Stephen Hawking

[WubbleUC 0]

What does a person have to do to get a knighthood these days? Surely old Hawking must be in contention, no?

 

Be a bit dodgy that like.

 

With all that circuitry around, a sword on the shoulder might short him out.

[Happy Face 29]

Isn't he American?

 

He's got the accent.

 

 

[Happy Face 29]

Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago.

The Birthday Honours List 2008, released to coincide with the Queen's official birthday, once again contained nothing for Hawking, which has been puzzling some observers for many years.

 

However, the scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood over a decade ago but refused it on principle.

 

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," a spokesman told The Times.

 

Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding.

 

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

 

The merger was badly managed, he says, leaving an £80m hole in the new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) accounts.

 

"This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups, " he said at the time.

 

"These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage to British science and our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing."

 

Professor Hawking maintained that these errors threatened the position of Britain in the scientific world and could harm research long into the future.

 

The STFC is already considering closing the famous Jodrell Bank observatory and sacking 600 scientists to help make up the shortfall.

 

However, Science Minister Ian Pearson insisted that Professor Hawking's conclusions were not correct.

 

"There was no deficit at the time of the merger, nor were there arithmetical errors," he said. "I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority."

 

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/78853,stephe...knighthood.aspx

[WubbleUC 0]

Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago.

The Birthday Honours List 2008, released to coincide with the Queen's official birthday, once again contained nothing for Hawking, which has been puzzling some observers for many years.

 

However, the scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood over a decade ago but refused it on principle.

 

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," a spokesman told The Times.

 

Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding.

 

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

 

The merger was badly managed, he says, leaving an £80m hole in the new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) accounts.

 

"This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups, " he said at the time.

 

"These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage to British science and our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing."

 

Professor Hawking maintained that these errors threatened the position of Britain in the scientific world and could harm research long into the future.

 

The STFC is already considering closing the famous Jodrell Bank observatory and sacking 600 scientists to help make up the shortfall.

 

However, Science Minister Ian Pearson insisted that Professor Hawking's conclusions were not correct.

 

"There was no deficit at the time of the merger, nor were there arithmetical errors," he said. "I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority."

 

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/78853,stephe...knighthood.aspx

 

Am I the only one who read that how he speaks?

[Fop 1]

"Professor Hawking does not like titles.

 

[Renton 22689]

Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago.

The Birthday Honours List 2008, released to coincide with the Queen's official birthday, once again contained nothing for Hawking, which has been puzzling some observers for many years.

 

However, the scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood over a decade ago but refused it on principle.

 

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," a spokesman told The Times.

 

Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding.

 

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

 

The merger was badly managed, he says, leaving an £80m hole in the new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) accounts.

 

"This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups, " he said at the time.

 

"These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage to British science and our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing."

 

Professor Hawking maintained that these errors threatened the position of Britain in the scientific world and could harm research long into the future.

 

The STFC is already considering closing the famous Jodrell Bank observatory and sacking 600 scientists to help make up the shortfall.

 

However, Science Minister Ian Pearson insisted that Professor Hawking's conclusions were not correct.

 

"There was no deficit at the time of the merger, nor were there arithmetical errors," he said. "I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority."

 

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/78853,stephe...knighthood.aspx

 

Good on him, I like him all the more now. It's be good to see a list of people who have turned down thw Queen's honours because it would severely embarrass the monarchy I think.

[Happy Face 29]

Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago.

The Birthday Honours List 2008, released to coincide with the Queen's official birthday, once again contained nothing for Hawking, which has been puzzling some observers for many years.

 

However, the scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood over a decade ago but refused it on principle.

 

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," a spokesman told The Times.

 

Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding.

 

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

 

The merger was badly managed, he says, leaving an £80m hole in the new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) accounts.

 

"This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups, " he said at the time.

 

"These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage to British science and our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing."

 

Professor Hawking maintained that these errors threatened the position of Britain in the scientific world and could harm research long into the future.

 

The STFC is already considering closing the famous Jodrell Bank observatory and sacking 600 scientists to help make up the shortfall.

 

However, Science Minister Ian Pearson insisted that Professor Hawking's conclusions were not correct.

 

"There was no deficit at the time of the merger, nor were there arithmetical errors," he said. "I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority."

 

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/78853,stephe...knighthood.aspx

 

Good on him, I like him all the more now. It's be good to see a list of people who have turned down thw Queen's honours because it would severely embarrass the monarchy I think.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_peopl..._British_honour

[Renton 22689]

"Professor Hawking does not like titles.

 

 

I just knew you would post that Fop. I most emphatically don't want another argument with you, especially in this thread, but I assume you can see a difference in achieving a professorship in your career and receiving a completely arbritrary 'honour' from the ruling monarch?

 

No more word salad please Fop btw, don't feel compelled to answer, but if you do yes or no will do.

[Renton 22689]

Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago.

The Birthday Honours List 2008, released to coincide with the Queen's official birthday, once again contained nothing for Hawking, which has been puzzling some observers for many years.

 

However, the scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood over a decade ago but refused it on principle.

 

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," a spokesman told The Times.

 

Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding.

 

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

 

The merger was badly managed, he says, leaving an £80m hole in the new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) accounts.

 

"This bookkeeping error has disastrous implications. There is a possibility that very severe cuts will be made in the grants awarded to UK research groups, " he said at the time.

 

"These grants are the lifeblood of our research effort; cutting them will hurt young researchers and cause enormous damage to British science and our international reputation. They could well lead to several physics departments closing."

 

Professor Hawking maintained that these errors threatened the position of Britain in the scientific world and could harm research long into the future.

 

The STFC is already considering closing the famous Jodrell Bank observatory and sacking 600 scientists to help make up the shortfall.

 

However, Science Minister Ian Pearson insisted that Professor Hawking's conclusions were not correct.

 

"There was no deficit at the time of the merger, nor were there arithmetical errors," he said. "I can quite understand how those whose work is not funded may well question those who gave it a lower priority."

 

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/78853,stephe...knighthood.aspx

 

Good on him, I like him all the more now. It's be good to see a list of people who have turned down thw Queen's honours because it would severely embarrass the monarchy I think.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_peopl..._British_honour

 

Thanks.

[Happy Face 29]

The best one was John Lennon. He wrote the queen a letter....

 

"Your Majesty,

 

I am returning this in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts.

 

With love.

 

John Lennon of Bag."

 

[Jimbo 175]

 

immortalised tbh

[NJS 4457]

If all those people turned down honours for the right reason (contempt for the notion) then I admire them greatly - including those who I despise for other reasons.

[Fop 1]

"Professor Hawking does not like titles.

 

 

I just knew you would post that Fop. I most emphatically don't want another argument with you, especially in this thread, but I assume you can see a difference in achieving a professorship in your career and receiving a completely arbritrary 'honour' from the ruling monarch?

 

No more word salad please Fop btw, don't feel compelled to answer, but if you do yes or no will do.

 

You are a parody of yourself Rention, you really are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8008767.stm

 

Great mind. Frankly amazing he has lived for as long as he has.

 

I read his biography and he wasn't expected to live long enough to complete his PhD when he was diagnosed. Most people would fall apart at that stage but he has always remained driven and used his abilities to their maximum, to his enormous credit. Mind, some of the physicists I know don't 'rate' him and claim he has used his disability as a sympathy vote to further his career. Sounds like massively sour grapes to me like.

:icon_lol:

 

would probably be a better option anyway (one Alex seems to be studiously avoiding though. ).

[Fop 1]

Although if this were true he would have surely turned down the Chair on principle?

In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them

[Renton 22689]

I've no idea what you're talking about Fop in either bit of that post. I was merely pointing out there was no contradiction in the text you highlighted (and how predicatable it was for you not to see this), and you've yet again confirmed you can't answer a straight forward yes or no question. Well done. Anyway, enough, I'm not going down the loony conversation route with you again, not today anyway.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Renton

[Renton 22689]

Although if this were true he would have surely turned down the Chair on principle?

In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them

 

You really can't see the difference? Wow.

[Fop 1]

I've no idea what you're talking about Fop in either bit of that post. I was merely pointing out there was no contradiction in the text you highlighted (and how predicatable it was for you not to see this), and you've yet again confirmed you can't answer a straight forward yes or no question. Well done. Anyway, enough, I'm not going down the loony conversation route with you again, not today anyway.

 

Renty.

[Fop 1]

Although if this were true he would have surely turned down the Chair on principle?

In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them

 

You really can't see the difference? Wow.

 

Surely he'd have said he dislikes the concept of "honours" not "titles"?

[Renton 22689]

Although if this were true he would have surely turned down the Chair on principle?

In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them

 

You really can't see the difference? Wow.

 

Surely he'd have said he dislikes the concept of "honours" not "titles"?

 

Or it has been badly reported. In any case it was clear what was meant. Have you invested in a new pedantometer?

 

I bet he's still Stephen to his mates anyway.

[Fop 1]

Although if this were true he would have surely turned down the Chair on principle?

In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them

 

You really can't see the difference? Wow.

 

Surely he'd have said he dislikes the concept of "honours" not "titles"?

 

Or it has been badly reported. In any case it was clear what was meant. Have you invested in a new pedantometer?

 

I bet he's still Stephen to his mates anyway.

Pedantism here? Surely not?

[Fop 1]

Actually Renty, just to be perfectly clear on the issue; can we get a definitive statement of your views on pedantry and more specifically pedantry on Toontastic?

 

 

That should be quite interesting.

[Fop 1]

Hawking 'to make full recovery'

Prof Hawking has cancelled an appearance in the US

 

Scientist Stephen Hawking is expected to make a full recovery after being taken to hospital with chest problems, Cambridge University has said.

 

The 67-year-old professor, who has motor neurone disease, is "comfortable" at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, his employers said.

 

He was described as "very ill" when he was admitted to the hospital on Monday with a suspected respiratory infection.

 

The author of A Brief History of Time has been unwell for weeks.

 

A Cambridge University spokesman said: "Professor Hawking is being kept in for observation at Addenbrooke's Hospital... he is comfortable and his family is looking forward to him making a full recovery."

 

The physicist, who uses a wheelchair and speaks using a voice synthesiser, has worked at Cambridge University for more than 30 years.

 

Curtailed US trip

 

He had flown at the end of February to the California Institute of Technology where he is a visiting scholar.

 

But he called off an appearance at Arizona State University on 6 April because of his illness and flew back to the UK last Saturday.

 

Prof Hawking developed symptoms of motor neurone disease while studying in the 1960s and is one of the world's longest-surviving sufferers.

 

The scientist has three children and one grandchild. He became a CBE in 1982 and a Companion of Honour in 1989.

 

Last year, it was announced he would be stepping down as the university's Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the end of this academic year.

 

It is policy for holders of the title to retire at 67, but Prof Hawking said he intended to continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8010058.stm

 

Which is good to hear anyway.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Fop

[manc-mag 1]

Actually Renty, just to be perfectly clear on the issue; can we get a definitive statement of your views on pedantry and more specifically pedantry on Toontastic?

 

 

That should be quite interesting.

 

 

 

[Guest alex]

Great to see Fop quoting himself hoping for a chomp from me btw.

[Fop 1]

Actually Renty, just to be perfectly clear on the issue; can we get a definitive statement of your views on pedantry and more specifically pedantry on Toontastic?

 

 

That should be quite interesting.

 

 

 

 

Your definitive statement of your views on pedantry and more specifically pedantry on Toontastic is quite welcome too.