Hawkings, a star that went out into the cosmos
The brilliant physicist, Stephen Hawking, passed away at 76 on March 14 in Cambridge, England. Hawking was known to push the limits — in his intellectual life, as well as in his professional and personal life left many in awe. In his 55 years, he became the world's most famous scientist since Albert Einstein for his work exploring the mysteries of space, time and black holes despite being wheelchair- bound and only able to communicate using a computer and his famous voice synthesizer. APPEARING ON TV
The twice married Cambridge- based scientist, embraced popular culture and appeared in The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek, Futurama and Little Britain. He said then, that he embraced popular culture because he wanted to make science more mainstream and encourage the world to ' look up at the stars and not down at your feet'. BOOKS
Hawkings wrote or co- wrote 15 books all in the face of severe health problems.
On God in 2010: It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.
On euthanasia in June 2006: The victim should have the right to end his life, if he wants. But I think it would be a great mistake. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope.
On intellectual showboating in 2004: People who boast about their IQ are losers. ON LEAVING EARTH
Hawking had hoped to leave Earth's atmosphere altogether someday, a trip he often recommended to humans. In 2008 he said, “In the long run the human race should not have all its eggs in one basket, or on one planet. I hope we can avoid dropping the basket until then.”
WARNINGS
Climate change: Hawking’s main fears for the planet was global warming. He had said, “Next time you meet a climate change denier, tell them to take a trip to Venus. I will pay the fare.” He also believed that President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has doomed the planet.
Artificial intelligence: The genie is out of the bottle. I fear that AI may replace humans altogether. If people design computer viruses, someone will design AI that improves and replicates itself. This will be a new form of life that outperforms humans.
Aggression: Hawkings had warned that humanity's biggest failing is aggression and could destroy us. And that the development of militarised technology and weapons of mass destruction could make this instinct even more dangerous.
Dr Hawking was a brilliant and extraordinary mind – one of the great scientists of his generation whose courage, humour and determination to get the most from life was an inspiration. — THERESA MAY, UK PM
His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @ Space- Station in 2014. — NASA