Goodbye to one of the greatest minds of our generation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/stephen-hawking-physicist-who-came-to-symbolize-the-power-of-the-human-mind-dies-at-76/2018/03/14/d4298e14-273a-11e8-874b-d517e912f125_story.html?utm_term=.b4839806efd5

His passing has left a black hole in the world of astrophysics.

swimmerbabe11 said:

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Dumb question: as a non-STEM type person, how did his work affect the laymen non-STEM person? Like...was there any practical application? Was it like Newton's laws where it sets up a foundation for understanding? Is it too early to tell? Or is it all theory and in 100 years, he could be considered totally off or way ahead of his time?

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He had profound influence on people's religion. He was outspoken about his atheism and led countless astray. I don't see how in any sense he is "resting in peace." He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Dumb question: as a non-STEM type person, how did his work affect the laymen non-STEM person? Like...was there any practical application? Was it like Newton's laws where it sets up a foundation for understanding? Is it too early to tell? Or is it all theory and in 100 years, he could be considered totally off or way ahead of his time?

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He had profound influence on people's religion. He was outspoken about his atheism and led countless astray. I don't see how in any sense he is "resting in peace." He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

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Nope can't lead people astray because predestination. Nothing a scientist says can affect the eternal fate of people who God picked to be condemned in the first place



He was the only person who played themselves on a Star Trek series!

Martin Q. Blank said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Dumb question: as a non-STEM type person, how did his work affect the laymen non-STEM person? Like...was there any practical application? Was it like Newton's laws where it sets up a foundation for understanding? Is it too early to tell? Or is it all theory and in 100 years, he could be considered totally off or way ahead of his time?

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He had profound influence on people's religion. He was outspoken about his atheism and led countless astray. I don't see how in any sense he is "resting in peace." He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

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Unfortunately, I agree. May God have mercy on his soul.

And edited to add that no one goes to Hell unless they choose it. So sad.

Sure we do.

AstroAg17 said:

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Martin Q. Blank said:

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He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

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Either there is no afterlife or that specific afterlife exists? I'm pretty sure there are other alternatives. He could also be rolling with 72 virgins or at a heavenly casino with Jesus and the Dalai Lama. We have no idea.

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We have my opinion and Stephen Hawking's. He is either in hell or nothing. Either way, not "resting in peace."

AstroAg17 said:

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There's no guarantee either of you is correct though. I think it's impossible to rule out any possibility.

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There's no guarantee that you exist. But my actions suggest that I believe you do.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Dumb question: as a non-STEM type person, how did his work affect the laymen non-STEM person? Like...was there any practical application? Was it like Newton's laws where it sets up a foundation for understanding? Is it too early to tell? Or is it all theory and in 100 years, he could be considered totally off or way ahead of his time?

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He had profound influence on people's religion. He was outspoken about his atheism and led countless astray. I don't see how in any sense he is "resting in peace." He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

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Dude.

I may not disagree, but can we keep this out of a eulogy thread for the guy?

Solo Tetherball Champ said:

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Martin Q. Blank said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Dumb question: as a non-STEM type person, how did his work affect the laymen non-STEM person? Like...was there any practical application? Was it like Newton's laws where it sets up a foundation for understanding? Is it too early to tell? Or is it all theory and in 100 years, he could be considered totally off or way ahead of his time?

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He had profound influence on people's religion. He was outspoken about his atheism and led countless astray. I don't see how in any sense he is "resting in peace." He either does not exist or is in hell waiting for his final judgment.

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Dude.

I may not disagree, but can we keep this out of a eulogy thread for the guy?

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Asking MQB to not be an arsehole is like asking water not to be wet.

When I say RIP I mean it merely to acknowledge his passing (and maybe express some sadness about it.) Per my understanding, saying RIP is the polite and acceptable way to convey these things.

dargscisyhp said:

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When I say RIP I mean it merely to acknowledge his passing (and maybe express some sadness about it.) Per my understanding, saying RIP is the polite and acceptable way to convey these things.

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Being polite is apparently far beyond some people.

I didn't know so many of you were so close to him. My condolences for your loss.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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I didn't know so many of you were so close to him. My condolences for your loss.

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It's quite a common phenomenon to have some level of sadness over the passing of someone whose work you've admired. Ribbon williams, Carrie Fisher. Billy Graham. Hawking's work is one of the best selling works of popular science of all time. It was a NYT bestseller. He had many books on top of that. He did documentaries. He came off as someone who was very personable, even with his handicap. Despite his limitations, he had the tenacity to overcome, which undoubtedly inspired some who even did not care for his popular scientific work. It should come as no surprise that so many people felt close to him at that level.

I knew you were close to him and I know you (somewhat). I wanted to let you know that I was sorry for your loss.

With Hawking, we lost an atheist celebrity. I doubt anybody on this thread is lamenting over his death.

I'm sad he didn't come to faith and even sadder that he felt the need to lead countless astray. He could have used his celebrity status for good, but chose to use it for evil. I just wanted to correctly state that atheists will not "rest in peace" when they die, both by their own admission and the faith of those they mock.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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I'm sad he didn't come to faith and even sadder that he felt the need to lead countless astray. He could have used his celebrity status for good, but chose to use it for evil. I just wanted to correctly state that atheists will not "rest in peace" when they die, both by their own admission and the faith of those they mock.

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I bet you're an excellent witness.