Discussion:
R.I.P. Steven Hawking
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The Old Man
2018-03-14 14:29:53 UTC
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Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?

Alternative WI: He dies "on schedule". Again what does Physics look like that in that second timeline?

Regards,
John Braungart
pyotr filipivich
2018-03-14 14:38:48 UTC
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Post by The Old Man
Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?
A whole lot less interesting.

One of the "knock on's" from his diagnosis, was his decision to
focus on theoretical physics. The sort you can do without having to
move your body.
Post by The Old Man
Alternative WI: He dies "on schedule". Again what does Physics look like that in that second timeline?
--
pyotr filipivich.
For Sale: Uncirculated Roman Drachmas, feature Julius Ceaser's Portrait,
several dated 44 BCE. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity.
Dimensional Traveler
2018-03-14 16:59:18 UTC
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Post by pyotr filipivich
Post by The Old Man
Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?
A whole lot less interesting.
One of the "knock on's" from his diagnosis, was his decision to
focus on theoretical physics. The sort you can do without having to
move your body.
His condition lasting as long as it did also has some knock-on effects
in medical technology. His life support chair was the focus of a lot of
R&D. Some in keeping him alive, some in interfacing him with the world,
probably some other stuff that's not coming to mind ATM.
--
Inquiring minds want to know while minds with a self-preservation
instinct are running screaming.
pyotr filipivich
2018-03-14 23:15:46 UTC
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Post by Dimensional Traveler
Post by pyotr filipivich
Post by The Old Man
Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?
A whole lot less interesting.
One of the "knock on's" from his diagnosis, was his decision to
focus on theoretical physics. The sort you can do without having to
move your body.
His condition lasting as long as it did also has some knock-on effects
in medical technology. His life support chair was the focus of a lot of
R&D. Some in keeping him alive, some in interfacing him with the world,
probably some other stuff that's not coming to mind ATM.
Other possibility - Steven Hawkings made all that modern medical
technology more "accessible". Sort of "we built It for (pause for
emphasis) Steven Hawkings. And we can provide the same thing to
lesser mortals." (Similar to how, as I understand it, the drive
behind the development of modern prosthetics over the last twenty
years - you have a large population of motivated, "healthy",
individuals to work with.)
--
pyotr filipivich.
For Sale: Uncirculated Roman Drachmas, feature Julius Ceaser's Portrait,
several dated 44 BCE. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity.
jerry kraus
2018-03-14 17:58:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Old Man
Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post by The Old Man
Alternative WI: He dies "on schedule". Again what does Physics look like that in that second timeline?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could it possibly look any worse, or more ridiculous? Bear in mind, in 1963, physicists were still worshiped as demigods by the average citizen. Now, most people just think they're very funny indeed. And, very useless.
Post by The Old Man
Regards,
John Braungart
WolfBear
2018-03-15 04:19:01 UTC
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May he RIP. :(
t***@gmail.com
2018-03-17 13:19:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Old Man
Today, ironically on Pi Day (3.14), physicist Steven Hawking passed on after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for over 55 years (and given two years at most to survive).
My WI: Hawking never contracts the disorder and lives the ensuing 55 years as healthily as any of us. What does Physics look like that in that timeline?
Alternative WI: He dies "on schedule". Again what does Physics look like that in that second timeline?
Regards,
John Braungart
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