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Stephen Hawking has died

bbc.com

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Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#201

Post by jsolson »

fhayde wrote: post #192
jsolson wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I would like to attribute my desire to live "forever", at least to some extent, to cosmic perspective. One day the universe might make me bored, but today is not that day, and I suspect tomorrow isn't either. I don't ever expect that day to come, but if I thought it was near I'd be very afraid indeed.

I think a good way to say it might be: I'm not afraid of death, I'm afraid of not existing.

Yes, but given today's technology (and my lack of faith in a suitable deity), I do not have confidence in continuity after corporeal death.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#202

Post by dalbasal »

o2l wrote: post #196
troymc wrote: post #190

Growing up in the middle of nowhere, Canada in the 1980s, the library didn't have many good science books. When Hawking's book got published, it was the only thing available like that anywhere around. Remember, this is before you could get any book in existence within one month via Amazon. There was no Amazon. I got A Brief History of Time and read it, and it's almost cliche to say so, but it changed the course of my…

Can you share the names of other physics books that you think are good & readable ?

'A short history of nearly everything' is extremely readable. Written by a comedic writer. It surveys much of scientific knowledge roughly narrated as a history of scientific discovery and the development of science.

'Elegant universe' is a little denser. It's about as accessible as string theory gets, and that's surprisingly accessible. It also surveys a lot of scientific knowledge. For example, it has a very intuitive explanation of how knowing about the constant speed of light (Einstein) makes time travel possible. Also, it explains open questions that string theory is trying to solve, which are the big, TOE questions in physics currently.

Hard to beat Hawkins though. He heavily influenced and inspired these guys, an proved that hard science is interesting for everyone. Goodbye Professor. You will be missed.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#203

Post by thomasfortes »

There are few people that will be remembered for centuries and centuries to come, but I'm pretty sure that Stephen Hawking is one of them.

Rest in peace Dr. Hawking, the scientific community and all the science enthusiasts in the world will hold your contributions and the story of your life dearly in their hearts.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#204

Post by vixen99 »

racl101 wrote: post #75

Talk about beating the odds. He showed ALS who's boss! He demonstrated that when you have a purpose and the will to live one can overcome their limitations. He inspired me and countless of others. R.I.P. Dr. Hawking.

I absolutely back what you say about Hawking but having a lot of money and a team of dedicated medical specialists at your disposal does help. Let's have a moment's thought for the non-public figure ALS sufferers who don't have those resources available nor a huge number of well-wishers across the world to keep up their spirits.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#205

Post by richrichardsson »

dalbasal wrote: post #202
o2l wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you share the names of other physics books that you think are good & readable ?

'A short history of nearly everything' is extremely readable. Written by a comedic writer. It surveys much of scientific knowledge roughly narrated as a history of scientific discovery and the development of science. 'Elegant universe' is a little denser. It's about as accessible as string theory gets, and that's surprisingly accessible. It also surveys a lot of scientific knowledge. For example, it has a very intuit…

Bill Bryson is the author of "A short history of nearly everything" and it is a very good book!

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#206

Post by cgio »

n17r4m wrote: post #73

Even if there is only one possible unified theory, it is just a set of rules and equations. What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe? The usual approach of science of constructing a mathematical model cannot answer the questions of why there should be a universe for the model to describe. Why does the universe go to all the bother of existing? Is the unified theory so…

Causality is an artefact of the universe. From a philosophical standpoint we would need to establish that why is the key question or we are chasing a socks theory of feet. And that is assuming that why is about causality rather than intention. To paraphrase this abstract's ending, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then the mind of God would be knowable.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#208

Post by eudoxus »

o2l wrote: post #196
troymc wrote: post #190

Growing up in the middle of nowhere, Canada in the 1980s, the library didn't have many good science books. When Hawking's book got published, it was the only thing available like that anywhere around. Remember, this is before you could get any book in existence within one month via Amazon. There was no Amazon. I got A Brief History of Time and read it, and it's almost cliche to say so, but it changed the course of my…

Can you share the names of other physics books that you think are good & readable ?

Many of Lee Smolin's books are phenomenal, and despite being very indepth into their subject matter, are easy and enjoyable to read. Trouble With Physics is my favorite.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#209

Post by erric »

o2l wrote: post #196
troymc wrote: post #190

Growing up in the middle of nowhere, Canada in the 1980s, the library didn't have many good science books. When Hawking's book got published, it was the only thing available like that anywhere around. Remember, this is before you could get any book in existence within one month via Amazon. There was no Amazon. I got A Brief History of Time and read it, and it's almost cliche to say so, but it changed the course of my…

Can you share the names of other physics books that you think are good & readable ?

I find Brian Greene’s books to be well done and engaging.

Re: Stephen Hawking has died

#210

Post by mikekchar »

fhayde wrote: post #192
jsolson wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I would like to attribute my desire to live "forever", at least to some extent, to cosmic perspective. One day the universe might make me bored, but today is not that day, and I suspect tomorrow isn't either. I don't ever expect that day to come, but if I thought it was near I'd be very afraid indeed.

I think a good way to say it might be: I'm not afraid of death, I'm afraid of not existing.

I do not fear non-existence. For most of the history of the universe, I did not exist. I have considerable experience with that. Dying appears to be unpleasant, though.
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