Stephen Hawking

(www.lettersofnote.com ())

"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist" ("Stephen Hawking Quotes."). One of the most well known and popular scientists in the world, Stephen Hawking is, "...the most insightful theoretical physicist since Albert Einstein" ("Stephen Hawking"). Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 in Oxford, England into a family of scientists ("Stephen W. Hawking."). Stephen Hawking was married to Jane Wilde, then later Elaine Mason, and has three kids with Jane; Timothy, Lucy, and Robert ("Stephen Hawking"). Family is an important part of his life because it pushes him through his disease. In 1963 Hawking was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a deadly disease that destroys the nerve cells, spinal cord, and parts of the brain that controls muscle activity ("Stephen W. Hawking." and Larsen). Hawking is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, with a degree from Oxford and a PhD from Cambridge ("Stephen Hawking"). He studies quantum mechanics, relativity, and worked on a theory to explain all matter along with the creation of the universe, which is called : "...one of the most difficult problems in science" ("Stephen W. Hawking."). Heroes come in many different shapes and sizes, but all have certain characteristics that make them stand out in a crowd. To become heroic, one must posses determination, intelligence, the ability to think logically and discover, and have the strength to never give up. When faced with challenges, heroes must have the willpower to get back on their feet. Stephen Hawking, a brilliant physicist and ALS survivor, earns himself the title of a hero through his intelligence, resilience, and dedication.

Through Stephen Hawking's insight on the universe, he shows his intelligence and proves himself a hero. Stephen Hawking dares to think what no others have, "...as colleague Kip Thorne explains, 'Hawking is a bold thinker. He is far more willing to take off in radical new directions, if those directions ' smell' right. The absolute horizon smelled right to him, so despite its radical nature, he embraced it, and his embrace paid off '" (Larsen). As this quote explains, Stephen uses his intelligence and education to push the boundaries of science. He is never afraid to break theories other scientists accept as true because he always thinks about the better solution, no matter the situation, which makes him heroic. Hawking also pursues a theory in which, "...Einstein unsuccessfully searched for in his later years. This is the famous unified field theory that aims to bring together quantum mechanics and relativity in a quantum theory of gravity. A complete unified theory encompasses the four main interactions known to modern physics: the strong nuclear force, which operates at the subatomic level; electromagnetism; the weak nuclear force of radioactivity; and gravity. The unified theory would account for the conditions which prevailed at the origin of the universe as well as for the existing physical laws of nature. When humans develop the unified field theory, said Hawking, they will 'know the mind of God'" ("Stephen William Hawking."). By Hawking setting out to explain one of the great mysteries of all time, he proves to be heroic using his intelligence. This theory is one of the most complicated mysteries of the universe to discover, so this quote conveys how deep Hawking thinks and uses his aptitude to make extraordinary contributions to theoretical physics. Hawking's research and brilliance shows he is heroic in the field of science.

(gatheringbooks.org ())

The way Hawking copes with his ALS shows he is a hero because a true idol needs to never give up, no matter the situation. Stephen Hawking endures his disability by saying, "' I have had motor neurone disease for practically all my adult life. Yet it has not prevented me from having a very attractive family, and being successful in my work. This is thanks to the help I have received from Jane, my children, and a large number of other people and organisations. I have been lucky, that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case. But it shows that one need not lose hope'" ("Stephen Hawking."). This quote portrays how, despite losing control of his entire body, Stephen Hawking still manages to keep a positive outlook on life. When faced with hardship most people break apart. Heroes however, overcome their misfortune and thrive with it, as Stephen does. The way Hawking says "...one need not lose hope," proves how even after being diagnosed with ALS he still has the strength to recoil, and only true heroes can always bounce back up after being knocked down. Through his life, Hawking has been conquering and coping with ALS, but, "... Hawking's disease helped him become the noted scientist he is today. Before the diagnosis, Hawking hadn't always focused on his studies. 'Before my condition was diagnosed, I had been very bored with life,' he said. 'There had not seemed to be anything worth doing.' With the sudden realization that he might not even live long enough to earn his PhD, Hawking poured himself into his work and research" ("Stephen Hawking Biography."). When faced with devastation, Hawking had the resilience to still excel in theoretical physics. This quote displays how despite his condition, he still managed to have a family, showing nothing can prevent someone from living a full life. Hawking's flexibility with his condition proves how true heroes face life's obstacles and conquers them.

(healthydebates.com ())

Hawking spends his entire life searching for new and updated theories for the future of mankind and science, proving heroes need dedication to impact people. As Stephen Hawking is, "...asked about his objectives, Hawking told Robert Deltete of Zygon in a 1995 interview, 'My goal is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.' ("Stephen William Hawking."). As this quote proves, Hawking dedicates his life to physics and quantum mechanics to gain knowledge on the origin, destruction, and life of the universe. He continually shows how he works on this theory, proving his commitment to his research. His heroic discoveries and work is all to help future scientists and people. As Hawking furthered his explorations, he, "...now asked whether there really had ever been a beginning to space-time ...Hawking suggested that new universes might be born frequently through little-understood anomalies in space-time. He also investigated string theory and exploding black holes, and showed mathematically that numerous miniature black holes may have formed early in the history of our universe" ("Stephen Hawking."). Contemplating, analyzing, and discovering the secrets to our universe is Hawking's life. The quote shows how he became a well recognized scientist only because of his dedication to this subject, and how if one sticks with a goal, they can achieve it. Stephen Hawking became a pioneer for modern day theoretical physics and hero for the future of humankind from his dedication to his studies.

Stephen Hawking proves to be a hero by showing his resilience to ALS, dedicating his life to his research, and using his intelligence to push the confines of science. Stephen Hawking, the greatest physicist since Einstein ("Stephen Hawking") , has become one of the most well known scientists on the planet. Hawking survived and thrived with ALS his entire adult life, even as doctors suspected him to die (Larsen). Hawking does not accomplish and publish his work for the awards and recognition of his accomplishments, he does it because he strives to become a better physicist (Larsen). I think Hawking is a hero because he proves that anyone can accomplish great feats in science, no matter their burdens. Hawking inspires me because despite his illness, he became one of the greatest physicists and quantum mechanics scientists. As Hawking stated, " look up at the stars", keep dreaming, and wonder about everything around you and all you can see.