Stephen Hawking 1942-2018

[AnonYMouse]

In a time when society seems filled with science deniers, this feels like a profound loss.

[Dollythehun]

I did not see this, thank you for posting. Regardless of the extent that people agree or disagree, his presence and his brilliant mind will be deeply missed.

[MrHappyRotter]

An international treasure and one of the top people I revered, second only to David Attenborough.

[camille1585]

I was so sad to read about his passing this morning. Part of my inspiration for being the best scientist/biologist I can be came from him and from the thankfully still living Sir David Attenborough (I'm going to be inconsolable the day he dies). They give me hope that people will come to respect science again and start to give our planet the care it deserves.

Hawkings made astro-physics interesting and understandable for normal folks, which is a talent that very few scientists have unfortunately. The loss for society of this talent is nearly as great as the loss of his beautiful mind.

[Dollythehun]

Very well said, Camille. Dr. Hawking was highly relate-able and inspiring.

(However, this post and several others trouble me: It is possible to have varying degrees of different views and still respect science and the planet. It really is not fair or kind to paint everyone with the same brush).

[Mountaineer370]

I am terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Stephen Hawking. A beautiful and brilliant light in the world has gone out. I feel privileged to have lived in the same era as he. May he rest in peace and freedom.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

(However, this post and several others trouble me: It is possible to have varying degrees of different views and still respect science and the planet. It really is not fair or kind to paint everyone with the same brush).

I don't see the posts in this thread as painting everyone with the same brush. They're just pointing it out in a general way.

This topic is something I spend a lot of time thinking about. I don't have a problem with people questioning science in a open minded and inquisitive way. That is, after all, how the scientific method works and people through the ages have always questioned certain findings.

What scares me is the ever increasing anti-science sentiment which pervades social media and society globally, and (US) politics. It is becoming common to the point of becoming normal. No, you can't brush all people with the same brush, but this anti-science sentiment is taking on frightening proportions. Two things that trouble me the most are the politicization of science, and society's increasing rejection of scientific theory or of strong scientific consensus.

[Paul]

Really rather amazing he lived as long as he did. Always impressed me how prolific he was in his field despite his handicap. There are many who would have given up in similar circumstances.

[No-Pro-mwa]

This truly is sad, the poor man. May he rest in peace. I don't see what it has to do with science deniers, am I missing something? Is society filled with people saying there is no such thing as science? It seems to take away from his sad passing. I have an uncle with ALS so it hits close to home for me.

[Dollythehun]

I think, Shannon, it goes (for me) beyond this. Man was given a mind to search and research the world he inhabits. It is a glory to do so, and Dr Hawking deighted and excelled in it! He will be sorely missed.