STUDY QUESTIONS: THE LAST LECTURE Randy Pausch

Chapter 1 – Pages 3-10 – An Injured Lion Still Wants to Roar

1. What is the significance of this title? The lion is referring to him and his illness and that it won't let it stop him 2. What was the important questions that professors were asked to answer in the “Journeys Series,” formerly called “The Last Lecture Series?” They are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. 3. What was Pausch diagnosed with? 4. What news did Pausch receive the week he was supposed to give his lecture? His recent treatment did not work and he had a couple months to live 5. Why didn’t he choose to back out of speaking engagement? He wanted to say goodbye to his "work family" 6. On what two grounds did Jai Pausch feel that her husband should decline the speaking offer? It will be her last birthday with him, and she wants him to spend as much time as possible with her and the kids 7. How did Jai feel Pausch would choose to spend his time? With his family instead 8. Who helped Pausch make up his mind to give his last lecture? His doctor 9. According to Pausch, what was his motivation to perform?

10. How old were Pausch’s kids? Five, two, and one 11. What questions did Pausch think his lecture would answer for his kids? Who he was and what he cared about 12. Where did Pausch say his natural habitat was? On a college campus now front of students 13. What was the one question Pausch felt compelled to address? What makes him unique 14. According to Pausch, what made him unique? His dreams 15. Before Pausch could speak, what was he asked to provide? A title for the lecture 16. What title did Pausch send in an email to the lecture organizers? Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams Chapter 2 – Pages 11–14 – My Life in a Laptop

1. Why wasn’t Pausch’s speech in text format? He is a visual thinker 2. In what format did the author’s speech take?

Total: 467 questions -1- 3. Why didn’t Jai plan to attend Pausch’s talk? Deal with things for the next move in life 4. Who met Pausch at the Airport on September 17? Steve sea of 5. What position did he have? Computer science professor 6. What feedback was Pausch given about his talk? Shorten it 7. What was ironic about the waitress’s remark about her pregnancy and Pausch’s medical condition? One of her kids name was Chloe like on of his kids 8. After lunch when Pausch was in his hotel, why did Pausch have doubts about his talk? He was think about his kids 9. How many total slides did Pausch’s presentation have before he stood at the podium?

10. How did he feel before his presentation? Nervous

Chapter 3 – Pages 15 –19 – The Elephant in the Room

1. What is the significance of the chapter’s title? Everyone is focused on him

2. How was Pausch dressed? (Be specific). Casual, collared shirt with the Disney logo

3. What was Walt Disney’s motto as he planned for his theme park fantasies? If you can dream it you can do it 4. Why did Pausch show his audience his CT scans? To let them know his condition 5. Pausch said he looked good and felt good. How was this possible when he was suffering from pancreatic cancer? His body was recovering from therapy 6. What surprise did he give his audience? He started doing push-ups Chapter 4 – Pages 20-26 – The Parent Lottery

1. How did Pausch describe his ”winning ticket?” He meant his parents where good people

2. How did he characterize “money” in his family? Money wasn't an issue because they

3. What did his parents say when he wanted to go to a movie? Saw no reason to spend a lot Go watch tv or read a book 4. When Pausch was growing up, he thought there were two types of families. What were they? Those who needed a dictionary to get threw dinner and those who don't

5. What was Pausch’s dad’s opinion about stories? They should be told for a reason

Total: 467 questions -2- 6. Pausch says there is logic in dispensing others’ wisdom rather than one’s own? What is it? if you offer wisdom from a third party, it seems less arrogant 7. What word did Pausch’s mother use to describe him as a boy? Alert 8. What was the “theory qualifier?” A test 9. What did Pausch’s mother say when he complained about it? His mother reminder him his father fought Germans 10. What project did Pausch’s parents get involved in? fifty-student dormitory in rural Thailand 11. How did Pausch characterize his father? Most Christian man he met 12. According to Pausch, what was his father’s goal? Equality and the greatest ideals 13. How did Pausch’s father continue his legacy of charitable giving? He donated his body to science 14. What was the photo that Pausch flashed on the overhead screen? (Be specific). Him as a child on his bunk bed day dreaming 15. If Pausch’s dad were still living when Pausch gave his lecture, what two pieces of advice would he had given him? Put everything in order for jai and spend as much

Chapter 5 – Pages 27-30 – The Elevator in the Ranch HouseTime possible with his kids

1. What is the significance of this chapter’s title?

2. What request did Pausch make to his parents? He wanted to paint things on his walls 3. What was his dad’s response? His mom’s? He said yes immediately, his mom was skeptical but said yes 4. What additions did Pausch make to his room? A quadratic formula and and elevator painted in his room 5. How many “floors” did he have? Why weren’t there more? 3, because he said it was a balance between aspiration and pragmatism 6. What editing, if any, did his other make to Pausch’s work? When he wrote disco sucks his mother painted over the work "sucks" 7. After Pausch was grown, what was the focal point of Pausch’s childhood home? His bedroom 8. What advice did Pausch give to parents who want to “modify” their room? He says to let them do it Chapter 6 – Pages 31-34 – Getting to Zero G

1. What was a common dream of kids and Pausch’s in his elementary class? They wanted to be astronauts 2. What limitation prevented Pausch from achieving his dream? They can't have glasses and he had them

Total: 467 questions -3- 3. What was the “Weightless Wonder?” A zero gravity room 4. What sensations does one feel on it? Weightlessness 5. How did Pausch’s dream become a reality? He went a a trip with students 6. What bad news did Pausch receive when he and his class were invited to Johnson Space Center? Faculty advisors can go on with the students

7. How did he circumvent NASA’s rule? He sent an application to go as a journalist 8. Was NASA fooled when Pausch faxed them? If not, what was its response? No they were not, they said that is was a little transparent 9. What did Pausch promise to do when NASA made an exception for his class? He said he will put it on a website 10. What lesson did he learn from this? Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome 11. Four decades later, on a 25-second ride, what did Pausch learn? you can always find an opening Chapter 7 – Pages 35-39 - I Never Made It to the NFL

1. What sport did Pausch love as a 9-year child? Football 2. What was different about the first day of practice conducted by Jim Graham? There were no footballs 3. What did he learn from the experience? The fundamentals are important 4. What lesson did Pausch learn when Coach Graham kept criticizing his skills? He was riding him hard 5. What advice did the assistant offer Pausch when he felt his was a failure? When someone isn't correcting you on the thinks you did wrong, they have given up on you 6. How did Coach Graham teach kids self-esteem? give them something they can’t do, they work hard until they find they can do it 7. What did Coach Graham do on the first day of practice when they wanted water? During the game they were playing badly and only the first string defense got water 8. What did Pausch think about the coach’s actions then? How did he view is as an adult? He did not like them but now he understands

9. What saddens Pausch about today’s kids? They are coddled to much 10. Pausch says that Coach Graham was the master of the head-fake? Explain this. teaches people things they don’t realize they’re learning until well into the process Chapter 8 – Pages 40—42 – You’ll Find Me Under “V”

1. Pausch says he could picture a “paperless world,” but admits he grow up in a very different time. What book fascinated him? World book encyclopedia

Total: 467 questions -4- 2. What was one of his childhood dreams in terms of writing? Write in the encyclopedia 3. What opportunity was finally presented to Pausch? They asked him to right and entry of virtual reality 4. What is the significance of the chapter’s title? You will see what he wrote in a volume of an encyclopedia Chapter 9 – Pages 43-46 – A Skill Set Called Leadership

1. What character did Pausch aspire to be in the 1960s? Captain Kirk 2. Why does Pausch think he became a better teacher and colleague by watching this fictional character on TV? He learns leadership

3. What was so “cool” about this character? He was the leader 4. When Pausch was at Carnegie Mellon in his virtual reality lab, who wanted to visit him? He met the man who played as Kirk

5. What did Pausch say was heroic about his visitor? He did not leave until he understood 6. After Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, what did the celebrity write on his photo? "I don't believe in a no win scenario" Chapter 10 – Pages 47-50 – Winning Big

1. According to Pausch, who was the “coolest guy” at the carnival? The one walking around with the largest stuffed animal 2. How did stuffed animals play a role in Pausch’s life? It was a contest of who can get the biggest stuffed animal 3. What suspicions did many have about Pausch’s many stuffed animals? He paid for animals 4. What is the one thing he didn’t want people to know about his success? He leaned at ring tosses 5. What two secrets did Pausch say are necessary to winning giant stuffed animals? Without pressure of a family audience and discretionary income 6. What did he do to show he still had an army of stuffed animals? students walk in from the wings of the stage, each carrying a giant stuffed animal he had won over the years 7. What offer did he make to his audience members? He gave one to everyone in the audience who wanted one 8. What symbolism did Pausch see when one Carnegie Mellon student chose a particular animal? He saw the elephant in the room like he is

Total: 467 questions -5- Chapter 11 – Pages 51-51-55 – The Happiest Place on Earth

1. What adventure did Pausch’s family take when he was 8 years old? He went to Disneyland 2. When Pausch got his Ph.D., where did he send his letter of application? Walt Disney imageenering 3. What response did he get? He got no response 4. What did he learn about brick walls? They give people a chance to see how bad they want somthing 5. In 1995, when Pausch built a system called “Virtual Reality on Five Dollars a Day,” what did he learn? Disney was working on a vr project 6. Whom did he speak with? John snoddy 7. How did he prepare for his meeting? He asked all the virtual reality people he knew to share their thoughts and questions about the Disney project 8. What offer was made to Pausch when he explained that he had a sabbatical coming up? To spend time with johns team

9. From the questions that was asked, what did Pausch realize about the academic and entertainment culture?

10. What were the terms of his offer from Imagineering?

11. What advice did he get from two deans?

12. What is the difference in the two responses?

13. What proves how “geeky” Pausch really was?

Chapter 12 – Pages 56-64 – The Park is Open Until 8 p.m.

1. When did the author’s medical problem begin? Summer of 2006 2. What symptom was he having? Pain in upper abdomen 3. What did the CT reveal? How long did it take for him to see how bad his condition was? The revealed he had pancreatic cancer, 10 seconds

4. How did Pausch approach his diagnosis? He asked a lot of data seeking questions 5. Why did his doctors think Pausch was a “fun patient?” He was engaged in everything 6. What remark did Pausch make to Dr. Herb Zeh, a Pittsburgh surgeon? “Let’s be clear. My goal is to be alive and on your brochure in ten years.”

Total: 467 questions -6- 7. What was the “Whipple operation” that Pausch endured? A surgery that killed 25% of its patients 8. How did Pausch hear about his check-up results with Dr. Wolff before he spoke with him? They checked the records before the doctor came

9. What did Pausch consider a “glaring operational flaw?” There were no Kleenex in the doctors office 10. Why was he fascinated by the bad news Dr. Wolff had given him? The doctor sat next to jai to comfort her 11. Why couldn’t Pausch get a liver transplant? Metastasis 12. What kind of treatment would be used on Pausch? palliative chemo—treatment 13. What is Pausch’s wish for every medical student considering oncology? They could see what Dr. Wolff was doing 14. What question did Pausch ask after he heard about his treatment plan? How long he had to live 15. How did Pausch feel about the news? He was sad but optimistic to live Chapter 13 – Pages 64-65 - The Man in the Convertible

1. Who was the man in the convertible, and what was he doing? Randy Pausch, he was enjoying the day with his hand tapping along with the music 2. What did the image remind Robbee Kosak, Carnegie Mellon’s President for Advancement, of? How life should be lived

3. Why did Robbee’s email mean so much to Pausch? She gave him and image of himself Chapter 14 – Pages 66-68 – The Dutch Uncle

1. What was Pausch’s attitude toward his older sister when he was 7 and she was 9? It was like he was the older sibling 2. What did Tammy do that was totally unexpected? No one expected her to snap 3. How did the school handle the situation? They said to let her mother handle it 4. How did Pausch’s mother handle it? She said to let their father handle it 5. How did Pausch’s father handle it? He smiled and did not punish her 6. How did Pausch’s friend Scott Sherman perceive his behavior when he was at ? He is the quickest to offend someone they just met

7. Why didn’t Pausch notice that his behavior was offensive to others? No one told him

Total: 467 questions -7- 8. What advice did Prof. Van Dam, a computer science professor, say to Pausch about a shame that people the perceivelatter’s behavior? you as being so arrogant, because it’s going to limit what you’re going to

9. What is the meaning of “a Dutch uncle?” Do in life person who gives you honest feedback 10. What was ironic about this phrase? Andy was Dutch 11. What did some of Pausch’s friends call him? St. Randy 12. How did Pausch perceive his flaws? People told him through tough love Chapter 15 – Pages 69-72 – Pouring Soda in the Backseat

1. How was Pausch’s identify seen for a long time? Bachelor uncle 2. What advice did Pausch’s sister Laura give her kids when they took a ride in her brother’s new Volkswagen? They said to not dirty it

3. What outrageous thing did Uncle Randy do while Laura was explaining the rules about their riding in his car? He opened a can of soda and spilled it in the car on purpose 4. What did they think about their uncle then? He was crazy 5. Why was Pausch glad he had already “christened” his car? His nephew got sick and threw up in the car 6. What two rules did he have for his niece and nephew when they rode in his car? No whining, and whenever they do something don't tell their mom 7. Uncle Randy was an unconventional uncle. What did he do to show he was different from most uncles? He broke rules with them 8. What special favor did Pausch ask of his niece and nephew when they were adults? He asked them to take his kids out like he did with them 9. What did he want his niece and nephew to tell Pausch’s children about him? That they want to spent time with them like he did with the, 10. If his kids mess up their cars, what did Pausch hope would happen? They will think of him and smile Chapter 16 – Pages 73-79 - Romancing the Brick Wall

1. Why did Pausch think there are brick walls? The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough 2. How old was Pausch when he met his future wife? 37 3. What kind of home did he have? attic apartment with a fire-escape walkup 4. What was Jai’s job in the fall of 1998? UNC computer science department part time

Total: 467 questions -8- 5. How did Jai find out more information about Randy? She looked at his web site 6. Why was Pausch reluctant to settle down? Why was Jai? She was divorced before and he wasn't ready to settle down 7. After Pausch returned to Pittsburgh from speaking in Orlando, what did he offer Jai? He offered her to come visit him 8. What was her response? No because she did not want a long distance relationship 9. What did Pausch say in a note to her? I respect your decision and wish you nothing but the best. 10. When Pausch offered Jai a ring and got her to move to Pittsburgh, her attitude changed toward him. What did she say to him? How did he feel? She said she didn't love him and he was heartbroken 11. What was Pausch’s response to her words? He said he will try to find a way to be happy without her 12. What advice did Pausch’s parents offer him? Be supportive 13. After his week of teaching and being in an office from Jai, what was her response?

Chapter 17 – Pages 80-84 – Not All Fairy Tales End Smoothly

1. What was different about Pausch’s and Jai’s wedding and reception ? It was under an 100 year old oak tree and a hot air balloon 2. What happened to them that got their marriage off to a rocky start? They crashed in branches 3. What did Pausch say to the ballooner when he saw a train track at the edge of the field? He asked what would happen if a train hits them

4. What advice did the ballooner give the couple if the balloon hit the ground? Run fast 5. What did the couple learn from their experience? Should have used a car 6. What was the final touch to the wedding package? Cheap wine Chapter 18 – Pages 85-87 – Lucy, I’m Home

1. What was the I-Love-Lucy episode that Pausch recalls early in his marriage? Jai was trying really hard how toes plain somthing 2. What was Pausch’s reaction when Jai mentioned the disaster that had occurred? He was not angry an not really concerned 3. After the damage was assessed, what was Pausch’s surprising response? He would live with the dents in the car 4. What did this disaster symbolize to Pausch? A statement in their marriage that nothing needed to be fixed

Total: 467 questions -9- Chapter 19 – Pages 88-96 – A New Year’s Story

1. What situation occurred on New Year’s Eve? Jai's placenta torn away 2. What was Pausch told about his wife’s condition? She was about to go into clinical shock 3. What assumption did Pausch make about the B team? He was worried if they would be enough to help his wife 4. What job was Pausch given at the hospital? To keep his wife calm 5. Why did Pausch’s father think it was humorous? Because he was cheeseburgers when his first child was being born 6. What did Pausch do alleviate his wife’s fears? He told her the baby was moving 7. What two things did the doctor tell Pausch and Jai about the birth of their first child? Don’t worry, we’ve had a million babies like yours come through here, and the baby is special 8. How did Dylan look after his birth? Two pounds fifteen ounces and his head was the size of a baseball 9. What did Pausch and Jai think when they went to the hospital and saw Dylan’s bassinette gone? They thought he died

10. What was the nurse’s response? He was moved to the upstairs to an open-air bassinette 11. What would have been the worst case scenario? Dylan died 12. What did the new parents learn from this experience? reminder that the roles they get to play in their destinies Chapter 20 – Pages 94-96 – In Fifty Years, It Never Came Up

1. What did Pausch find in his father’s belongings after his death? Photos 2. What kind of mystery did Pausch’s dad give to his children? A small toy or candy with a flourish 3. What surprising thing did Pausch discover about his father while he was in the army in 1945? He got a heroic achievement award from the 75th infantry division

4. What lesson did Pausch learn from this experience? The meaning of sacrifice Chapter 21 – Pages 97-102 – Jai

1. What is one thing that Jai learned from Randy? How to get data 2. What happened when Pausch wanted to take his family to visit his relatives during Christmas? He went instead and his family stayed 3. How did Jai handle Pausch’s spreading his clean and dirty clothes around the room? She lets is slide even though it annoys her

Total: 467 questions -10- 4. What is one way that Jai handled negative tings that her husband did? She kept a journal 5. Why was the last New Year’s Eve so emotional for Pausch? It was most likely that last New Year's Eve without him 6. What did Jai do later on that same evening to cheer Pausch up? She pointed out wonderful things that happened the past year 7. What did Jai say was one of the best parts of her day? Watching him interact with the kids 8. What was the “magical moment” of the Christmas Eve with Pausch’s wife and children? A video of them just throwing lights on the tree

9. What is one piece of useful information that Jai read from a website from a wife whose husband was dying with pancreatic cancer? Live in the moment 10. What has been a good outlet for Jai when she needs to vent about her husband’s situation or to complain about him? She talks to local caregivers to vent to them 11. What are some lessons that she has learned from Pausch? How to live her dreams 12. What was one of his New Year’s resolutions? Straighten up her mess Chapter 22 – Pages 103-105 – The Truth Can Set You Free

1. What happened when Pausch was approached by a police officer for speeding? He was asked why he was doing there and he said he had cancer 2. How did the cop respond? The thought he was lying 3. What was the cop’s dilemma when it came to Pausch? He had trouble believing him 4. What did Pausch do to convince the officer not to give him a ticket? He pulled up his shirt to show him the scars 5. What was Pausch’s reaction? He was happy he got out of a ticket Chapter 23 – Pages 106-111 – I’m On My Honeymoon, If You Need Me …

1. Explain why Pausch left the grocery store happier to have an extra fifteen minutes than 16 dollars. He knows time is precious so he would rather have fifteen minutes 2. What truth did Pausch realize about time? Time is infinite 3. What was the first truth Pausch learned about time? It should be treated like money 4. What was the second truth Pausch discovered about time? You can always change your plan, but only if you have on 5. What question should we be asking ourselves in regard to time? What example did he cite to prove his point? Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things?

Total: 467 questions -11- 6. On what matter did Jai consider Pausch to be “compulsive?” What response did he give to Jai? Devoting a good filing system 7. What one trick kept Pausch from having to hang on the phone for long periods of time? Put it on speaker phone

8. What two techniques did Pausch have for keeping unnecessary calls shorter? Standing up instead of kicking his feet up 9. What technique did Pausch use for annoying telemarketers? Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things? 10. What technique did he use to have a short conversation with someone at work? Call right before lunch 11. What did Pausch say is an important skill as a professor and as a father? Learn to delegate 12. How did Pausch handle callers who wanted to contact him on his honeymoon? He made a special message for them 13. What did Pausch say is the one thing we all have but lessens as we age? Time Chapter 24 – Pages 112-120 – A Recovering Jerk

1. What is one goal Pausch wanted to achieve in terms of his students? Help students learn to judge themselves 2. How can educators best serve students? helping them be more self-reflective. 3. What do many people compare college tuition to?

4. What does Pausch compare it to? Paying for a personal trainer 5. What was the hardest thing that Pausch had to do as an educator? helping my students develop their own feedback loops 6. What does Pausch think is one cause of the downward spiral in education? too much stroking and too little real feedback. 7. What delivery system was used in Pausch’s classroom when he taught “Building Virtual Worlds?” Peer feedback 8. What was Pausch’s experience with one student whom others found particularly obnoxious? He was ranked last but didn't think of it as a bad way

9. What did Pausch say gave him the moral authority to be forthright with this particular student? That he had a serious issue

10. What did Pausch do for this particular student that helped him improve? He gave him real feedback

Total: 467 questions -12- Chapter 25 – Pages 117-120 - Training a Jedi

1. What childhood dream did Tommy Burnett, an artist and computer wiz, who wanted a job on Pausch’s research team, have? Work on the next Star Wars movie 2. What response did Pausch have for him? That’s a tough dream to have because it’ll be hard to see it through 3. What job did Tommy want as a kid after he saw Star Wars? Make the special effects 4. What made Pausch hire a dreamer like Tommy on his team? He reminded himself of himself 5. What did he learn from Pausch while working on his team? how work colleagues need to be like a family 6. What was the most important piece of advice that Pausch gave Tommy in terms of what he expected of those working on his team? help everyone else feel happy to be here 7. What was remarkable about Pausch’s move from the to Carnegie Mellon in terms of his employees? Everyone came with him 8. What happened to Tommy? He was hired to help make start wars movies 9. What is luck, according to Pausch? where preparation meets opportunity. 10. What job did Tommy have on the three Star Wars films? programmer in the Python language 11. On Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, what was so cool about Tommy’s job? He was the lead technical director

12. What field trip did Pausch take his students on a few years later? Industrial Light & Magic where tommy worked 13. What reputation did Pausch have as a teacher? Tough teacher with high expectation 14. What did Tommy say when a students wanted to know how luck would help them in the movie industry in their field of computer graphics? They are lucky to work with randy 15. What did Pausch say was so special about that moment? He loved that he could help tommy live his dream Chapter 26 – Pages 121-125 – They Just Blew Me Away

1. What questions did Pausch ponder, given the fact that he was a self-described “efficiency freak?” If He could help individual students, one on one, as they worked toward achieving their childhood dreams, was there was a way to do it on a larger scale? 2. How did he apply the answer to his question? Virtual reality 3. What was its premise? immersive (helmet-based) interactive virtual reality worlds.

Total: 467 questions -13- 4. How many students and from what disciplines were the students? fifty undergraduates 5. How was the course structured? made the kids unlikely partners with each other, forcing them to do together what they couldn’t do alone. 6. What were the two rules Pausch established for students’ virtual reality worlds? No shooting violence and no pornography. 7. How did the students perform in the course? Their work was beyond imagination 8. What was Pausch’s dilemma? He didn't know what to do next because they were so good 9. Whom did he seek advice from, and what was the advice he was offered? His mentor Andy van Dam. He so say that they can do better 10. Was the advice taken? Why was Pausch given this advice? Yes because he did not know where to set the bar 11. What kinds of projects did Pausch’s students create? Gondola trips and roller skating ninjas and 3-D characters 12. What happened on show-and-tell days? More and more people came to see what they made 13. What comment did Carnegie Mellon’s president, , make to Pausch? felt like an Ohio State pep rally, except it was about academics. 14. What did Pausch love most about his course? All of the teamwork 15. What way did Pausch find to crank his work up a notch? He worked with Drama professor Don Marinelli 16. What was established with the help of drama professor Don Marinelli and Pausch? The Entertainment Technology Center 17. Why was the program so successful? artists and technologists came together to work 18. What happened when others found out about the program? Universities offered it 19. What other plans were in the works? amusement rides, computer games, animatronics, and anything else they could dream up. 20. What was the greatest thing that Pausch said evolved from this endeavor? People could fulfill their dreams Chapter 27 – Pages 126-129 – The Promised Land

1. What is Alice and who developed her? software teaching tool, Carnegie Mellon 2. How does Alice work? Let's anyone create animations easily 3. How much does Alice cost? How many times had she been downloaded at the time this book was written? 3-D graphics and drag-and-drop techniques to give users a more engaging, 4. How does Alice teach student the “fake head” premise? they’re actually learning how to become computer programmers. 5. What was Walt Disney’s dream for Disney World? would never be finished.

Total: 467 questions -14- 6. How does Disney’s dream apply to Alice? It keeps getting updated 7. Who is in charge of Alice? Dennis Cosgrove 8. What was Pausch’s response when asked by a colleague, “Why is it [Alice] so much fun? “Well, I’m a compulsive male and I like to make little toy soldiers move around on my command, and that’s fun.” 9. How did Caitlin Kelleher expand Alice for her doctoral dissertation? She made Alice a storyteller 10. What is Dr. Kelleher doing now at Washington University in St. Louis? computer science professor at Washington University in St. Louis 11. How did Pausch have a better understanding of Moses and how he got to the promised land even though he wasn’t there? He feels the same way about the success in stored for Alice 12. What will millions of students learn though Alice? have incredible fun while learning something hard. Chapter 28 – Pages 131-133 – Dream Big

1. What dumb decision was made by the camp directors when man first walked on the moon? All the kids where sent to sleep 2. What response did Pausch have? “My species has gotten off of our planet and landed in a new world for the first time, and you people think bedtime matters?” 3. Who saved the day for Pausch and how? His dad took pictures and showed him 4. What did Pausch think was wrong with using money to fight poverty? you’re working at the margin 5. What does putting men on the moon show to humankind? Anything is possible Chapter 29 – Pages 133-134 – Earnest is Better Than Hip

1. Why is being earnest better than being hip? hip is short-term. Earnest is long-term. 2. Why is it underestimated? It comes from the core, while hip is trying to impress you with the surface. 3. When Pausch thought of being earnest, what came to his mind? a Boy Scout who works hard and becomes an Eagle Scout 4. What is the only thing a 50-year old man can put on his resume that he did as a teenager that is so impressive? Becoming an Eagle Scout 5. What did Pausch’s parents say about buying new clothes? You buy new clothes when your old clothes wear out. 6. Did Pausch say he is hip or earnest? Earnest

Total: 467 questions -15- Chapter 30 – Pages 135-136 – Raising the White Flag

1. What name does Pausch’s mother call him? Randolph 2. Why did she pick this name? it felt like the name some classy Virginian might have chosen it 3. What was his response? He did not like it 4. What happened when Pausch’s mother sent letters to him? She sent it to Randolph Pausch 5. Why didn’t he argue with her about his name? Life is too short Chapter 31 – Pages 136-137 – Let’s Make a Deal

1. What habit did Pausch develop when he was in grad school at the dining room table? tipping back in his chair. 2. What was his mother’s response? She would say he is gonna break the chair. 3. What contract did he make with her? If he broke the chair he would have to pay for the whole dining rom set 4. What, if any, repercussions, arose as a result of his habit? He never broke the chair 5. What did Pausch think was his mother’s hope? She has her eyes on a new dining room set Chapter 32 – Pages 138-139 – Don’t Complain, Just Work Harder

1. What was Pausch’s opinion about complaining? if you took one-tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you’d be surprised by how well things can work out. 2. Who was one non complainer, and what was his story? Sandy Blatt, his landlord during graduate school 3. Who was his favorite non complainer of all time? Why? Jackie Robinson 4. What message did Pausch get from these two non complainers? Complaining does not work as a strategy. Chapter 33 – Pages 139-140 – Treat the Disease, Not the Symptom

1. What example did Pausch use to illustrate the title of this chapter? A girl he dated 2. What was her problem? She was a couple thousand dollars in debt 3. What remedy did she use? Yoga 4. What suggestion did Pausch make to her? if she spent four or five months working a part- time job on Tuesday nights, she could actually pay off all the money she owed. 5. Did it help or hurt her? Explain. It helped she got a job and paid off the debt

Total: 467 questions -16- Chapter 34 – Page 141 – Don’t Obsess Over What People Think

1. What was Pausch’s idea about people who worry too much about what others think? we’d all be 33 percent more effective in our lives and on our jobs if we didn't worry about what people think of us 2. What did he tell those who worked on his research work? “You don’t ever have to worry about what I’m thinking. Good or bad, I’ll let you know what’s in my head.” 3. How much more effective was Pausch’s team than others? 33% Chapter 35 – Page 142 -144 – Start By Sitting Together

1. What did Pausch think of when he had to work with others? imagine sitting together with a deck of cards 2. What became a bit of an obsession with Pausch each semester? Improving group dynamics 3. How did he structure his classes? A dozen four person groups 4. List and explain the seven tips Pausch suggested when working in groups. Meet people properly, Find things you have in common, Try for optimal meeting conditions,Try for optimal meeting conditions 5. How did he call the roll? By group numbers 6. What “cheesy tactic” did Pausch resort to when his class member chose to sit with their friends rather than their groups? He would walk out the room and say when he comes back everyone should be in their seats correctly Chapter 36 – Page 145 – Look for the Best in Everybody

1. What did Pausch’s friend Jon Snoddy at Disney Imagineering say about people? people will surprise and impress you 2. What was Snoddy’s opinion on being frustrated and angry with people? it just may be because you haven’t given them enough time. Chapter 37 – Page 145-146 – Watch What They Do, Not What They Say

1. What piece of advice did Pausch’s colleague give him about men who are romantically interested in a woman? Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do. 2. How does it apply to his children? In the future his kids can know it Chapter 38 – Pages 146-148 – If at First You Don’t Succeed …

1. How did Pausch feel about clichés and why? He likes them because they used so much because they work 2. Why didn’t he think more educators would use them? Because kids don’t know most of them 3. List and explain the four clichés that Pausch mentions. Dance with the one who brung you, Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right, Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play

Total: 467 questions -17- 4. What kinds of other clichés did Pausch love? Why? Pop culture because most are motivational 5. What did Pausch’s students learn from him about clichés? It’s not just whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the cliché. Chapter 39 – Pages 148-149 – Be the First Penguin

1. What did Pausch learn about experience when he took a sabbatical at ? It's what you get when you didn't get what you wanted 2. What did he learn about failure? failure is not just acceptable, it’s often essential. 3. What was The First Penguin Award? went to the team that took the biggest gamble in trying new ideas or new technology 4. What is the basis for the title? It refers the the penguin award 5. How prevalent is failure in the entertainment industry? Who do start-up companies want to hire? there are countless failed products, the sometimes like to hire a chief executive with a failed start-up in his or her background. Chapter 40 – Pages 150-151 – Get People’s Attention

1. What was an important lesson that Pausch wanted to teach his student who had built something for others to use? 2. What did Pausch do on the first day of school in the user interface class? Smash a vcr with a sledgehammer 3. The students had at least three different reactions. What were they? Surprised, angry, upset 4. What present did Pausch receive when he left the University of Virginia for Carnegie Mellon, and what did it say? a sledgehammer saying so many vcr's so little time 5. What did Pausch want his students to remember as they were creating their new technologies? Him swinging the hammer

Chapter 41 – Pages 151-153 – The Lost Art of Thank-You Notes

1. What is the best way that Pausch believed one could show gratitude? Thank you notes 2. How will this help a student in the eyes of a future boss? they will remember you because no one uses them 3. What story did he relate about a prospective applicant who was trying to be a Disney Imaginer? He accepted a girl because of a thank you note.

Chapter 42 – Pages 153-156 – Loyalty Is a Two-Way Street

1. What is the significance of the title of this chapter? It says everyone involved must show loyalty 2. Who was Dennis Cosgrove? undergraduate student he had

Total: 467 questions -18- 3. What was his academic record? Most classes he had a's and in calculus he had an f 4. Why did Pausch go to bat for him? He had hope in him 5. What reasoning did Pausch use to keep Dennis in school? He never got a warning 6. What was the dean’s response? He agreed later 7. What did Cosgrove eventually become? become an award-winning star in computer science. 8. How are the two men connected professionally? one of the early fathers of the Alice project. Chapter 43 – Page 116 – The Friday Night Solution

1. How did Pausch get tenure earlier than other junior faculty members? best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard. 2. What do most people want in terms of work? Shortcuts 3. What did Pausch compare hard work to? You learn more about your craft 4. How does hard work apply to a marriage? Work hard at relationships Chapter 44 – Pages 157-158 – Show Gratitude

1. What was the gift that Pausch gave to his fifteen-person research team? A Disney trip 2. What criticism did he receive from a fellow professor? setting a precedent that other soon-to-be-tenured professors would be unwilling to equal. 3. What was Pausch’s response? He said how couldn't he do it, they gave him the best job ever 4. What, if anything, was educational about the trip? They stopped at universities 5. How did Pausch pay back Andy Van Dam, one of his greatest mentors? He said he could never pay him back Chapter 45 – Page 158 – Send Out Thin Mints

1. What did Pausch do as an academic reviewer to solicit other professors’ help in reading and reviewing numerous research proposals? sent a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints with every paper that needed to be reviewed 2. What did his note say to them? “The enclosed Thin Mints are your reward. But no fair eating them until you review the paper.” 3. How effective was his incentive? People smiled and he never had to remind people to do them

Total: 467 questions -19- Chapter 46 – Pages 159-161 – All You Have Is What You Bring With You

1. What story did Pausch relate about being prepared? When his mother took him grocery shopping 2. How much money did Pausch believe was enough to have in one’s wallet to be prepared? $200

3. What story did Pausch tell about Norman Meyrowitz, a man who was overprepared? He had a spare bulb when the projector light blew 4. What was Professor’s Van Dam’s response? This guy is going places 5. What is another way to be overprepared? Think negatively 6. What did Pausch say his students need to take with them in the woods? So take money. Bring your repair kit. Imagine the wolves. Pack a lightbulb. Be prepared. Chapter 47 – Pages 161-163 – A Bad Apology Is Worse Than No Apology

1. What did Pausch think an apology is like? A bad apology? It should be a good one Halfhearted or insincere apologies are often worse than not apologizing 2. What were the two descriptions he gave of a bad apology? I’m sorry you feel hurt by what I’ve done, I apologize for what I did, but you also need to apologize to me for what you’ve done 3. What are the three parts to a good apology? 1) What I did was wrong. 2) I feel badly that I hurt you. 3) How do I make this better? 4. What was his response to those who asked him what should they do if the other person wouldn’t apologize? That’s not something you can control, so don’t let it eat at you 5. What is the key to waiting for an apology? Your patience will be both appreciated and rewarded. Chapter 48 – Pages 163-164 – Tell the Truth

1. What did Pausch say about honesty? you’re only as good as your word 2. What is one reason people lie? seems like a way to get what they want with less effort 3. What is wrong with lying? they remember you lied to them 4. What did Pausch think is so amazing about lying? Most people who have told a lie think they got away with it...when in fact, they didn’t.

Total: 467 questions -20-

Chapter 49 – Pages 164-165 – Get in Touch With Your Crayon Box

1. What did Pausch love about computer science? because most everything is true or false. 2. As he aged, what did he come to realize? learned to appreciate that a good crayon box might have more than two colors 3. What did Pausch carry in his shirt pocket? A crayon 4. What colors were his favorite ones? Black and white 5. What was so special about this practice? Any color has the same potency Chapter 50 – Pages 165-168 – The $100,000 Salt and Pepper Shaker

1. Where did Pausch and his sister go when he was 12 years old and his sister was 14? Disney World in Orlando 2. What were the two allowed to do? roam a bit around the park without being monitored. 3. What happened to spoil their surprise for their parents? The present they got broke 4. What advice were they given by a Disney visitor? Take it back and get a new one 5. How did they explain their situation, and what happened afterwards? They got a new one 6. How did the expert customer service in the gift shop lead to more money for the company? He gave money to Disney in the future

7. What question did Pausch ask Disney executives after his experience? If I sent a child into one of your stores with a broken salt and pepper shaker today, would your policies allow your workers to be kind enough to replace it? 8. What body language did they exhibit when they were asked the question? It said probably not 9. What message was Pausch trying to send to the executives? There is more than one way to measure profits and losses 10. How did the gift yield more profits for Disney?

Total: 467 questions -21- Chapter 51 – Pages 168-171 – No Job Is Beneath You

1. What was one problem that Pausch saw among today’s youth when job junting? growing sense of entitlement 2. What was his advice to them? You ought to be thrilled you got a job in the mailroom, and be good at it 3. What negative comment did Pausch hear from companies about the ETC interns that were working in their first job? about how the new employees were too big for their britches. 4. What comment did Pausch make to his father when he was 15 and worked in an orchard hoeing strawberries with day laborers and some teachers? about the job being beneath those teachers 5. What was his dad’s response? Manual labor is beneath no one 6. What did Pausch do as a result of his father’s comments? He worked harder Chapter 52 – Pages 170-171 – Know Where You Are

1. What kind of attitude did a 27-year Imagineer have about Pausch when he was serving his sabbatical at Disney? A rude one 2. How did Pausch feel about Haley’s attitude? He didn't like it 3. What had Pausch failed to consider when he left academia for the entertainment? industry? figured out how to navigate in both academia and the entertainment industry 4. What project was he working on at Disney World? Imagineering 5. What kinds of questions did he ask guests in his interviews with them?

6. What complaints did Pausch’s colleagues have against him? applying academic values that wouldn’t work in the real world 7. How did he gain their respect? figured out a way to save twenty seconds per guest by loading the ride differently 8. What point was Pausch trying to make about this experience? emphasize how sensitive you need to be when crossing from one culture to another 9. At the end of Pausch’s sabbatical, what happened? Imagineering offered hi, a full-time job. 10. How did Pausch keep his connection between the two worlds of academia and entertainment?

became a once-a-week consultant to Imagineering

Total: 467 questions -22- Chapter 53 – Pages 171-174 – Never Give Up

1. What did Pausch plan to do after he graduated from Brown University? Get a job 2. What advice did his “Dutch uncle” give him? “Get yourself a PhD. Be a professor.” 3. When Pausch questioned his words, what response did Andy Van Dam give him? Because you’re such a good salesman, and if you go work for a company, they’re going to use you as a salesman. 4. What happened when Pausch applied at Carnegie Mellon as a graduate student in spite of a recommendation letter from his “Dutch uncle?” The rejected him 5. When he approached Van Dam about it, what did his “Dutch uncle” offer to do for him? He said he will fix it 6. What deal did he make with Van Dam? check out the schools that accepted him. If He didn’t feel comfortable at any of them, He came back to him and they'd talk. 7. What happened after his search to get in other schools? He said to skip graduate and get a job 8. What did Van Dam do for Pausch? Insisted he get his Ph.D. 9. What was Nico Habermann's attitude toward Pausch? Wasn't sure of him 10. How did Pausch redeem himself? Talked to him 11. What did Pausch reveal about that particular incident?

12. What was the moral of his story? Don't give up Chapter 54 – 175-176 – Be a Communitarian

1. What did Pausch find has been lost on today’s students in his 20 years as a professor? common sense 2. What lesson did Pausch want to teach his students when he asked them to sign an agreement to do certain things in his class? The notion that rights come with responsibilities is, literally, a strange concept to them. 3. What story did Pausch relate when his dad was a Little League Commissioner trying to get volunteer umpires? How people are selfish 4. What was the overall lesson Pausch learned from this? When we’re connected to others, we become better people.

Total: 467 questions -23- Chapter 55 – Pages 177-178 – All You Have To Do Is Ask

1. What did Pausch’s dad want to do at Disney World with Pausch and his son Dylan? sit in the vehicle’s cool-looking nose-cone, with the driver 2. What did Fred Brooks, Jr. say to Pausch when he wanted 30 minutes of Brooks’ time? He will give him more than thirty 3. What was Brooks’ great achievement? Lecture at university 4. What is Brooks’ Law? Ask those questions. Just ask them. More often than you’d suspect, the answer you’ll get is, “Sure.” 5. Since Pausch’s illness, in what did he improved? Getting results Chapter 56 – Pages 179-182 – Make a Decision: Tigger or Eeyore

1. What did Jared Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University, tell Pausch when he informed Pausch of his last lecture? tell them about having fun, because that’s what I will remember you for.” 2. On his last Halloween on earth, how did Pausch spend the evening? The incredible a 3. What happened on his last scuba diving trip with three of his best friends? They had fun 4. What did Pausch say he wanted on his tombstone? Randy Pausch: He Lived Thirty Years After a Terminal Diagnosis.” Chapter 57 – Pages 182-183 – A Way to Understand Optimism

1. What advice did Pausch’s doctor give him after learning about his cancer? to behave as if you’re going to be around awhile.” 2. What was Pausch’s humorous response? “Doc, I just bought a new convertible and got a vasectomy. What more do you want from me?” 3. What did Dr. Zeh call Pausch? poster boy for “the healthy balance between optimism and realism.” 4. What did Pausch love about being optimistic, even with incurable pancreatic cancer? Because even if I don’t, it’s a better mindset to help me get through each day. Chapter 58 – Pages 183-188 – The Input of Others

1. What happened as a result of Pausch’s lecture on the Internet? hearing from so many people 2. What did Pausch say to show that some things never change? When the chair casually suggests that perhaps you might consider doing something, you should visualize a cattle prod. 3. What advice did a stranger give to Jai, Pausch’s wife? You can survive the unimaginable 4. What was Krishnamurti’s (a spiritual leader in India who died in 1986) advice to a friend who was dying? Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone. 5. What advice did give Pausch after the cameras were turned off after she interviewed him? Give them specific stuff to grasp

Total: 467 questions -24- 6. What did Pausch doubt most in his life? effectiveness of counseling. 7. What advice did Pausch’s minister give him? you also need emotional insurance 8. What questions did his minister ask about Pausch’s preparation for death? If he has insurance 9. How did Pausch’s minister say he [Pausch] could cover the premiums on his emotional insurance? Paid with time not money 10. How was Pausch’s overall feeling about his ride toward death? never felt alone on this ride Chapter 59 – Pages 191-198 – Dreams For My Children

1. What did Pausch grieve for more than his death? Things he wanted to tell his children 2. What did Pausch and Dylan do on their mini vacation? Swim with dolphins 3. What did he, Jai, and Logan do for their adventure? Disney world 4. What did Pausch want Chloe to know about him? He was the first man to fall in love with her 5. Pausch said that Jai was modest. What wouldn’t she tell their children about him? that in our marriage, she had a guy who really deeply truly loved her. 6. What memories filled Pausch’s head about Dylan? admire how loving and empathetic he is. 7. What will Pausch remember about Logan? Logan makes everything an adventure. 8. What will Pausch remember about Chloe? Chloe is careful, maybe even dainty. 9. How was Pausch reinforcing the bonds he had with his children? (three ways)

10. What dreams did he have for his children? want them to feel as if He is there with them, whatever path they choose. Chapter 60 – Pages 199-203 -- Jai and Me

1. What surprising thing did Pausch do during his lecture? He had a large birthday cake set for her 2. What five things did he and Jai discuss as they focused on what life would be like for her after his death?

3. What did Pausch and Jai discuss about her remarrying?

4. What did Jai give Pausch for his 47th birthday? A tv 5. After Jai approached the stage, what did she whisper to him? Please don't die

Total: 467 questions -25- Chapter 61 – Pages 204-206 – The Dream Will Come to You

1. What did Pausch worry about when he got to the final lines of his speech? Choking up 2. What was his contingency plan? placed the last few sentences of the talk on four slides 3. How did he feel physically about being on the stage for so long in front of 400 people? Weak 4. What did Pausch gain by having advance notice of his death? Appreciation of life 5. What was the real reason Pausch gave his last lecture? Give them ahead fake 6. What did Pausch say his final speech was about? It was for his kids 7. Why was the audience surprised? They didn't expect to get head faked 8. What did the last slide contain? Family picture with his kids

Total: 467 questions -26-