Virtual Reality giant, cool geek and cross-culture builder, Randy Pausch’s last lecture on DREAMS, Living your life to fullest and *head fake* is JUST SUPERB (moving, insightful, timely and worthwhile). Please take the time to watch it. I finished watching it with my kids and wife and it hit home big time for me, but also with my 5year old.

Last lecture- as he is terminally ill with Pancreatic/Gastric cancerous tumors.

Best of luck and our prayers to Pausch’s family! We love you Randy, you have already touched few lives in my household.

[from Tandy’s site]

“We’re mathematicians. We can do whatever we want.”

Professor Janet Talvacchia, Swarthmore College, Department of Mathematics

I attended a talk from Dr.James Watson (the WATSON of DNA fame) at UT. He was funny, concise and overall entertaining. I took some notes (random points that I wrote down) as well as took some pictures (videos). I will post the pictures on Flickr and link it later. Now for the notes-

• Avoid boring people
• Focus on GOOD SCIENCE and not on winning a NOBEL PRIZE
• Double Helix was 1 year too slow
• A book stands on its own
• Its important to have heroes - His initial heroes were Rosevelt/Churchill/Orson Wells. Currently his hero is Roger Federer.
• You are seldom given things given to you - work/fight for it
• Never FLIPPANT to your teachers
• Find a hero
• COLLEGE YEARS ARE FOR THINKING - why over what
• New ideas need new facts
• Listen to your professor’s advise
• Choose a YOUNG THESIS ADVISOR
• Take HARD courses - avoid advanced courses that waste your time
• GRADUATE SCHOOL ARE FOR YOU TO BE TRAINED AS A SCIENTIST
• Have Curiosity broader than your research topic
• Use first name basis as soon as possible
• Work on Unique ideas
• Sit in front row
• Science is HIGHLY SOCIAL
• Leave research when it gets boring. Dont worry about upsetting someone

Then he gave 6 rules for science-

1. CHOOSE AN OBJECTIVE THATS AHEAD OF YOUR TIME
2. NEVER GET INTO A FIELD WITH MORE THAN 3 COMPETITORS
3. WHEN YOU ARE AT THE FRONTIER MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FRIEND THERE WHO CAN PICK YOU UP WHEN YOU FALL
4. STAY IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH YOUR COMPETITOR
5. NEVER BE THE BRIGHTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM
6. BE PREPARED TO FAIL

The notes nor the video or pics give justice to the experience I felt by being in the same room with him. It was great to have the opportunity to meet him. In the end, my awe for him turned into a respect and comfort - I always felt like he was a GOD, but seeing him speak in person and related to the way he did, made him more human and made me believe I can be like him.

Much excited and long awaited - Lecture by the Nobel Laureate