Introduction:
This article was written by myself and published in the Huffington Post today. I've expanded it for Steemit. Whatever the USD value of the reward which is paid out, I will donate to the fantastic Motor Neurone Disease Association who fund research into this disease throughout the world.
Professor Stephen Hawking said in an interview with the New York Times:
“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny”
This encapsulates both his tremendous sense of humour, and the resounding success of his many personal and professional endeavours over the physical limitations of Motor Neurone Disease.
I was fortunate to study in the same college where Stephen Hawking worked as a Fellow: walking past his office on the way to dinner, sometimes eating in the same hall. It always felt surreal to live and study in the same place as this scientific luminary, and I spent many awe-struck dinners manoeuvring through the long students’ tables in a rather unseemly way so that I could catch a glimpse at how he uses his computer-based communication system.
Every so often, he used to join the students in the college bar where he might have been sipping a soft drink or talking to students. After a few terms, I plucked up the courage to ask for a photo with him, and he graciously obliged. Indeed, Professor Hawking never gave the impression of an aloof celebrity scientist, he always seemed to be an authentically down-to-earth man who appreciated life and the people around him.
Stephen Hawking in our college bar. He liked Diet Coke. Image source: Own Photo
His self-deferential style of comedy is a feature of his many cameos on popular television series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Simpsons, Futurama and The Big Bang Theory. He knowingly portrayed himself as a petty, self-important egotist in these and routinely stole the show. One of his funniest recent gigs was his retort to satirist John Oliver’s question “Does that mean that there is a universe our there where I am smarter than you” was “Yes. And also a universe where you’re funny”.
Enjoying a Zero-Gravity experience. Source: Steve Boxall
Nevertheless, arguably the greatest testament to his character remains how he tirelessly fought over the last few years in support of the National Health Service. His robust defence of the NHS, without which he said “I wouldn’t be here today” turned to a clinical attack of politicians in a speech at the Royal Society of Medicine where he warned of a “US-style insurance system” being brought about by ministers cutting funds and privatising the healthcare service. Alongside the NHS, he also battled to safeguard science funding and recruitment following the UK’s EU referendum decision. As I work in medicine, this elevated his status in my mind from a hero to a kind of mythic entity: he was spending his sunset years fighting for what he believed was right, with the fire in his soul burning brighter than ever.
Stephen Hawking smiling. Source: lwpkommunikacio Flickr
“The NHS is Britain’s finest public service and the cornerstone of our society. The NHS brings out the best in us. We cannot lose it.”
My most vivid memory of Professor Hawking is from playing clarinet in a College Orchestra concert during my first term. I had been tasked with performing the solo from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ piece The Lark Ascending, but had not quite expected Stephen Hawking to be sitting directly opposite me. My nerves combined with a lazy embouchure and resulted in a largely squeaked segment, which seemed to last an eternity. I looked at Professor Hawking but could not deduce his thoughts as I massacred a classic English piece in my first (and last) performance.
“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny”
Rest in Peace, Professor Stephen Hawking
What a brilliant man who's contributions to science are monumental. This is a great honor you had to meet the man himself and study so close. I'm always so impressed by all the Steemians I see. I wish my voting power was heavier because I would give it a fat vote for the cause, too.
Hi! I am a robot. I just upvoted you! I found similar content that readers might be interested in:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/playing-the-clarinet-for-stephen-hawking_uk_5aa96dc6e4b078f94f344f88
Thanks Mr Bot - that's my own article in the Huff Post (for anyone reading this).
Why do you bother with huffpo?
Because I can get articles posted and read there quickly and conveniently, then share them. Especially if I want something to be published quickly like my tribute to Prof Hawking. I sent it to them, they read it, put it on and promoted it within a few hours even though I'm not a regular contributor. If there's another site like that then please do let me know, I'm from the UK though.
I think the community-orientated anarcho-capitalist principles of Steemit has a lot of potential, but it is not intrinsically meritocratic right at the beginning - one needs time and patience to get any attention or build up a following. There's little more humiliating (if you enjoy writing) than putting your heart and soul into an article, trying to promote it using the usual routes and then getting 1 view....
Then someone who is an early adopter can write simply "I like broth" (I'm paraphrasing) and get tens of thousands of views and upvotes. I'm pretty sure someone who's won a Pulitzer can anonymously come here and write dozens of insightful multi-layered articles and get ignored completely if they don't know the intricacies of how the place functions.
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