Stephen Hawking, Master of the universe
Observance by Lisa Randall
FOR YEARS, IT SEEMED THAT THE BEST WAY TO ESTABLISH my place in the physics world with people outside of it was to talk about the time Stephen Hawking, who died on March 14 at 76, saved me a seat at a conference.
In our incredible, challenging-to-explain universe, it was perhaps inevitable that it was an incredible, challenging-to-explain person who made it more comprehensible—both to the scientific community and to the public.
A functioning brain coupled with what little of his body held of ALS was enough for him to have a life far more active than that of most able-bodied individuals and a life of the mind that exceeded others’ by many multiples.
His contribution to our understanding—particularly of black holes—laid bare mysteries that 40 years later are still daunting.
If most people can’t begin to answer the questions he raised, he helped everyone at least approach them.
Science is not part of a separate world;it is available for anyone to participate,and Hawking’s life should be an inspiration not to turn away from its challenges.
With his many accomplishments, he certainly laid down the gauntlet.
Source: Time
Adapted from http://www.kekenet.com/Article/201811/571129.shtml