Good evening, all. This is a human interest story, quite unusual for me. But I have a link to it as you will see shortly.
Professor Hawking is perhaps the largest intellect of our time. He is 65 years old, and still lives with ALS. I am not unconvinced that his intellect drives his body to live, but that is only my hypothesis. More after the fold.
Update: almost everyone knows who Professor Hawking is. This is a great community. I need a job. Warmest regards, Doc.
I am not going into the contributions that Professor Hawking has made. Many people have done better jobs than I have. What I will do is tell you that he rode on the "vomit comet" yesterday. For those of you who have seen the news coverage, the look on his face was one of pure joy. Yesterday, Professor Hawking experienced life without any confinement, even that of gravity.
Professor Hawking is sort of a superstar. He played poker with Data, Einstein, and Newton on Star Trek: the Next Generation. He holds the Lucasian chair of physics that Newton once held. But here is my connection to him.
I hold in my hand letterhead from University of Cambridge, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, dated 10 July 1995. It reads: Dear Mr and Mrs Smith Thank you very much for your letter dated 16 June 1995. Professor Hawking has asked me to tell you that it was very kind of you write and he is glad that you are both well. Yours sincerely, Sue Masey
Why is that important to me? My mum and dad just happened to ride with Professor Hawking across the English Channel on holiday from Arkansas (yes, Arkansas) and struck up a conversation with him through his assistant. My mum, without much formal education, immediately recognized him and knew his impact. Throughout the crossing she told me that he was engaging, friendly, and never condescending. And he had the courtesy to have his assistant reply to their letter wishing him well.
So, GO! Professor Hawking. I am delighted that you were able to experience zero G at last. I hope that you hang around long enough to get into orbit, and not like Scottie today. For real, in life. Now I am getting emotional, so I will stop. Just too bad neither my mum or dad are around to celebrate with him.
I corrected the phrase that said hand on with hang on, and want to let you know it was my now deceased parents, not me that met Professor Hawking. Warmest regards, Doc.