RIP Steven Hawking

Died today.

Pibbur who keeps talking.

Very sad to hear. He should have given himself a chance for a second life via cryonics.

Good work, Mr Hawking, and good night.

Sad news indeed. Rest in peace. Who'll pick up the mantle? Einstein -> Hawking ->.. ? It's always nice to have a proper science icon.

Originally Posted by Kordanor
Very sad to hear. He should have given himself a chance for a second life via cryonics.

Maybe he's making new discoveries now, like if there really is a God.

Born on the anniversary of Galileo's death, and died on Einstein's birthday. What a loss, and has me wondering if we shall ever see his like again.

I think he timed his death for PI day.

Originally Posted by Maylander
Sad news indeed. Rest in peace. Who'll pick up the mantle? Einstein > Hawking ->.. ? It's always nice to have a proper science icon.

fixed that for you . I don't think even Stephen put himself in his category, but as a celebrity, the media often did. As I understand it, Black Holes were one of the many, many theories that Albert postulated, and Hawking was one of the people that proved that they were real and he expounded on it postulating on the so called "event horizon".

In the end he had a good innings, surviving for many decades after they thought he would die. I can't imagine living like that, but just shows you what a strong will can accomplish. Not really aware of any other big names in physics these days - everything people do seems incremental - no *harumph* quantum leaps….

Well, it's hard to measure the intelligence/genious, discoveries and also the impact on society as a whole. So I wouldn't weight these guys against each other.
DaVinci is someone you could put in the timeline before Einstein though. Wasn't into astrophysics though.

We still have public figures in astronomy / astrophysics, but they are more along the lines of Carl Sagan. There is Neil de Grasse Tyson who also made one of his recent interviews with Steven Hawking public:
https://www.facebook.com/StarTalkRad…?fref=mentions

Then there is Elon Musk. While he is certainly no genious in that regard and also doesn't have a Dr or Prof title, he pushed the topic forward more than anyone else in recent years.

Luckily in Germany we still got good old Prof Dr Harald Lesch. Who btw also just released a video regarding Steven Hawking:

RIP. Honestly, I thought he was "slipping" in last few years with some commentaries, but definitely one of most iconic figures in modern science.

RIP - thank you for actually explaining some of the ideas/theories in his area

I hope someone of similar capability is able to continue his work. He is missed.

https://www.caltech.edu/news/caltech…-hawking-81629

he was a great man

Originally Posted by Lucky Day
fixed that for you . I don't think even Stephen put himself in his category, but as a celebrity, the media often did. As I understand it, Black Holes were one of the many, many theories that Albert postulated, and Hawking was one of the people that proved that they were real and he expounded on it postulating on the so called "event horizon".

I wasn't really referring to the scientific impact. More along the lines of "some science dude the general public actually knows about". We need that. It would be a tragedy if we ended up in a world where only athletes, rock stars and people from reality shows are famous (and as a result, idolized).

He's being laid to rest with Newton and Darwin in Westminster Abbey.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-c…shire-43472054

Larry Flynt will be missed and was one of the greatest minds of our time. RIP

Originally Posted by Hastar
Larry Flynt will be missed and was one of the greatest minds of our time. RIP

Who is this? The Hustler guy (who according to Wikipedia isn't dead yet)?

pibbur who is confused

Originally Posted by pibbur who
Who is this? The Hustler guy (who according to Wikipedia isn't dead yet)?

pibbur who is confused

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwA9oqR4OrM

Ahh. Now I get it.

pibbur who was really puzzled and considered being offended.