Dr. Randy Pausch Essay Example for Free

Dr. Randy Pausch Essay Dr. Randy Pausch was an American professor of computer Science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He learned that he had suffering from the pancreatic cancer in September 2006, and in August 2007 he was giving a terminal diagnosis:†3 to 6 months of good health left.† He gave an upbeat lecture titled â€Å"The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.† On September 18, 2007, at Camegie Mellon University. On the stage that day, Randy was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly funny. He seemed invincible. But this was a brief moment, as he himself acknowledged. If you knew you were going to die and you had one last lecture. What would you say to your students? For Dr. Randy Pausch, there’s an elephant in the room and the elephant in the room is that for him it wasn’t hypothetical. It has now come back after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and the doctor told him there’s nothing to do and he has months to live. These are his most recent CT scans. The pancreatic cancer has spread to his liver. They’re approximately a dozen tumors. Even though he don’t like this but he can’t do anything about the fact that he is going to die. The Last Lecture by Dr. Randy Pausch on Oprah was about childhood dreams. His childhood dreams were being in the National Football League. This is one of the childhood dreams he didn’t achieve and it’s very important to know that, if you don’t achieve your dreams, you can still get a lot by trying for it. Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted. Dr. Randy Pausch’s second dream is to become a Walt Disney Imaginary. When he was eight, his family took the Pilgrimage to Disneyland in California and it was this incredible experience. The rides and the shows and the attractions and everything and he said, gosh, I’d like to make stuff like that when he get older. So he graduated from college and he tried to become an Imagineer. T hese are the people who make the magic. He got a lovely rejection letter and then he tried again after graduated school and he have kept all of these rejection letters over the years as an inspiration. But then the darndest thing happened. He worked hard and worked hard and he became a junior faculty member and he specialized in doing certain kinds of research. He developed a skill that was valuable to Disney and he got a chance to go there. Finally, he become a part of an Imagineering team and they worked on something called Aladdin’s Magic Carpet  Ride and it was incredibly cool however it took him over 15 years to do it and lots of tries. What he learned from that the brick walls that are in our way are there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out. They are there to give us a way to show how much we want it. Dr. Randy have a good relationship with his parents. His father is an incredible guy and he fought in World War II. He was clearly part of the greatest generation. Sadly, his father passed away a little over a year ago and when his mother was going through his thing that was when she discovered that in World War II, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. His mother was always there to keep him in check. Dr. Randy believed his parents encouraged him to cultivate his creative talents by letting him paint rockets on the walls of his house. When he got older and he bought his first car and he was so excited. According to Dr. Randy, people are more important than things. He just emptying a can of soda onto the back seat of his car when his sister was explains to his niece and nephew so they will not get his car dirty. He explain to her sister about it’s just a thing. Dr. Randy know he will dying soon so he choose to have fun today, tomorrow, and every other day he have left. If you want to achieve your dreams, you better work and play well with others. For him, a good apology has three parts, I’m sorry, it was my fault and how do I make it right? Most people skip that third part. Dr. Randy show his gratitude to the group of kids who helped him gets his dream job by brought them to Disney world. When people asked ‘How could you do it?’ and he said ‘How could I not do it?’ Gratitude is a very simple thing and it’s a very powerful thing. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you. If you live properly, the dreams will come to you.

Ken Wolfs Personalities and Problems Essay -- Ken Wolf Personalities

Ken Wolf's Personalities and Problems Ken Wolf, a professor of history at Murray Sate University and author of Personalities and Problems, wrote with the intent to illustrate the varied richness of human history over the past five centuries. He took various personalities such as adventurers, princes, political leaders, and writers and categorized them in a way for readers to draw lines between them to create a clearer view of world history for himself. Beginning each new chapter with a specific question about worldly concerns and disciplines allowed the readers to relate the topics to broader, more general scenarios of their cultures. Answering the questions in essay form gave examples of how certain cultures/ parts of the world dealt with those issues. The answers that pertained to the questions informed readers about many historical figures without drawing a time line for the course of history and simply reiterating information as in a textbook. Wolf's layout of the book created an interesting, clear, and informative s tudy of world civilizations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chapter twelve, about Erasmus and Luther, exemplified the interesting, clear, and informative way in which Wolf created his work. Although there are many other examples in Wolf's book as to how these aspects ring true to his purpose, I chose chapter two as only one reason. The question stated: To what extent is it possible to reform an institution from within? What intellectual and personal qualities cause some people to be more radical than others, and what are the implications of such differences in history (p.113).? After reading the essay, one might say that a person could go as far as possible to make something like reforms happen; but people may stand in his/her way. However, if that person is willing to lose or gain anything, such as excommunication from his/her Church or an increase of enemies, then he/she will extend to the distance needed. The essay answer also informed the reader of more general information, not solely facts on Erasmus and Luther. Reade rs learned that intellect and intelligence are not all that bring historical greatness. Personal qualities such as dominance, determination, perseverance, morality and empathy all play a role in making a difference in history. Some of these qualities can make the situation more radical than expected. Although Erasmus and Luther landed on the... ...ter influence on a large number of people than this slim little volume (p.26).?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lastly, Hammurabi, a famous lawgiver, would fascinate me. Hammurabi was a strict ruler who?s Code emphasized retaliation, ?an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?. I wonder if his approach to lawgiver and ruler was the best for his society at the time. I would like to engage in conversation about his thoughts on his code and if he believed that it was proven to work. I also would like to ask him, why did he base his code on a class system? Did you feel that you opened the doors for women by allowing them to live with another man under certain circumstances? I would also let him know that even though I do not agree with his Code, he set guidelines for future lawmakers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many other characters are important to me; however, these four struck me as very interesting. Questions and reasons for wanting to spend time with them are infinite. The most important question of all for each historical figure in the book Personalities and Problems would be ?what drove them to actually pursue those problems and create such phenomenal solutions, especially when solving the problem would be so difficult

First year students’ challenges Essay

Entering a collage is like entering to a new different culture for high school student. Students are not just entering a school, but they are entering an academic environment. Many challenges will be ahead for them since it is the first year of transition. Some students might need one or two semesters to adopt the new environment. The most common challenges that students will face are not only the academic challenge, but also time management and responsibility challenges. Academic challenge is the first difficulty for the freshman students. The academic workload is a lot more that they can think of. Indeed, they are required to read and research more for their homework, assignments, or research papers. For example, students are required to finish one book in one or two week in order to do their do assignment, while other classes also have much homework. Students cannot complain that they have much other homework to do, but they need to finish it one time, instead. Be able to do so, students will need to face another challenge that is time management. Time management will be the second challenge for the first year student as well. As I mentioned above, there are many workload that students need to finish, so student need to have time management. In fact, they need to plan what to do, how much time they need to spend for each of their homework, or they will not be able to finish it one time. For instance, they need to classify their work from urgent and important to important but not urgent. Form my own experience, I managed my work by considering which homework is more urgent then I did it first, and less urgent, I did it later. In addition, students will face the challenge of responsibility. After entering the college, the students will need to be on their owns. They need to have responsible for every activity they do, and every decision they make. They cannot put blame on somebody or something else. To instructor or other people, they are the mature now. If they are wake up late for school, for example, it is their fault, they cannot say because of this or because of that. In conclusion, the first year of transition can be one of the most challenges that they will have in their lives. They need to be more mature, and deal with the challenges they face by themselves.

Imperialism and South Africa - 1440 Words

Imperialism’s Effect on South Africa Imperialism was a movement that affected all parts of the world, beginning as early as the 19th century. Wealthy and established nations would annex and take control of underdeveloped nations and civilize them. This may sound good in theory, but Imperialism seemed to take advantage of the so-called â€Å"inferior† nations more than truly help them. The economic superpowers seized the land of the territories they thought to be subordinate, using it as trading depots, an outlet to gain natural resources, and to civilize the native people. These three factors continued to be a main staple in society of South Africa even after imperialism ended and it was an independent nation. Racial segregation was†¦show more content†¦He claimed that the land belonged to the French, as they were a superior race of people (Ferry 2). He exclaimed, â€Å"Gentlemen, we must speak more loudly and more honestly! We must say openly that inde ed the higher races have a right over the lower races† (Ferry 1). Ferry again went on to explain that it was the duty of the superior people to cultivate the lives of the natives. Paton and Great Britain also shared the same views on civilization as the French, but with more of a religious point of view. Missionaries were sent to spread Christianity, as Paton explains, â€Å"The islands of this group on which life and property are now comparatively safe, the 8,000 professed Christians on the group, and all the churches formed from among them are, by God’s blessing, the fruits of the labors of British missionaries, who, at great toil, expense, and loss of life have translated, got printed, and taught the natives to read the Bible in part or in whole in nine different languages of this group† (Paton 2). It seemed that all of the so-called superior countries agreed upon the fact that they saw the native people as subordinate beings. Together, these three factor s of Imperialism shaped the future of South Africa in the second half of the 20th century. Although South Africa was fundamentally independent during this time period, there were irreversible changes made in the mentality of the South African citizens. For instance, theShow MoreRelatedImperialism in South Africa1078 Words   |  5 PagesDuring Imperialistic times South Africa was a region of great resources that was greatly disputed over (Ellis). Europe’s main goal during these times was to compete against each other and played a â€Å"game† of which country can imperialize more African countries than the other. Imperialism was a curse to South Africa, because many wars, laws, and deaths were not necessary and would not have happened if South Africa were not imperialized. Imperialism is the domination by one country of political, economicRead MoreImperialism In South Africa Essay1299 Words   |  6 Pagesfor Lebanon, â€Å"So long as there is imperialism in the world, a permanent peace is impossible†. Throughout history the countries that have experienced imperialism from other countries have seen how it brings only conflicts and not peace. Africa has been one of the largest places to experience imperialism. Imperialism has affected Africa in many ways for a long time. However, one specific example of how imperialism brought anguish to people is the country of South Africa. An abundance of resources, butRead MoreThe Effects of European Imperialism on South Africa Essay1847 Words   |  8 PagesThe county of South Africa is an economically flourishing country and probably the most advanced country on the continent of Africa. However the entire continent of Africa is probably the most undeveloped part of the world. Why is South Africa so differ ent from the rest of its continent? Karen Politis Virk explains that it is because of South Africa’s developed economy and diverse population (Virk 40). South Africa has three main ethnic groups: African, Afrikaners, and the mixed race. The AfrikanersRead MoreBrionna Johnson. Mr. T.Kemiksizgil, Period 4. Mrs. K. Prinzo,1310 Words   |  6 PagesPrinzo, Period 6 03 March 2017 European Imperialism Good for Colonized Countries? Imagine you re in the 1700s and live in South Africa or another colonized country. You’ve gotten used to the new lifestyle, but then the Europeans come in and force imperialism onto you and your country. Being obliged to do something is what happened in South Africa. South Africa got colonized by Britain in 1795. Imperialism spread in the 1900s to Africa. So Africa was forced into having something theyRead MoreImperialism in Africa Essay620 Words   |  3 PagesMelissa B5 Imperialism in Africa In the late 1800’s Europeans took over Africa, took their resources,enslaving the Africans, and changed the course of history. The Europeans took over Africa, which is called The Scramble For Africa, in 1884-1914. The Europeans took over because Africa was rich in raw materials, they wanted power, and they thought their culture was superior. The driving force behind imperialism was need for resources, political competition, and technological advances. One drivingRead MoreEssay on Imperialism1578 Words   |  7 Pages Imperialism Imperialism Throughout time more powerful countries have extended their influence over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism causes the stronger countries to grow and become nations or even empires. There are many examples throughout European history of nations enveloping weaker countries and increasing their own wealth and power to form strong nation-states and even empires. Through imperialism one culture is invading anotherRead MoreEssay on Imperialism1350 Words   |  6 Pages Imperialism is often excused as a way of liberating people from tyrannical rule or by introducing the policies of a â€Å"better† way of life. It is based on the ground of a variety of causes running the gamut of economic pressures, greed, security, power, prestige, religion, and many other effective measures that can be taken given the circumstances. Arguments about the roots and virtue of imperialism can be put into four basic groups. The first is whether or not imperialism is economically beneficialRead MoreCompare and Contrast Old and New Imperialism Essay1217 Words   |  5 PagesCompare and Contrast old and new imperialism New Imperialism of the late 19th and early 20th centuries compared to Old Imperialism of the 16th and 17th centuries. Imperialism is the spread of control over territories across the globe. The Industrial Revolution and interests in nationalism created a new period of imperialism around 1750. Old imperialism lasted from 1450- 1750, but imperialism alone remained until 1914.Old imperialism and new imperialism shared the same basic concept of controllingRead MoreConsequences Of Colonization Of Africa1599 Words   |  7 PagesThrough the19th century to the start of the 20th century, Africa was at the mercy of Europe imperialism. Politics and economics led powerful European nations to colonize the continent of Africa. What was later coined as â€Å"The Scramble for Africa†, led powerful nations to aggressively take over the continent and exploit its materials, people, and land. The European powers that took control of most of Africa included Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Ita ly, Portugal, and Spain. The continent was dividedRead MoreNotes on Colonialism and Imperialism1489 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 33 Notes * Foundations of empire * Motives of imperialism * Modern imperialism * Refers to domination of industrialized countries over subject lands * Domination achieved through trade, investment, and business activities * Two types of modern colonialism * Colonies ruled and populated by migrants * Colonies controlled by imperial powers without significant settlement * Economic motives of imperialism * European merchants and entrepreneurs made personal