Ikonboard » Printable Version of Topic

Forum: The Classroom
Topic: Mr. Hawking anyone?!
started by: aventari

Posted by aventari on Oct. 04 2000,00:43

I was just wondering if any of you have read anything by Steven Hawking?

I haven't yet, but it's definately on my list to pick up one of his books next time I'm at the bookstore.
I'm just worried I wont understand a word of it!

On a related note.. < http://www.mchawking.com >
this is very funny stuff, on par with cr0's bastardizations

------------------
aventari
"A witty saying proves nothing." --Voltaire

This message has been edited by aventari on October 03, 2000 at 07:47 PM

Posted by Michael on Oct. 04 2000,00:59

I've got "A Brief History Of Time" and "Black Holes and Baby Universes" sitting on the bookshelf right above my computer, and they are both rather easy reading, since they are written to appeal to the general public, not just for physicists. I would recommend both of them.

Hawking is not only one of the smartest people alive, he is also one of the most courageous. He has lived for years with a disease that leaves him completely paralyzed, not even able to talk, and yet he remains optimistic about life and has continued to break new ground in theoretical Physics.

If you're interested in Physics, I would also suggest Feynman as a good (and rather humorous) writer. "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman," his autobiography, is an excellent book.

Posted by Hellraiser on Oct. 04 2000,02:03

Hawking is one of the greatest influences on my life. I've read every book, watched every movie of his that I can get my hands on. The Hawking's Universe series was a great set, I have them in my video library.

As for your concern about not being able to understand Hawking's books, fear not. They are some of the easiest reading books on physics and cosmology that you could imagine.

------------------
Just your generic meaningless signature. Mix with 2 quarts water and stir till evenly coated.

Posted by Michael on Oct. 04 2000,02:12

Yes! A fellow Hawking fan!

Speaking of books on science, I've got another recommendation: Lewis Thomas. He writes about Biology rather than Physics, but his essays are very interesting and philosophical, and quite entertaining as well. My favorite of his books is "The Medusa and the Snail" which includes essays on warts, mutant goldfish, and punctuation, as well as a spoof on meditation entitled "Transcendental Metaworry."

Posted by kuru on Oct. 04 2000,03:25

hawking, if i remember right, has ALS. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as lou gehrig's disease. it's incurable, fatal, rapidly progressive and leaves the mind sharp up until the moment of death. there's no known cause, but what happens is that the muscles begin to atrophy at the extremities and volunatry muscle, and work their way inward and toward the involuntary muscles (heart, diaphragm) until the patient dies.

it amazes me that anybody can maintain a positive outlook when faced with a disease like that. hawking's truly an outstanding man, for his intelligence and courage with the things he's been faced with.

if i gush a bit, it's because he's a personal hero to me.

------------------
kuru
'put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S
relativity.' - albert einstein

Posted by whiskey@throttle on Oct. 04 2000,04:20

Every once in a while, a true genius emerges. Hawking is truly one such person.

The words "genius" and "erudite" are hastily used these days, in describing artists, prominant thinkers, and high-profile celebrities. However, while the proclivity to label any overachiever as a genius exists, it is encouraging to see that some people still appreciate the mental superiority of true scholars such as Hawking.

Posted by Lordbrandon on Oct. 04 2000,06:03

thanks Dr.Kuru

Posted by Wolfguard on Oct. 04 2000,10:39

You realy have to admire a guy that goes from "I have what?!" to designing every thing he uses daily to getting around.

I also have read his books and they show just how smart this guy is. Everyone can read these books and get a good understanding of very complex things. Great Stuff!

------------------
Nuke em' till they glow and shoot em’ in the dark and let the computer sort em' out.
Then wait for a mutation…