When Stephen Hawking at the age of 21 years was diagnosed with “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, the doctor stated that the guy have left to live no more than two and a half years. However, contrary to predictions, serious illness and several surgeries, theoretical physicist already 73 years old, and he leads a very active lifestyle. Of course, this will to live and quite extraordinary ability in science, could not fail to attract attention even in Hollywood. Today we offer to see 11 citations, without doubt, one of the brightest representatives of the modern scientific community, the Director of the Research centre for theoretical cosmology at Cambridge and author of “a brief history of time”.
About their learning in school
“In the school and particularly in class I was not the smartest student. I had a very strong class. My classwork was very often careless, and my handwriting was introduced to the horror of my teachers. However, my classmates gave me the nickname “Einstein”. Probably saw that in me still hiding some potential. When I was twelve, one of my friends bet another a bag of sweets that I would never be anything worthwhile. Don’t know if the dispute took place and who eventually won…”
About the meeting with aliens
“If one day aliens visit us, the consequences could be much more serious than the discovery of America by Columbus, which, as you know, a very sad end for native Americans. We should look first at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we would never have wanted to meet.”
About the time new scientific discoveries
“I wouldn’t compare this to sex, but at least it lasts much longer.”
Disability
“If you become disabled, it is not necessarily the consequence of your guilt, but to blame the entire surrounding world and expect him to pity is not worth it. You need to look at the situation from an optimistic point of view and try to extract from it all the better, to truly find yourself. If someone has physical limitations, he could not afford psychological. In my opinion, the person in this case should focus its activity in those spheres, where physical restriction of opportunity is absolutely not a problem. Of course, the Paralympic athlete from me could never do it, although for me it is easier to make such a conclusion, because I never liked athletics. On the other hand, science is a great field for physically impaired people, because to work for the most part, have only their brain. Of course, experimental work may require human physical effort, therefore best suited the theoretical sphere of science. My physical limitations were never an obstacle in my work, theoretical physics. In some ways it even helped me avoid the endless lectures and administrative works that I definitely had to do if not a disease. However, I have succeeded in this area only thanks to the help from the outside, namely from my wife, children, work colleagues and students. I found that in General people are very often willing to help you, but you need to inspire, to show that their efforts really will be worth something more in the future through your work.”
About time travel
“I would go back to 1967, the day my first born child Robert. My three children bring me great joy”.
About fate and free will
“I noticed that even those people who believe that everything in life is predetermined and nothing we can do about it, even they change their minds before crossing the road”.
About science vs. religion
“Between religion and science there is a fundamental difference. Religion is based on authority while science is based on observation and solutions to the issue. Science wins because it works”.
About the imperfection
“The next time someone will complain that you made a mistake, just tell him that maybe it’s even better. Because without imperfection in this world he, like you, would not exist”.
About your IQ
“I have no idea. People care about issues about their IQ are losers”.
About women
“They remain a complete mystery”
About the advice he gave his children
“First: do not forget once to look at the stars, instead of usually looking at his feet. Second, never throw the begun business. Work gives you purpose and meaning. Life without her will be empty. Third: if you’re lucky enough to find love, remember, you really found her, and she should not be squandered”.