate (pg.31)
"Turns out that nasal have a plane it uses to help astronauts acclimate to zero gravity."
Definition-to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation.
QUOTES
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." (p. 17)
My explanation= I think it means that we cannot decide many of our circumstances, for example: where we are born, if we are smart, if we are tall, if we are male or female, etcetera. But we can decide to use these things to make as good a life as possible for ourselves.
“My parents were frugal. Unlike many Americans, they would never buy anything for the purposes of impressing other people, or as any kind of luxury for themselves.” (pg.41)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) He chose “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” as the topic for his lecture. In what
ways would this allow him to tell the story of his life, and to enable the dreams of others?
2) Randy said he realized many of his dreams because he had terrific parents. What details from his
childhood do you think led to the successes he had later in life? Are there lessons in Randy’s story
for people who’ve had less-fulfilling childhoods, or absentee parents? What advice might you give
to those who didn’t win “the parent lottery”?
sum.
ReplyDeleteBecause my book I am currently reading, The Last Lecture, has approx. 206 pages my group and I decided to divide it up into 67-68 pages per section, making it 206 all together. I left off on the section “Adventures…And lessons learned.” To summarize what I have read so far, Randy Pausch makes a short intro. in the beginning of the novel, describing his true reasoning for the book. Given he only had a few months to live while completely the novel, the book acts as a way to teach his children what he would have taught them over the next twenty years if he were still living. In the following chapters, Randy Pausch goes on to talk about really achieving childhood dreams, and adventures/lessons he has learned along the way of achieving his child hood dreams.
2 VOCABULARY WORDS-
Sabbatical - a leave usually taken every seventh year; Leave, leave of absence - the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty.
“In 1995, I spent a six-month sabbatical as an Imagineer” (12).
Cognitive Dissonance-
n. Psychology
A condition of conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistency between one's beliefs and one's actions, such as opposing the slaughter of animals and eating meat.
“I mean the greatest thing of cognitive dissonance you will ever see is that I am in really good shape. In fact, I am in better shape than most of you” (18). -(cognitive dissonance because despite the conception that the 12 tumors in his liver would make him very unhealthy, he is in fact in good shape.”
continued amanda d
CONNECTIONS
ReplyDelete- The most connections I made in particular were in the section “Childhood Dreams.” Being an imaginative child I had different dreams everyday like a menopausal woman goes through mood changes, they were constantly changing. I loved coming up with new dreams and now that I’m older I realize I can make everyone of those dreams come true with determination. I loved the way Pausch used something as simple as childhood dreams to distinguish how everyone is different, however, what wowed me the most was Pausch’s ability to chase after all of him dreams as oppose to just dreaming them, I was able to make a strong connection and become inspired as well..
1. “An injured lion wants to know if he can still roar…It’s about dignity and self-esteem, which isn’t quite the same as vanity” (8).
Although this quote did involve a dictionary for double checks on word definitions, I picked this quote because it is what I like to call a “meaty quote,” something that can be picked apart. When Pausch makes the reference to an injured lion, he’s not directing literally to an injured lion, but the vision of a strong figure or person, hurt, still determined to do what they do best. In other words, when pausch talks about the injured lion, he’s talking about his own predicament. He stills wants to give one last goodbye to his work world and colleges, in a sense, to reserve his dignity and let everyone see his one last “roar” of excellence. Here is a man who isn’t quit ready to let the thrill of lecturing go, but not retired to a home life either. To summarize things up this last lecture is about his dignity and self-esteem, his last bit to give, not quite the same as vanity, or some excessive amount or ego or pride to prove to him.
2. “Just because you’re in the driver’s seat…doesn’t mean you have to run people over” (23).
One thing I am starting to pick up on is Pausch’s perfect way of weaving life lessons, things he thinks may be important for his children to know, into his lecture about something so completely irrelevant. Pausch says these sections are about childhood dreams, what defines us and lessons he learned but they all come together to serve for his children, including this quote. The quote means, just because you are in a position of lead or strength, does not mean you should take advantage of it and not play fair; for example “walking” or “running” over someone. I was taken back by the insane intelligence someone would have to come to such fair grounds. Not so much was it insanely intelligent, but it goes against all people know about human nature. I think this is a great quote for people to live and learn off of!
Discussion questions
1. Can you think of any head fakes Pausch has used so far?
2. If you only had a few months to live would do you something like Pausch did with his “Last Lecture?”
amanda d
link in next post
CONNECTIONS
ReplyDelete- The most connections I made in particular were in the section “Childhood Dreams.” Being an imaginative child I had different dreams everyday like a menopausal woman goes through mood changes, they were constantly changing. I loved coming up with new dreams and now that I’m older I realize I can make everyone of those dreams come true with determination. I loved the way Pausch used something as simple as childhood dreams to distinguish how everyone is different, however, what wowed me the most was Pausch’s ability to chase after all of him dreams as oppose to just dreaming them, I was able to make a strong connection and become inspired as well..
1. “An injured lion wants to know if he can still roar…It’s about dignity and self-esteem, which isn’t quite the same as vanity” (8).
Although this quote did involve a dictionary for double checks on word definitions, I picked this quote because it is what I like to call a “meaty quote,” something that can be picked apart. When Pausch makes the reference to an injured lion, he’s not directing literally to an injured lion, but the vision of a strong figure or person, hurt, still determined to do what they do best. In other words, when pausch talks about the injured lion, he’s talking about his own predicament. He stills wants to give one last goodbye to his work world and colleges, in a sense, to reserve his dignity and let everyone see his one last “roar” of excellence. Here is a man who isn’t quit ready to let the thrill of lecturing go, but not retired to a home life either. To summarize things up this last lecture is about his dignity and self-esteem, his last bit to give, not quite the same as vanity, or some excessive amount or ego or pride to prove to him.
2. “Just because you’re in the driver’s seat…doesn’t mean you have to run people over” (23).
One thing I am starting to pick up on is Pausch’s perfect way of weaving life lessons, things he thinks may be important for his children to know, into his lecture about something so completely irrelevant. Pausch says these sections are about childhood dreams, what defines us and lessons he learned but they all come together to serve for his children, including this quote. The quote means, just because you are in a position of lead or strength, does not mean you should take advantage of it and not play fair; for example “walking” or “running” over someone. I was taken back by the insane intelligence someone would have to come to such fair grounds. Not so much was it insanely intelligent, but it goes against all people know about human nature. I think this is a great quote for people to live and learn off of!
Discussion questions
1. Can you think of any head fakes Pausch has used so far?
2. If you only had a few months to live would do you something like Pausch did with his “Last Lecture?”
I like bushra's comment about what to do if you didnt win "the parent lottery" because a lot of people find it hard to find such success as Pausch's when in that prediciment
ReplyDeleteamanda d
(response to busra's first question)
ReplyDeleteI think the section "Really achieving your childhood dreams" helped him describe his life simply because he did actually fulfill most of his child hood dreams. I also think he didn't include that section to help others achieve their childhood dreams, rather than to lead up to what he said about brick walls, or maybe even just to talk about his life experiences without trying to give people anything in particular to take away from it.
(second question)
I think the big reason Randy "won the parent lottery" is that his parents helped give him an interest in learning and an interest in knowledge mostly with the World Book. Because of that he must always have been thinking about things and that makes you smarter and more knowledgeable.
in the novel "The Last Lecture" Randy realizes that his life wont be happening for to much longer so he needs to make the best of the time that he has left. In the novel he tries to do so many things to fullfill his own life long dream to go out with a bang and to be with his kids and have them get to know there father the best that they can. The word cognitive dissonance used in the text is used to show that even though he should be upset or depressed and ill looking, he's not he's happy and in very good shape as the story says. "I mean, the greatest thing of cognitive dissonance you will ever see is that i am in really good shape. In fact i am in better shape then most of you." he just shows how even though all of this illness should be getting him down and upset he isn't going to let it. He's going to accomplish everything because he dies
ReplyDeletebcunningham.
continued, this section talks about Randys life in general it shows how he came from being a "player" to finding the love of his life at first sight and marrying her. he proved that what he wanted if he tried for he would get it, thats the way so many of his dreams became accomplished. One connection i have made to this story is about dreams coming true, when i was younger i always wanted to be something and to do something well and i try and Randy has proven that if you keep on trying you can accomplish so much and yall of your dreams can come true.
ReplyDeletediscussion questions:
what do you think about randy deciding he didnt want to be a player after seeing jai for the first time ?
what do you think it meant to randy whenn his parents allowed him to paint and draw whatever he liked all over his room?
clarification question:
dont you agree that randy accomplished all of his dreams to the fullest ?
bcunningham
SUMMARY
ReplyDeleteRandy makes a distinction between "people" and "things." He reminds readers that even wonderful life events such as a wedding or the birth of a child are fraught with unexpected dangers.Randy and Jai have a deep love for one another. And yet, like other couples,they've had to work hard on their relationship.
VOCABULARY
incessantly (pg. 66)
"I was always telling her what to do, as if our birth order was a mistake that i was incessantly trying to correct."
definition- continuing or following without interruption.
preoccupied(pg. 99)
"She knew i was preoccupied, heading to the Internet to research possible medical treatment."
definition-excessively concerned with something; distracted.
QUOTES
"Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something."(pg.79)
my explanation-Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the "other" people.
"Take a time out. It's not a real vacation if you 're reading email or calling in for messages."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
-What did you learn from the way Randy and Jai handled the problems before them in these chapters?
-What did you learn about getting along with others, about mutual respect,and about the power of love?
SUMMARY
ReplyDeleteRandy believes the number one goal for educators should be helping students learn how to judge themselves. Randy and his colleagues tried to attract girls into the field of computer science.He's proud of " The Alice Proect," and calls it his greatest legacy. Randy missed the 1969 moonwalk because he was sent to bed by camp counselors.
VOCABULARY
unfaced(pg.115)
"He saw the data ranking him in the bottom quartile and remained unfazed."
definition- Informal not disconcerted; unperturbed.
appreciative(pg.120)
"I was incrediply appreciative that Tommy felt i helped enable his dreams."
definition-feeling,expressing, or capable of appreciation.
QUOTES
"Hard work is like compounded interest in the bank. the rewards build faster."(pg.156)
"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."(pg.151)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
-What advice would you give to his colleaques, as they go about trying to carry on Randy's vision?
-What advice would you give to adults about helping kids to dream big?
Jai had been getting more and more nervous as the days went on, she went on websites for cancer patients because she didn’t know what else to do. While she was worrying I was thinking about all of the new things I was finding out about my father. We were finding out new things about both of them after reading this section.
ReplyDeleteIterations- the action or process of iterating or repeating.
“in upoming iterations,people will think they’re writing movie scripts”
Colleagues- a fellow memberof a profession
“Alice now developed by my colleagues will be even better the what we’ve done in the past”
Connection- my connection to this story is that I know I would want to know more about things if I was both of them too.
“I’ve told her this story, and now she tells others.” Pg. 153 even when he is gone all of his thoughts and words that have inspired and changed the lives of others are going to continue to change them .
“people who know me sometimes complain that I see things in black and white. In fact one of my colleagues would tell people: go talk to randy if you want black and white advice, but if you want gray hes not the guy.” Pg164 he sees things clearly and he doesn’t give you something to have to wonder about.
Discustion questions-
1.) Why do you think Randy has such an open mind towards everything that gets thrown at him?
2.) What do you think everyone is going to do with all of the things he has taught them?
Clarificationat-
What do you think jai is going to do with everything that she gets left behind with?
bcunningham
Please post: Section three – pages 105-170
ReplyDeleteSummarizing the third section of the book, “The Last Lecture”, Pausch goes off his idea of childhood dreams and from page 105 to around 130; talks about enabling the dreams of others. Almost using a trick technique, Pausch tells us it’s not all about child hood dreams but about how you live your life. He goes on to tell many inspiring stories and rousing life lessons. The stories I read in just this small section will stay with me forever, both in my future academics, dreams and my approach of the world.
VOCABULARY
Merits: noun
Something that deserves or justifies a reward or commendation; a commendable quality, act, etc.
“And then, if you can convince my new-in-laws that your emergency merits interrupting their only daughter’s honeymoon, they have our number” (111).
Autonomous: adjective
Self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws only.
“ These were students whose paths might never had reason to cross, given how autonomous the various disciplines at Carnegie Mellon could be” (122).
Chutzpah: noun
Nearly arrogant courage unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity
“And, if you have large ambitions and a measure of chutzpah, you can attempt to do it on a grand scale, trying to enable the dreams of millions of people” (126).
Fathom: verb (with object)
To penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand
“He endured racism that many young people today couldn’t even fathom today” (139).
Algorithms: noun
A set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, as for finding the greatest common divisor.
“They’d be discussing computer algorithms and I’d be speaking football” (147)
continued
*1 or more CONNECTIONS (explained)
ReplyDeleteOne huge connection I can make to the reading, specifically at my life right now, is the chapter “A Bad Apology Is Worse than No Apology.” I am at the time in my life where I feel I am becoming more mature than some of my friends and vice versa to I, fights are going to occur inevitably. Ironically enough, last week a long time best friend and I got into a serious fight. For a while we would give each other sarcastic apologies but “a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound,” (161) and afterwards people become offended at the fact that they should deserve an “honest apology.” Moving on, I came to good terms when I saw Pausch’s statement, “After all, what are the odds that they get to the right emotional place to apologize at the exact moment you do? So just be patient…Your patience will be both appreciated and rewarded” (163). No body is a hundred percent evil and if you give people time they will surprise you. Three days later, my friend apologized and it’s as if nothing ever happened in the first place.
“Time is all you have. And you may find one day tat you have less than you think” (111).
This quote caught my attention, because it was at the very end of a chapter talking only about managing your time to progress. Although, I found it a slight contradiction it serves a very useful purpose. Pausch uses many methods in this novel called “head fakes” and I believe this is one of them. Pausch talks about managing your time to make you believe you’ll get more done, but really he is teaching you, the reader, to enjoy the time you have for it is limited and one day you may find your self in a sad position like Randy’s where time is barely left. The rest of the book is fit around the idea of “time,” surrendering and letting the little things pass; life’s too short. Ridding of time consuming projects or even avoiding drama will make people more fortunate for the time left to live and spend well.
“I’ve heard so many people talk of a downward spiral in our educational system and I think one key factor is that there is too much stroking and too little real feedback” (114).
This quote is so true for society today and how much people have changed in the hope to “build self- esteem in others and avoid hurting feelings.” However, in real reality, if someone doesn’t care enough to give someone honest feedback while they are still young enough to absorb it they are only hurting them and there potential to grow in the future. What I mean by that is when people receive light feedback they often go into denial and turn to the common phrase “it could be worse,” however, a hard slap in the face of truth is sometimes necessary for improvements, changes and growth within someone. Critics care about you the most because they give constant feedback on your flaws, what separates one person from another is there ability to listen and absorb it.
1. What’s favorite tip or lesson about living life in the chapter, “It’s about How You Live Your Life?”
2. What do you think is the most important; did Randy teach you anything new about people and society?
amanda d
*1 or more CONNECTIONS (explained)
ReplyDeleteOne huge connection I can make to the reading, specifically at my life right now, is the chapter “A Bad Apology Is Worse than No Apology.” I am at the time in my life where I feel I am becoming more mature than some of my friends and vice versa to I, fights are going to occur inevitably. Ironically enough, last week a long time best friend and I got into a serious fight. For a while we would give each other sarcastic apologies but “a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound,” (161) and afterwards people become offended at the fact that they should deserve an “honest apology.” Moving on, I came to good terms when I saw Pausch’s statement, “After all, what are the odds that they get to the right emotional place to apologize at the exact moment you do? So just be patient…Your patience will be both appreciated and rewarded” (163). No body is a hundred percent evil and if you give people time they will surprise you. Three days later, my friend apologized and it’s as if nothing ever happened in the first place.
amanda d cont.
last comment a run off sorry!
ReplyDeletelinks to videos I found-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8uZBKyrKTU&feature=fvst
oprah
full lecture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIysXLiA5s0&feature=related
amanda d
to answer bridgets question "why do you think randy has such open mind about everything that gets throw to him?" i think it has a lot to do with his parents and the way he was brought up his parents taught him alot of things and helped him have an open mind about all people.
ReplyDelete- if she meant it in the way why does he have such an open mind about his disease, then i think his urge to live out his life and leave something behind for his children would be a good answer\
amanda d
Randy always felt the need to be prepared for everything that he did, he always said that if its less than an A effort it isnt good enough. he says "any effort less than A really isnt good enough, ever."
ReplyDeletewhy do you think Randy never wanted to put less than an A effort into things?
what do you think Randys motivation to make everything so worth while was?
vocabulary-
scenerio- an outline of plot of dramatic work.
"but when trying to make a decision i often think of the worst case scenerio."
unavoidable- not able to be avoided.
"the friction between students was unavoidable"
connection- my connection to the text was that i try to make things well and do them well just like randy did.
clarification- why do you think that randy was such a good person?
bcunningham