Forget Princess – I want to be an astrophysicist

With news that renowned astrophysicist Dr. Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76, my niece paid the highest tribute anyone can, she is inspiring her daughter Darcy (9 months) to be an astrophysicist!

Dr. Hawking’s theory and work have shaped the current education in physics and cosmology. He was an advocate for science, believing that all people should have access to a higher education in the sciences. In a world that is so full of preconceived judgements, it is an important and beautiful thing for one of our most influential people to only see people for their mind. This gives me hope for the world my daughter will grow up in.” – Breanna Allen

 At the age of 21, Dr. Hawking was diagnosed with early-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was only given a few years to live. Dr. Hawking went on to defy the odds in any number of areas. He stated:

My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”

Now that is a stretch goal!

Dr. Hawking work with black holes and relativity was simply brilliant. He was a master at explaining it all in ways that the rest of our humble brains could grasp and admire. He had a sharp wit and knack for life as well. Here are a few of his quotes:

Life

I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.

While there’s life, there is hope.

People won't have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.

Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.

Discovery

Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.

If human life were long enough to find the ultimate theory, everything would have been solved by previous generations. Nothing would be left to be discovered.

We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.

Knowledge / Intelligence

The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.

To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.

Love

If you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away.

It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.

Human Race

We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.

Although September 11 was horrible, it didn't threaten the survival of the human race, like nuclear weapons do.

There are grounds for cautious optimism that we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature.

Not only does God play dice, but... he sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen.

Most sets of values would give rise to universes that, although they might be very beautiful, would contain no one able to wonder at that beauty.

People

People won't have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.

I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.

I have no idea. People who boast about their IQ are losers.

Women. They are a complete mystery.

I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was able to reason.

In 2014, Dr. Hawking told NASA Space Station astronauts "May you keep flying like superman in microgravity." With his passing, it feels like there’s a big (black) hole in the world. Dr. Hawking, thank you . . . May you keep flying like superman in microgravity!

Now one of his final quote for Darcy as she embarks on her quest to become an astrophysicist,

Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.