Podman just likes to read his own garbage, he uses whatever big words he can come up with to try and give the illusion he knows something other than craving attention.
IMHO I think this guy is speaking honestly from a viewpoint of one that has lived a happy and privileged childhood. He acknowledges this fact, but does not really seem to understand that just "Working Harder" is not always enough, or even an option for billions of human beings. In the light and nebulous air of academia perhaps I will forgive his shortsighted viewpoint, but I give it no greater weight because he will be leaving his mortal existence in 6 months, or if he were to live to be 100 years old.
Wisdom comes from a life of experience enjoined with contemplative thought and not from cancer. There is some wisdom here, but a life threating disease should not give one a deeper introspection into life. This introspection should be a daily task for everyone.
If I were dying I would not appear on the Oprah show in an attempt to garner this kind of attention, and bolster the sale of dog food. Perhaps he should have made a private and anonymous video for YouTube to avoid the mountains of Pity mail and gifts he will now be receiving. I view this video as personally exploitative, and typically shallow behavior of someone seeking their 15 minutes of fame at the price of personal privacy and dignity.
I am not emotionally moved by someone that has worked hard and achieved success and is now dying from incurable cancer after three attempts to save his life. I am emotionally moved by a shack of dying children that had no opportunities for success, and could have lived but they did not get a 49 cent vaccine. The real tragic point is that disease throughout the world will kill millions every year.
Here we have the a huge spotlight on the story of a wealthy and respected American life, for millions there is no light at all, and who weeps for them?
As he pointed out, he didn't write that lecture for the 400 kids in his class or you. He wrote it for his 3 kids. It's important to him that they hear what he has to say when they're older and better able to absorb it. I don't think he cares a bit about 15 minutes of fame. It means nothing to him considering the circumstances.
It makes me want to sit down and write a letter to each of my young kids so they know what's important to me and how I hope they will lead their lives. Who knows, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.
Actually, I think your point is one of his theses. He knows that no matter how hard he works he will not be able to beat his pancreatic cancer. That shouldn't prevent him from having fun, however. Your callous reaction to this man is alarming; saying that he is somehow exploiting his own misfortune for personal gain is absurd. He said at the outset, (paraphrasing) "'I do not want to be an object of pity. This stinks. I feel really bad about it. But I cannot do anything about it and I'm not going to waste time railing against something I can't control." Maybe he feels he's learned something from being sick that other people, having not been sick, don't quite understand. Maybe he's trying to make a last impression on the world because he loses his ability to do so in about a month. This is his last chance. What better way to do it than on Oprah's TV show?
You just created a false choice for yourself. No one is asking you not to feel sympathy for the dying children you mention. No one is asking you to feel sympathy for this dying man. You can choose to have sympathy for both, at the same time, if you wish. Everyone dies. We should have compassion for all of them.
Did u watch the whole vid he clearly says at the end he has done it for his children and PODMAN what make you such an expert, but that is your opinion and u have a right to it.
So Be it
P.S im with dave i think i have some writing to do
Podman, I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said in the other replies to your message other than that I too disagree generally with your post.
Pod, Having the privlege of both parents, wealth, education in this young father live enforces how important they all are. For this one man there are tens of 1000 without it . This is shown in so many vids we watch on Glum. So as privleged as he is/was he used it to become a bit special.
Dave - I think he could have made a much more meaningful video at home. Why does he have to be on Oprah? I do not watch Oprah, so perhaps there was some part that is not shown, like his last wish was to be seen on the Oprah show. Maybe I'm not sure. But I have to reiterate that IMHO that this kind of video would be better made at home, without exposing his family to the voyeuristic gaze of the internet and Television.
mono - Perhaps I'm a bit callous due to the nature of his statements, and maybe if I knew him personally I would understand why his statement must be public for it to reach his children, but maybe not. I respect the man for his achievement, and the world would be a better place with him in it. But the reality of living is that we all 'hopefully' build ourselves up to a pinnacle of achievement before we die, and that is why death is so indescribably tragic. We paint our beautiful pictures for God, and it is all burned to ash in the end. Perhaps this is why many find the public display of death distasteful.
He has lived a better life in his short time than most humans have lived in the past or present. He is grateful for it, and we are grateful and admire his achievement. I'm not sure why it bothers me, but having to make his death video on Oprah is perhaps distasteful only to me, but I never liked Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer either. I think there are things that should be done in private, and there are things that can be done in public, and this one is on that fuzzy line for me.
Planet - I'm no expert. I have been sick to the point of death, which I remember well. I did not appear on TV, nor did the 20 or so sick people who died that week on that same ward.
I do think that we Americans have a problem dealing with death, and to this end if he sparks a discussion that will help others then I think his 15 minutes will have be well spent, even though he did not state that as his objective.
He said from the start that he was not looking for pity. He says he's probably stronger than most people in the room, and to his benefit, I think in more ways than one. I can guarantee that Oprah begged him to come on the show.
His point was to show people in America how lucky they are, how glad they should be for their blessings. Truth is that as adults all we do is complain, myself included. I do know the importance of fun, but damn it, you're going to hear how hard it is!
It is not this man's fault that there are kids dying in other places because of their poor economic standing. In fact he's helped those around him have fun, and helped kids that enjoyed the Aladdin VR game (I'm glad I got to meet one of the faces behind that game, that shit was awesome).
I did not have the best of childhood, not by a long shot, but that's not going to keep me from having a good time. This guy is damn strong and I respect anyone living with the effects of cancer (be it your own or a loved ones).
I have to humbly retract some of my harsher statements regarding this man and his appearance on the Oprah show. Thanks to Seeker I have viewed the actual lecture he gave at CMU and this man is extraordinary in that venue. I now understand his message and I think I know why he felt compelled to appear on TV. I found his message confusing because the time constraints of the Oprah show fragmented his lecture so badly that (to me) he came across as shallow. However my viewing of his entire lecture has shown the opposite to be true.
I do not know how you other viewers got the message via this video and I did not, but I guess being a engineer I always need more information. When I'm wrong I say I'm wrong. I was wrong in my first assessment.
I do think that the time constraints of Oprah show did not serve up his message as well as the video of his actual lecture. I wish him well and he has already gone 5 months past his departure date. I also don't think he should have exposed his family to the tidal wave of media attention they are now going to be subject to. Just look what it does the Hollywood folks.
I don't know if prayers help, but I will be sending some good will his way.
Podman you are an idiot. He gave this lecture because he wanted to give advice and hope to others before he died and tell his children about what kind of life he led and what kind of life they should lead. Even though there are millions dying in the world that doesn't mean that he doesn't matter and also he doesn't say "if you believe and work hard you can become anything you ever dream of". You should watch the original which is both longer and less diluted by commercialism. There he says in the beginning that he always wanted to go to space and so one of his childhood dreams was to be weightless like in space. Not an astronaut but weightless because he already knew that people can't become astronauts without perfect vision and so he knew he couldn't become one and so he decided that he would just find another way to experience the feeling of being in space.
Bleh. I liked the message that was intended, but I didn't like the messenger. He kinda dilluted his message with all has reminiscing about how lucky he was as a child. It's almost as if he was saying "Look how lucky I was! Therefore if you work hard you can achieve anything." That doesn't make any sense.
It's a LOT more effective when the message is "Hey, I had a bad start in life, and yet I managed to be successful. So if I can do it, so can you!"
And what the heck do the pushups have to do with anything? Why did he need to prove he was physically stronger than most of the audience...and the speech wasn't even about physical strength.
The dude has the right idea, but he presented it in a very confused way.
Having faced cancer myself, with an unknown outcome and still "waiting" to see if it comes back, I've not written the letters to my children, instead I've talked to them, both together and separately, both before the surgery and after. Facing something like this changes everything you think you knew about yourself, this guy is how I'd like to be, but I couldn't be so matter of fact. I think about wasting away, being on chemo or whatever barbaric things they do to you these days, the expense on my family, watching them watch me wither, that's what bothers me the most. For me I can say the same things, had a good life, good childhood etc, etc, but that means nothing to your kids, they want you there...fucking cancer I hate it!!!!!!!!!!
Hey miter GOD BLESS YOU, 8 yrs ago even though I was in great shape I found out I had stage 4 liomiosarcoma {terry fox disease] . Yea it scared me but being a tigger I did what i had to do to get well . I now enjoy every day almost every minute . Some more than others . In the real world my middle initial is L for LUCKY.Lucky to have my family I havebeen lucky to survive 8 years and the best for last . NOT FUCKING Matt Damin or CANUCK 1963but pissing him off! ROLF
With ya i was diagnosed with cancer aswell(wrongfully)didnt find out till i was laying on the operating table with IV in my hand but i went through months of stress and it doesnt make this guys story any less touching.
We all have ups and downs thats part of life and i dont take anything away from this guy because he did it on oprah he just has the oppurtiniity to do it on worldwide television i tip my hat to the man
I lost my wife to cancer recently...after 21 years of marriage and 17 of those fighting the cancer. (I'm 44, she was 41). Hang in there miter. Hang in there all of you who have it or know of someone who does. God bless all of you and those of you who are giving care to someone. It is a lonely feeling to come home and not have your best friend there. I would stay out late with my little boy (Wal-mart loved me...lol) just to stay busy. I am doing much better now, but it was a rough road. She had her sense of humor right down to the end. When she saw herself for the first time in a full-length mirror after a few months of staying in the hospital, she said, "oh crap!...I look like Mr. Burns...(The Simpsons)...we laughed a good laugh. So many people have remarked since her passing about how life is so unfair. I say life IS fair. God gives us so much...so many blessings and asks for so little in return. She is there now with Him, and is no longer struggling. These are my thoughts, some of which may not run parallel to other's beliefs...but I thank you none the less for the opportunity to share them.
Healey...me too. Met Mary when I was 16...got married at 20 (while still in college), had 5 kids before we were 30 (Irish Catholic, I suppose, assured that would happen)...lost her at age 51 , to melanoma, eight days before our 32nd anniversary.
I was no hero. "Lost it "in the final months. My love, strength and direction...and motivation...passed at age 52, and I was alone. Handled it badly...very badly.
Podman has posted many terrific messages in the past. And it looks like he has taken a newer view of Pausch's presentation after hearing from other glumbertarians...and I guess, after viewing Pausch's entire program not shown on the Oprah piece.
All I can add at this point is: when it hits YOU - it is no longer a hypothetical or philosphical issue...it is real. Reactions vary greatly....Pausch's is amazing. Mine weren't. It is a ghastly experience to watch a dynamic force of life sentenced to death by chance. Cancer is remorseless, and an equal-opportunity killer.
I lucked out after a time...found a widow (husband's heart attack) who was dumb enough to accept me as her life-partner. She brought love and stability and direction and two kids to the relationship....I brought need, and a steady job...don't know if that was quite as fair as it should have been, but there you go...and it has worked well up to today.
As for the critics of this video, I guess them to be young and ignorant of life's caprices....I was a smoker (quit a while back) who lives, but my non-smoking wife died of cancer.
You don't really get over that, do you Healey? Losing a life-partner after so many years? Even when you "move on", part of you doesn't, does it.
Sorry to have carried on...life is so interesting, from a distance, that is. Still, Glumbert provides so many reminders of times-past...sometimes I think "youth" and "stupidity" are inseparable notions, but usually that's only when I read particularly shallow, flippant comments...and there are a few of those in this thread.
I watched this and venue makes all the difference in the world. The man really found his place in a lecture hall.
I was really moved by this video. Thanks for the link. It just shows how shows like Oprah should stay away from serious subjects if they are not willing to commit to a format that can convey greater eloquence.
Oh canucl1963, please, just shut up. Do you really feel that way? Come on. Give us a break. You are imitating a person, and poorly I might add, that actually has some sense and usually a meaningful contribution. No one here is impressed with your bullshit.
canuck, putting aside the emotions i have and the pleasure i get dissing u. I sincerely hope neither you or any of your love ones have to join the cancer club.
No matter how strong you feel you are emotional u are faced with the reality that death could be imminent. IT SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF YOU!
LIVE LARGE AND ENJOY THE FREE STUFF LIFE OFFERS.
Nor yours, TIT. You imposters are like a misquito, annoying, no real place in life except to annoy others. Is this what makes you feel good? Get a life, and a REAL name.
No Free, you go for it, these alias #$%^$# are worthless soles, lets all hit the inappropriate button and say good by...and be relentless about it too!
HEY EVERYONE!!Don't forget your life insurance. BTW if you're young and healthy get it now!!! Once you get cancer you may not be able to get it, or most likely, if you can get it, you probably can't afford it.
If you're married and have kids don't forget your mortgage protection. Get a critical illness policy trust me. Don't leave your spouse behind to have his/her life changed even more than becoming widowed. Don't be selfish.
Good advice shallow! I got caught up in an insurance nightmare. When I got divorced a couple years ago, she was employed in the medical field and I am self-employed, we went with her health ins. Now I'm on the last throws of COBRA and managed to get cancer in the middle of the coverage term, so now I'm "uninsurable" with my "pre-existing" condition! I'll tell you timing is everything!
In Canada it does not cost Canadians one thin dime for cancer treatments. Mexico ,England ,Germany ,Finland etc,etc,etc don't pay for medical treatments either, only in America,how sad. I would like to hear from our friend chucknorris defend the tragedy of the American medical debacle. Here's Chuckeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Good for you canadaman. Maybe the entire US should move up there? Or.... maybe nationalized health care is in sight finally. We'll have to wait till hitler is ousted from office in a little while. Mitercut. COBRA is out of sight in cost. I can't imagine anyone having available funds for that (unless ofcourse you're doing quite well.. but the average US citizen can't squeeze that). I'm going into business for myself in a short time. Going to need coverage before it's not available.
By 1:07 I thought this guy was an asshole. "I'm dying, I don't want to, I have 3 kids, but don't pitty me, and I am stronger than you are." Other than dying, what is this guys credentials? I could give this bout of arrogance, but noone would listen to me becuse, fuck if I am healthy.
fuerstjd....remarkably ignorant post. "Other than dying, what is this guys credentials?"
Man...how would you hope for credibility for your ideas when you begin with such callous and shallow words. IMO....imminent death is a perfect credential for talking about life...wouldn't you agree? Who else is better able to value it? And to speak profoundly about it?
You are healthy...NOW. You can only be hopeful about being healthy in the future, friend. And for many, health is not a question of eating well, or exercise, or even avoiding bad health habits. Many simply become diseased as a matter of genes, chance, time and location, bad luck...and so forth with the unpredictables and unmanageables.
So....go lift weights, jog, eat tofu, and whatever...and cancer may never visit you or your loved ones. Pausch probably did those things too....pancreatic cancer is seldom a result of willed behavior, so he is truly a "victim".
Might that not be a sufficient credential for speaking to the issue of valuing life?
mako...the mayfly has a lifespan so short, and so brainlessly instinctive...many miss the eating part and the f***ing part, and can't do anything else except die.
Nah....life can be tough, but it beats the hell out of whatever is in second place.
Hey Canadaman - shitting takes too much time when one only has 24hrs to live.
My error and apols - mayflies actually don't eat so should therefore not poop.
Yup agreed Chaz (tho 'brainlessly instinctive might be a good way to describe some posters... LOL)
Sorry to hear of your loss. Both my grandfathers went from the big C when I was too young to know them properly and I feel there's probably a little genetic cancer bomb in our family.
Saw my best friend's Mother die of it too. Misdiagnosed ovarian cancer
She was repeatedly told that the haemorraging she was experiencing was nothing but menopausal bleeding. Only after insistence on 3rd, 4th, 5th etc opinions that it became clear and her instinct that something was very wrong with her was confirmed. By then it was too late. Cancer really is an absolutel fucker.
I thought this video was great... in response to some people's implicit and explicit questions (IMHO):
-- Why Oprah? Because he knows his message which was not really JUST for his 3 kids will reach a huge audience that way. A LOT of people watch Oprah and a LOT of people get a lot out of it and take her advice very seriously and to heart. I am not one of them, but I think it's great he got on a show with huge distribution and gave a great message.
-- What about his great child-hood? What he's really saying is... I know I had a great child-hood and it made things easier for me, but I believe that even for people who did not grow up the way I did, these principles and best practices still apply.
-- re: Pity. His whole point was for the viewer to NOT pity him, to NOT pity the weak and the dying and the sick, but to make the most out of life. His point was that we should all make the best out of life so that when we DO become weak, sick, dying, that we can look back and be happy for giving it our best shot.
-- re: credibility... EVERYONE has something to teach us... even criminals, retards, insane people etc... some of the messages don't come in the same way as this guy's, and not everything someone says in their message is always correct or necessarily the real message... but everyone has the credentials to give their little bit of advice on how they make it work, to everyone else.
FYI: I personally had a really shitty child-hood, but found that everything he said was true about some things to think about and try to do throughout life.
I'm a 60 year old man, and this is at the very least one of the most profound speaches I have ever heard. What a wonderful and thoughtful man to be willing and able to share his perspective with all who wish to hear it.
Everything he said was very true and good advice. But the best advice in life was not mentioned once. In the end none of his life advice matters if you die not knowing and having served the awesome God who gave His only son so we would spend eternity with Him by His saving grace.
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