The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture was the ultimate final project for Carnegie Mellon University professor of computer science Randy Pausch after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The title of his lecture was "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" and in it he explored some of his favorite childhood stories and how those influenced the person he eventually grew to be. At the core of his transmission is a message about following your heart and your whims, even when they maybe don’t make sense.

The positive reception of the lecture led to him co-writing the book with Jeffrey Zaslow, which became an instant best-seller when published in April 2008. He died three months later on July 25, 2008.

Why you should watch this

• The message of this lecture/book is a relief for anyone who is dealing with a terminal health diagnosis either personally or relationally. It helps you let go of regret and reflect on your choices in a new light.

• Even if you don’t know when, we all know we are going to die. If you are battling any existential or age-related crises and feel lost, it can be helpful to reconnect to your inner child and their desires.