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SCMP Editorial

A brilliant star in cosmology has fallen. The life of Stephen Hawking, the most popular scientist of our times, shone bright before finally burning out. The quadriplegic genius may have been confined to a wheelchair for most of his life, but he inspired films, television series and pop songs for generations. His legacy on mankind’s quest for the origin of the world is as big as the universe.
What set the accomplished British physicist apart from his peers is perhaps his ability to turn adversity into success.
It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love
Stephen Hawking
At the age of 22, the Cambridge University doctoral student was diagnosed with a rare form of neurone disease and was given just a few years to live.
While he became paralysed and only spoke through a voice synthesiser, he defied medical assessment and lived until yesterday, when he died at his home in Cambridge, aged 76.
His theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics is pioneering, and his discovery that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing is groundbreaking.
Stephen Hawking in pop culture: from The Simpsons to Pink Floyd
His analyses of time and black holes may not be readily comprehensible to many people. His bestseller, A Brief History of Time, sold 10 million copies in 40 languages, but is often referred to as “one of the most unread books of all time” because of its hard-to-grasp concepts. He nonetheless attracted wide attention with his remarks, many of which were highly contentious. He did not rule out the existence of aliens, and warned of the need to abandon Earth within 600 years before it became inhabitable.


Hawking was just as big in this part of the world. He visited Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and went to the mainland three times. With some 4.3 million followers on his Chinese social media account, he was one of the most popular foreign scientists in China. Convinced that artificial intelligence would surpass that of humans one day, he openly challenged people to ponder the implications of the nation’s fast-growing AI industry.
How Stephen Hawking reached cult status in China
The scientist may have spent his lifetime unlocking the secrets of the universe, but he said “it would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love”. With his revolutionary theories and monumental will to achieve despite adversities, he shall prove to be an immortal in modern history.


Stephen Hawking, Serena Williams, Queen Elizabeth ... and more Hong Kong star visitors

Inside Stephen Hawking’s controversial past: the late Cambridge physicist was named on Jeffrey Epstein’s list alongside Donald Trump – but he’s not been accused of any crime

Hong Kong researchers discover mechanism that may provide ‘new angle’ in developing treatments for ALS

Chinese scientists use quantum computing to simulate black hole

Stephen Hawking

Genius of our time unlocked secrets of the universe

British renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, pictured here at a press conference on top of One World Trade Centre in New York, has died on in the early morning of March 14, 2018 at the age of 76. Photo: EPA-EFE

Professor Stephen Hawking, scientist and cultural icon, dead at 76

Stephen Hawking was Britain’s most famous modern day scientist, a genius who dedicated his life to unlocking the secrets of the Universe

(FILES) This file picture taken on June 13, 2006 shows British theoretical physicist and mathematician Stephen Hawking attending a press conference and tree planting ceremony at the Hong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) accompanied by Paul Ching-wu Chu president of the HKUST in Hong Kong. Renowned cosmologist Stephen Hawking entered the universe of Chinese social media with a big bang on April 12, 2016, with his first post to the country's Twitter-like Weibo service garnering him more than a million followers the same day. / AFP PHOTO / MIKE CLARKE

FILE PHOTO: Stephen Hawking and his new bride Elaine Mason pose for pictures after the blessing of their wedding at St. Barnabus Church September 16, 1995. REUTERS/Russell Boyce/File Photo

Chinese youth listen to Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking speak at an international gathering of scientists on the origins of the universe at Beijing's Great Hall of the People Monday, June 19, 2006. Hawking was in Beijing to attend the "Strings 2006" conference on the riddle of string theory which, if solved, could help unlock the mysteries of black holes and the creation of the universe. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

FILE PHOTO: Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets British professor Stephen Hawking during a meeting of science academics at the Vatican October 31, 2008. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano/File Photo

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 26, 2007 and released by Zero G, British cosmologist Stephen Hawking experiences zero gravity during a flight over the Atlantic Ocean. "It was amazing ... I could have gone on and on," Hawking, 65, said after riding for two hours on a modified jet that flew a rollercoaster trajectory to create the impression of microgravity. Renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking has died at age 76, a family spokesman said Wednesday, March 14, 2018. We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today," professor Hawking's children, Lucy, Robert, and Tim said in a statement carried by Britain's Press Association news agency. "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years." / AFP PHOTO / ZERO G / ZERO G

British scientist and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has reportedly died at the age of 76. Photo: Edward Wong

Opinion

Comment

With his revolutionary theories and monumental will to achieve despite adversities, Stephen Hawking shall prove to be an immortal in modern history


Obituaries