Did you figure out the second head fake? This talk's not for you. It's for my kids

Did you figure out the second head fake? This talk's not for you. It's for my kids

Randy Pausch, a beloved professor at Carnegie Mellon University, delivered a powerful and emotional speech titled "The Last Lecture" in September 2007. In this lecture, Pausch shared his wisdom and life lessons with his audience, knowing that he was facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. One of the most memorable moments from his speech was when he asked the audience, "Did you figure out the second head fake? This talk's not for you. It's for my kids."

This statement was a poignant reminder that Pausch's lecture was not just for the people in the audience that day, but for his three young children who would one day watch the video of their father imparting his wisdom and love to the world. Pausch wanted to leave a lasting legacy for his children, to show them how much he cared for them and to pass on the lessons he had learned throughout his life.

The concept of a "head fake" was a recurring theme in Pausch's lecture, referring to the idea of learning important lessons through seemingly unrelated activities or experiences. Pausch used this idea to challenge his audience to think beyond the surface level of his lecture and to consider the deeper meaning behind his words.

By acknowledging that his talk was ultimately for his children, Pausch emphasized the importance of family and the legacy we leave behind for future generations. He wanted his children to know that he loved them deeply and that he was proud of the people they were becoming. Pausch's words were a powerful reminder to all of us to cherish our loved ones and to live our lives with purpose and intention.