RIP Stephen Hawking

[Haymaker]

As it says.

Genius.

[lord bunberry]

Really sad news. One of the greatest minds ever to have lived.
RIP.

[One Day Soon]

This is a kind of a Mandela moment for me.

An exceptional human being that our species is indebted to for all sorts of reasons. And in an age where science is often regarded as negative or simply practiced for sinister or exploitative reasons he was perhaps the emblematic figure for the magnificence of human endeavour in furthering our understanding of who we are, how we got here and whether we are alone.

[heretoday]

Brave man.

[Sylar]

This is a kind of a Mandela moment for me.

An exceptional human being that our species is indebted to for all sorts of reasons. And in an age where science is often regarded as negative or simply practiced for sinister or exploitative reasons he was perhaps the emblematic figure for the magnificence of human endeavour in furthering our understanding of who we are, how we got here and whether we are alone.

Not wishing to ignite a debate on this thread, but as a scientist, I don't agree with that one iota. Maybe something we can debate on another thread if you're so inclined.

Professor Hawking was without a doubt an inspiration to me (and most other folk I know who pursued a career in the sciences). His passion, not just for his own discipline, but his general concern for the wellbeing of the planet and our species as a whole is unrivalled in the modern age. He was a genius in the truest sense of the word, and his contribution to science will be unparalleled for years to come. Some of his papers are just phenomenal work.

I'm flying to the US for 3 weeks on Saturday - might look out A Brief History and re-read it on the flight over.

[JeMeSouviens]

I wonder how many people really understand his work? I'm not thick (honest) and my degree was in engineering so it's not like I shouldn't have a bit of background. But I've tried to read Brief History of Time with limited success. I was determined not to just skim it and kept re-reading until I was confident I had it. A few painstaking chapters in my brain was melting and I temporarily gave up. That was probably 10 years ago. :wink:

And that's the popular, accessible, beginners' guide. God knows what the real stuff is like. :confused:

[CropleyWasGod]

Not a scientist by any means, and I'll defer to those who are to assess his importance.

However, who was the "expert" who gave him a few years to live when he was only 22? :greengrin

[JeMeSouviens]

Not a scientist by any means, and I'll defer to those who are to assess his importance.

However, who was the "expert" who gave him a few years to live when he was only 22? :greengrin

To be fair, 3-5 years is typical after an MND diagnosis. Another way he has been a remarkable guy.

[Sir David Gray]

To be fair, 3-5 years is typical after an MND diagnosis. Another way he has been a remarkable guy.

Living for over 50 years with Motor Neurone Disease is almost unheard of.

[Hibrandenburg]

A remarkable human being whose achievements will live on for centuries to come. Bearing that in mind it's also remarkable that he will also be remembered for his sense of humour and all that despite suffering from a crippling disability. Amazing man.

[One Day Soon]

Not wishing to ignite a debate on this thread, but as a scientist, I don't agree with that one iota. Maybe something we can debate on another thread if you're so inclined.

Professor Hawking was without a doubt an inspiration to me (and most other folk I know who pursued a career in the sciences). His passion, not just for his own discipline, but his general concern for the wellbeing of the planet and our species as a whole is unrivalled in the modern age. He was a genius in the truest sense of the word, and his contribution to science will be unparalleled for years to come. Some of his papers are just phenomenal work.

I'm flying to the US for 3 weeks on Saturday - might look out A Brief History and re-read it on the flight over.


It would be a short debate because I don't agree with it either. I was simply observing that, sadly, many people do. Scaremongering over GM crops being one obvious example that springs to mind. And as Mrs One Day Soon was a geneticist when I met her - and for a significant part of her career - my default is very pro-science.

[Beefster]

My 10 year old wants to be a scientist because of guys like Hawking and was genuinely gutted this morning when I told him. Just a small measure of the good he did.

The fact that he refused a knighthood is just the icing on the cake (for me anyway).

[Sylar]

It would be a short debate because I don't agree with it either. I was simply observing that, sadly, many people do. Scaremongering over GM crops being one obvious example that springs to mind. And as Mrs One Day Soon was a geneticist when I met her - and for a significant part of her career - my default is very pro-science.

Apologies ODS, I did indeed misread your post - I blame it on being pre-caffeinated! :aok:

I watched a documentary earlier on this morning - it was when Dara O'Briain met Professor Hawking, someone he very much views as one of his personal heroes.

A very touching programme it was too!

[JimBHibees]

This is a kind of a Mandela moment for me.

An exceptional human being that our species is indebted to for all sorts of reasons. And in an age where science is often regarded as negative or simply practiced for sinister or exploitative reasons he was perhaps the emblematic figure for the magnificence of human endeavour in furthering our understanding of who we are, how we got here and whether we are alone.

Good post he led an absolutely heroic life. RIP

[frazeHFC]

Still confuses/amazes me how he could make his computer talk like that just by moving a single muscle in his cheek. Just incredible.

As someone who finds science/space interesting it's very sad he's gone, remarkable person.

[Scouse Hibee]

Still confuses/amazes me how he could make his computer talk like that just by moving a single muscle in his cheek. Just incredible.

As someone who finds science/space interesting it's very sad he's gone, remarkable person.

Infra red detector in his specs which detected his cheak movement so he could stop cursor on word or letter he wanted, a kind of autospell type programme. He had to construct sentence before sending them to his voice synthesizer. Pretty remarkable piece of kit for a remarkable man.

[wpj]

Wonderful gesture

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/stephen-hawking-funeral-casket-service-14482933