“Marika Taylor, a former student of Hawking’s and now professor of theoretical physics at Southampton University, remembers how Hawking announced his U-turn on the information paradox to his students. He was discussing their work with them in the pub when Taylor noticed he was turning his speech synthesiser up to the max. ‘I’m coming out!’ he bellowed. The whole pub turned around and looked at the group before Hawking turned the volume down and clarified the statement: ‘I’m coming out and admitting that maybe information loss doesn’t occur.’ He had, Taylor said, ‘a wicked sense of humour.'”— Guardian Science Editor Ian Sample, relating a colleague’s story in remembrance of the late, great Stephen Hawking, who died this week at 76.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Rest in Peace Stephen, you have inspired me to look at the stars and wonder what lies beyond; thank you, your rest is well deserved!
happiness17
I didn’t agree with some of what Stephen Hawking said. I had a lot of respect and admiration for him. For him to have survived with ALS for fifty-five years, when most people only last 2-3 years with it, was astounding.
His determination to live life to it’s fullest was awesome. He had some major disabilities. Yet he fought through each day to have a productive life. He’s free of his disabilities. R.I.P. Stephen
Iowa Rex
Happiness 17: I have no doubt that you did not mean “He’s free of his disabilities,” in any unkind way, but this implies that death is preferable to disability, which, unfortunately, many able-bodied people believe. His disability, to quote from his NYT obituary, allowed him “to roam the cosmos from a wheelchair, pondering the nature of gravity and the origin of the universe and becoming an emblem of human determination and curiosity.” In the most profound of ways, he was never a prisoner of his “disabilty.”
Kangol
One of the truly brilliant people of his generation. Thanks for all of your mindwork, Dr. Hawking, and rest in physics.
dgsea06
My compliments are to Hussain-TheCanadian. No one else has commented as yet, Thanks, Hussain. However, I thank QUEERTY for posting the notice of the passing of this undisputably remarkable man. Told he had two years to live, he went on and lived for what, fifty more! Inspiration indeed! And his good works resound in the minds and memories of all who have heard and read his thoughts and books. The relationship of time and space is a mind-blower. Read “A Short History of Time”. No, Don’t, you’ll live forever.
Gay? Came Out? YaShure,YaBetcha. Probably not, but what’s the point?
The only reason I commented here is because I just read QUEERTY’s comment policy.
In total agreement. Big Time. Lets keep this place fun and informative (?) and, well, free of that agenda…
Q!- love your use of hyporbole in your headlines and all that . Keeo It Up!
Cylest Brooks
Thanks for this feedback! We’re glad you like the new comment policy! I’m gonna forward this up the ladder to make sure the right people see it!
girldownunder
So sick w/sadness Prof Hawking has died. Awful for us, as he was a beacon of logic. xx