Comments on: The Last Lecture [And On Being The Sum Of Our Experiences] http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/ A Jordanian Blog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:56:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ArabianMonkey http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-122530 ArabianMonkey Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:56:30 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-122530 Sadly, Randy Pausch passed away yesterday. Sadly, Randy Pausch passed away yesterday.

]]> By: Marwan http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121984 Marwan Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:13:47 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121984 Dude, I know this might be the last thing you want to hear, but here is an advice, “do not underestimate a cliché advice until you live the experience behind it”. Understanding words is completely different than living them! So at least, and for now, try to practically stimulate the experience in your mind, then after that criticize it! I can give you endless examples of situations where I utterly have declined to take an advice or even a saying/ proverb, simply because a lot of people repeat it, just to find myself at the end an idiot who was trying to explain to himself nothing but common sense! What a waste of time and effort it is to attempt to prove how right/ wrong a simple fact as 1+1=2!! Dude, I know this might be the last thing you want to hear, but here is an advice, “do not underestimate a cliché advice until you live the experience behind it”. Understanding words is completely different than living them! So at least, and for now, try to practically stimulate the experience in your mind, then after that criticize it! I can give you endless examples of situations where I utterly have declined to take an advice or even a saying/ proverb, simply because a lot of people repeat it, just to find myself at the end an idiot who was trying to explain to himself nothing but common sense! What a waste of time and effort it is to attempt to prove how right/ wrong a simple fact as 1+1=2!!

]]> By: Ola http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121982 Ola Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:30:33 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121982 I saw a show on Rnady Pausch and his family, it was so impressive which made me think of reading the book but I'm not sure yet I don't think I will. The most touching part was the very last line in his lecture, when he says that the whole lecture was really for his kids... gash3ar badany I saw a show on Rnady Pausch and his family, it was so impressive which made me think of reading the book but I’m not sure yet I don’t think I will.

The most touching part was the very last line in his lecture, when he says that the whole lecture was really for his kids… gash3ar badany

]]> By: fad http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121981 fad Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:57:31 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121981 Nas, The book and posters were actually given in tandem. The book was not to give you advice on your birthday, but rather to remind you of your mortality. It has been a grueling year for you and the family and I have seen you struggle against the wind that drives you and break barriers erected to keep you back in this one year. The book was to remind you that you are mortal. That all mortals have dreams. That all dreams are fleeting unless you hold on for dear life and resist the urge to just let go of the kite tail and crash to the ground. You above all people know that the life you lead now is not what you dreamt of. (Dare I remind you of the back packing through Europe, the Orient Express in the spring, the climb up Kilimanjaro, the creation of a comic book the likes of which would be the envy of MARVEL?) I am in no way saying that you have not set other dreams and cast off those dreamt as a child, but some of them are too good to throw to the waste side. Some of them need to be taken out of your memory, dusted off and held up for further scrutiny. Some of them ARE possible. The Toulouse-Lautrec posters are a reminder of what can be achieved when the human spirit moves us out of the corporeal bodies God gave us and we are allowed to create. Toulouse, may have come from an aristocratic family, but he grew up poor, his legs stopped growing when he was 14 because he bad broken both and they never healed, he lived with adversity and struggle all of his 37 years on this earth and yet he created 737 canvases, 275 watercolors, 363 prints and posters, and 5,084 drawings. He died dirt poor, but he died doing what he loved. We are blessed if we can say the same. Nas,
The book and posters were actually given in tandem. The book was not to give you advice on your birthday, but rather to remind you of your mortality. It has been a grueling year for you and the family and I have seen you struggle against the wind that drives you and break barriers erected to keep you back in this one year. The book was to remind you that you are mortal. That all mortals have dreams. That all dreams are fleeting unless you hold on for dear life and resist the urge to just let go of the kite tail and crash to the ground. You above all people know that the life you lead now is not what you dreamt of. (Dare I remind you of the back packing through Europe, the Orient Express in the spring, the climb up Kilimanjaro, the creation of a comic book the likes of which would be the envy of MARVEL?) I am in no way saying that you have not set other dreams and cast off those dreamt as a child, but some of them are too good to throw to the waste side. Some of them need to be taken out of your memory, dusted off and held up for further scrutiny. Some of them ARE possible.

The Toulouse-Lautrec posters are a reminder of what can be achieved when the human spirit moves us out of the corporeal bodies God gave us and we are allowed to create. Toulouse, may have come from an aristocratic family, but he grew up poor, his legs stopped growing when he was 14 because he bad broken both and they never healed, he lived with adversity and struggle all of his 37 years on this earth and yet he created 737 canvases, 275 watercolors, 363 prints and posters, and 5,084 drawings. He died dirt poor, but he died doing what he loved. We are blessed if we can say the same.

]]> By: Sam http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121978 Sam Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:08:37 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121978 Remember that such books are best sellers in the USA where many people seriously need such advise. You have a support system that comes from parents and close family as well as genuine friends. Most Americans hardly have such a system and thus in need of such books. As for learning how to lead your life etc., I have learnt amazing things from Americans. It did not happen from books! It was simply from living among them! Remember that such books are best sellers in the USA where many people seriously need such advise. You have a support system that comes from parents and close family as well as genuine friends. Most Americans hardly have such a system and thus in need of such books. As for learning how to lead your life etc., I have learnt amazing things from Americans. It did not happen from books! It was simply from living among them!

]]> By: Deena http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121974 Deena Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:25:30 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121974 Interesting post …. Hope this is not too irrelevant, but I was attending a conference last week on art, therapy and migration in the UK and in one of the talks, the professor started talking about the therapeutic capacity of ‘telling our story’. She said that we never tell our story, whether our entire life story or bits and episodes of it, until we have managed to grasp it, learn from it, and be prepared to acknowledge it. In that sense, telling our story is a way of “reclaiming our past”; it is no longer something that happened to us, it becomes our destiny, our fate reclaimed. Then she went on to say that if asked to tell our story at different stages in our lives, then we would tell it differently each time. We would leave different episodes out and focus on others more, as we learn who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be. In that sense, telling our stories is also a way of “claiming our future”. What I am trying to say is, maybe what Pausch is doing is trying to is claim his future, and define his legacy. The book isn’t primarily meant for us, even if it is published to be bought. It really is for him, for him claiming a future where he will not be present, but which the readers can define. I would say the same of people our age who discuss ‘Dr. Phil’ topics you so clearly find detestable; in telling their stories they are reclaiming their past experiences, their understandings of themselves and their societies, and also laying claim to their future and what they want it to be. You may be invited to read, listen and comment on their stories, but the purpose primarily is not to influence the reader, or answer the readers questions, but rather, to ascertain a life narrative thus far, and claim a future still untold. Interesting post …. Hope this is not too irrelevant, but I was attending a conference last week on art, therapy and migration in the UK and in one of the talks, the professor started talking about the therapeutic capacity of ‘telling our story’. She said that we never tell our story, whether our entire life story or bits and episodes of it, until we have managed to grasp it, learn from it, and be prepared to acknowledge it. In that sense, telling our story is a way of “reclaiming our past”; it is no longer something that happened to us, it becomes our destiny, our fate reclaimed. Then she went on to say that if asked to tell our story at different stages in our lives, then we would tell it differently each time. We would leave different episodes out and focus on others more, as we learn who we are, and more importantly, who we want to be. In that sense, telling our stories is also a way of “claiming our future”.

What I am trying to say is, maybe what Pausch is doing is trying to is claim his future, and define his legacy. The book isn’t primarily meant for us, even if it is published to be bought. It really is for him, for him claiming a future where he will not be present, but which the readers can define.

I would say the same of people our age who discuss ‘Dr. Phil’ topics you so clearly find detestable; in telling their stories they are reclaiming their past experiences, their understandings of themselves and their societies, and also laying claim to their future and what they want it to be. You may be invited to read, listen and comment on their stories, but the purpose primarily is not to influence the reader, or answer the readers questions, but rather, to ascertain a life narrative thus far, and claim a future still untold.

]]> By: asoom http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121973 asoom Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:22:35 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121973 I remember the Randy dude from Oprah. Your personal analysis on the desire/need to read about other’s experiences is interesting. In addition to things you stated, for me personally I know that I get comfort out of it-out of knowing that other people have to go through essentially the same things. I get satisfaction, contentment, reassurance….whatever… from knowing people have to make the same decisions and go through the same life defining moments. Consciously it’s not really about getting advice. For me that comfort serves as inspiration for me to rise up and take control and make my own decisions. First I just need the reassurance of knowing what’s happening to me is normal. Make sense? “Are we searching for shared experiences that make us feel not-so-alone?” My answer is Yes. Ok I won’t lie! I have read self help/relationship books for the purpose of guidance but I usually find myself internally arguing with what the author is saying or just not believing it. I like reading the scenarios more than the actual advice part; however I am now reading “don’t sweat the small stuff” and I find myself more open to the author’s thoughts, maybe it’s because it’s simplified. I’m trying to accept living life without understanding it, it just takes way too much energy to try to make sense of everything-and life’s complicated as it is. I know that God created me, I know why (or I think I do), oo khalas! However I still find myself compulsively trying to figure things out ( math was always my strongest subject)..but I wouldn’t say it’s so much out of adventure and excitement as much as it is out of being jaded and not trusting of what’s presented before me. I remember the Randy dude from Oprah.

Your personal analysis on the desire/need to read about other’s experiences is interesting. In addition to things you stated, for me personally I know that I get comfort out of it-out of knowing that other people have to go through essentially the same things. I get satisfaction, contentment, reassurance….whatever… from knowing people have to make the same decisions and go through the same life defining moments. Consciously it’s not really about getting advice. For me that comfort serves as inspiration for me to rise up and take control and make my own decisions. First I just need the reassurance of knowing what’s happening to me is normal. Make sense?

“Are we searching for shared experiences that make us feel not-so-alone?”
My answer is Yes.

Ok I won’t lie! I have read self help/relationship books for the purpose of guidance but I usually find myself internally arguing with what the author is saying or just not believing it. I like reading the scenarios more than the actual advice part; however I am now reading “don’t sweat the small stuff” and I find myself more open to the author’s thoughts, maybe it’s because it’s simplified.
I’m trying to accept living life without understanding it, it just takes way too much energy to try to make sense of everything-and life’s complicated as it is. I know that God created me, I know why (or I think I do), oo khalas! However I still find myself compulsively trying to figure things out ( math was always my strongest subject)..but I wouldn’t say it’s so much out of adventure and excitement as much as it is out of being jaded and not trusting of what’s presented before me.

]]> By: Mapless http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121963 Mapless Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:44:33 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121963 I think we all have the tendancy to look for answers, but the funny thing is that at the end we only embrace those convincing to us... Or maybe that's just my stubborn mind! And I dont think there are spoilers! Even if you read or hear an answer for a fundemental question in your life, you will not be able to understand or relate to this answer unless you experience it... it might stay in the back of your mind if you find it interesting and when you experience it... you will feel... Oh that makes sense now!! the "AHA" feeling! but life certainly cannot be read in books... neither do answers exist anywhere except in living... I dont think we are in search for answers through life as much as we are in search for questions.... That's why we tend to question answers as well... I think we all have the tendancy to look for answers, but the funny thing is that at the end we only embrace those convincing to us… Or maybe that’s just my stubborn mind! And I dont think there are spoilers! Even if you read or hear an answer for a fundemental question in your life, you will not be able to understand or relate to this answer unless you experience it… it might stay in the back of your mind if you find it interesting and when you experience it… you will feel… Oh that makes sense now!! the “AHA” feeling! but life certainly cannot be read in books… neither do answers exist anywhere except in living… I dont think we are in search for answers through life as much as we are in search for questions…. That’s why we tend to question answers as well…

]]> By: Um Omar http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121957 Um Omar Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:31:05 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/07/14/the-last-lecture-and-on-being-the-sum-of-our-experiences/#comment-121957 Salam, I saw this man on Oprah and I saw a tad of his commencement speech from this season. He does have some profound things to say. I agree that most of it has been said before, but as with most things, either folks are not usually listening or have forgotten. I think we all need a reminder to keep living in the moment and to live life to the fullest. It is a message that people of all faiths need to hear and remember. None of us know how long we have left. It makes us think twice about the meaningless things we do and the times we yell at those we love for very little reason. InshAllah we will keep trying to remember. Salam,

I saw this man on Oprah and I saw a tad of his commencement speech from this season. He does have some profound things to say. I agree that most of it has been said before, but as with most things, either folks are not usually listening or have forgotten. I think we all need a reminder to keep living in the moment and to live life to the fullest. It is a message that people of all faiths need to hear and remember. None of us know how long we have left. It makes us think twice about the meaningless things we do and the times we yell at those we love for very little reason. InshAllah we will keep trying to remember.

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