Stephen Hawking

Stephen HawkingMick from San DiegoA Paralyzed Mastermind
we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special." This is a quote from Professor Stephen Hawking, about his thoughts about humans and the universe. Hawking is best known for being a remarkable genius. Also, he was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) back in 1963, and was only given 2 years to live. He has been living with the disease for almost 50 years. Stephen surpassed many doctors' predictions that he would live for so long. Other things he is known for is that he made the discovery that black holes do in fact emit x-rays and gamma rays, and can be detectable. Though he had a life threatening disease, he kept on studying to achieve his Ph.D. Professor Stephen Hawking is the Einstein of today. With his intelligence, bravery and his determination, nothing was going to get in the way of him pursuing his dream. Not even the fact that he has a life changing disease.

Professor Stephen Hawking is known for his great intelligence, and thought to be the greatest scientist of our time. His mind is without a doubt unreal, based on the amount of information his brain holds. Hawking came up with a simple theory that would answer everyone's question. "If we find the answer [the unified theory], it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason -- for we would know the mind of God." (Magrass). Knowing the mind of God, would answer every single question ever asked. Stephen Hawking proposed this theory, and he might be right.  If we were to understand the mind of God, all of our problems would be fixed and everything would be in unity. To come up with such a theory, takes a truly genius mind. In one of Hawking's speeches, he claims that once and if we find a complete theory; everyone could can contribute to why the universe and we exist. "If we do discover a complete theory, it should be in time understandable in broad principle by everyone. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people be able to take part in the discussion of why we and the universe exist." (Honan). Being able to comprehend and give such a statement requires such a vast understanding of the universe. No other mind would've come up with such a statement. Hawking seems to ask every question that no one seems to ask. Hawking wants the answer that no one has; why does the universe exist? One must be an intelligent being to know the answer to this question. Though it seems that the question will never be completely answered. Though he may be immobile with ALS, the mind that Stephen Hawking possesses is infinite. To have such an understanding for the universe and everything else in it, is absolutely astounding.

Professor Hawking has been facing death for almost 50 years from his condition with ALS, and still is brave enough to continue on with his life. Also, he is a man worth proving his point; he questions God's decisions. During an interview about his condition, Stephen explained his feelings how and what is it like to live with the disease. "I am quite often asked: How do you feel about having ALS? The answer is, not a lot. I try to live as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many." (Hawking). Stephen has been living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for almost 50 years. His doctors told Hawking that he would only live for 2 more years, when he was diagnosed in 1963. He defied everyone by living longer than anyone would have ever predicted. Even though Hawking has the disorder, it doesn't change how he thinks whatsoever. He still has the mind of a genius, and nothing will change that. Hawking also demonstrates bravery when he went against God's Word saying that cheats in making everything in the universe. "God not only plays dice, he also sometimes throws the dice where they cannot be seen." (Honan). It is one thing to say how God plays the game, but a different thing when you say He cheats. Stephen said this directly to God, but does question that He does cheat sometimes. Stephen isn't afraid of questioning Him, but all he wants is an answer. If God plays unfair, why does he do it. For Hawking, he isn't afraid to either ask a question or get the answer. To judge Stephen Hawking just on his physical appearance is purely ill. Not knowing that this man is a pure genius who has been living with ALS for almost 50 years, and accused God of being a cheater, is one to earn the title brave.

In Professor Stephen Hawking's dictionary, the word "quit" does not exist. He is determined to prove his point no matter how long it takes him. No matter what comes to him, he will prove his point. Hawking explains a time in his life where it took years to solve just one problem. "It is no good getting furious if you get stuck. What I do is keep thinking about the problem but work on something else. Sometimes it is years before I see the way forward. In the case of information loss and black holes, it was 29 years." (Honan). For someone to take 29 years of their life to solve just one problem, is neither pathetic nor unremarkable. He truly has the patience and the determination to not quit after a vast period of time. Hawking will prove his point, even if it takes the rest of his life to. Never have I seen a man work on a problem that lasts over 5 minutes, but Stephen Hawking changed the meaning of determination. During an interview, Hawking gave a short, simple answer on giving up. "It matters if you just don't give up" (Magrass). To just give up, is quitting at that moment. There is no point or determination to keep going whatsoever. But for Stephen Hawking, he would never just give up. It would at least take him a long period time to even consider that option. It does really matter if you just give up. Then it also matters if you just don't give up. That means you did not quit right away, but worked on that problem for some time before giving up. Professor Hawking is known to prove people wrong, and to prove his point. With his determination unlike any other, from spending weeks preparing a speech, to solving an equation; Hawking is determined to get his point out for people to hear.

Stephen HawkingMick from San DiegoIf something were to get in the way of Stephen Hawking, it would be anti-matter. Because there is nothing that would stand in the way of Professor Hawking. Hawking has been staring death in the face for almost 50 years from ALS. Although he simply shrugs it off, as if nothing happened. Hawking is just a step away from entering God's mind. His discoveries with space and to black holes, are absolutely fascinating. "Professor Hawking has over a dozen honorary degrees and awarded the CBE in 1982. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Science. Stephen Hawking is regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein." (Honan). There is no ending for Stephen Hawking, he does not simply just quit. No matter how long it took Stephen to solve a problem, he kept working on it till it was complete. He has that determination to reach his goal. Also knowing he can succumb to his disease at any moment, also telling God off is to have some bravery. From being brilliant to courageous then to single minded. Stephen Hawking seems to defy the odds and to continue in his life as if nothing happened. "In 1963, Hawking contracted motor neuron disease and was given two years to live." (Hawking). Stephen Hawking prevailed in his mission of surviving the expectancy, but is still fighting against the disease today. His keen intelligence is unlike any other and truly deserves to be recognized. This is what a true hero must possess; the bravery, determination and intelligence to defy everyone else that you can get through your problems, even if you are unable to move.

Harmon, Katherine. "Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American." Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American. 7 Jan. 2012. Web. 10 May 2012. http://www.scientificamerican.com/ 

Stephen HawkingMick from San DiegoHawking, Stephen. "Stephen Hawking - Home." Stephen Hawking - Home. Web. 10 May 2012 http://www.hawking.org.uk 

Honan, Daniel. "Stephen Hawking" Big Think. Bigthink.com Web. 10 May 2012. http://www.bigthink.com/stephenhawking 

Magrass, Yale R. "Stephen Hawking." Academic Search Complete. EBSCO, Sept. 2008. Web. 10 May 2012 http://search.ebscohost.com/ 

McDaniel, Melissa. "Stephen Hawking." Encyclopedias of World Biography. Notable Biographies, Apr. 2005. Web. 10 May 2012 http://www.notablebiographies.com/ 

Roberts, Laura. "Stephen Hawking: God Was Not Needed to Create the Universe." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 2 Sept. 2010. Web. 10 May 2012 http://www.telegraph.co.uk