10 Questions for Randy Pausch

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I've noticed that you're a great believer in vacations. What place has inspired you most? —Anastasia Nikolaeva, Cologne, Germany
On our honeymoon, my wife and I went to Thailand. We got to see the dormitory that my parents were able to create. There's nothing like seeing that kind of help for other people to really inspire you.

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I'm a massive push-up maniac. How many push-ups could you have done during your lecture if you kept going? —James Cash, Lexington, Ky.
That day? [Laughs.] I was in good shape then. I could probably have done 100. It may have been sets of 25, but I think could have gotten to 100.

What was your happiest moment, personally and professionally? —German Oliveros, Bucaramanga, Colombia
Personally, it was the day I proposed to my wife. Nothing could ever touch when she said, 'yes.' Professionally the two moments that come to mind are when I got to Imaginarium, which was just such a joyous thing, and the very first "Building Virtual Worlds" show that we did. It's amazing when young kids do something that is literally beyond your imagination.

Einstein once said, "It's a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." What would you say to that? —Muhammad Damanhori, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
That reminds me of Mark Twain, "Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education." I always tell my students that they should spend their time in whatever way helps them learn. I'm perfectly happy if they cut my class because they were doing something that was a better use of their time.

What hopes do you have for your children? —Kimi Ynigues, Boise, Idaho
I don't have specific dreams for my children. I have tremendous hope that they will have dreams, that they will work hard, that they will chase them, and they will try to do something worthwhile with their lives. I personally believe that the worst thing you could do for your children is to say, 'My dream for you is to do X.' Because, boy, if you aren't lucky enough to pick their natural inclination and desire, you've just set up a situation of tremendous tension that may not work out well.

You mention in your lecture that one of the keys to success is working extra hard. But shouldn't life have a balance? —Claire Morris in Arlington, VA
The thing I wish I'd clarified in the lecture is that was when I was single. Once I got married and had kids you would not find me in my office at 10pm.

What's your favorite book? —Zora Brozina, Zagreb, Croatia
I loved A Wrinkle in Time. I dearly love Flowers for Algernon. There is an unpublished manuscript that I think is going to soon be published. It's by a guy named Rich Gold who died way too young. It's called The Plenitude. It's an obscure reference, but one that I hope will become less obscure over time.