Stephen Hawking "Very Ill"

**Iron Juggernaut** · April 20, 2009, 03:34 PM

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2345574,00.asp

Noted physicist Stephen Hawking has been described as "very ill" and has been hospitalized, according to reports.

The report was confirmed to the BBC by Cambridge University, which employs Hawking as its Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

Hawking, 67, has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, often fatal after a few years. Hawking has survived for more than 40 years with the disease, CNN reported.
A Cambridge University spokesman said that Hawking had "been unwell for a couple of weeks," according to the BBC.

An iconic scientist both for his intellect and his ability to coexist with a debilitating disease, Hawking entered the popular consciousness with his 1988 book, A Brief History of Time.

That is not good, not good at all. Sadly, I think he's dying. A man who stays alive a year with the disease is amazing, a man who stays alive for fourty years is nothing short of indescribably miraculous. A great mind may very well disappear before the week is out. I hope I'm wrong, though. Then again, if he's survived for this long, there's still a chance he might be able to beat it... but I don't know. I honestly don't know.

This was a bummer on my day.

**C-Rob** · April 20, 2009, 03:52 PM

great... I wake up, it's 4/20, and now this!? Hi, Buzzkillington.

it would be very sad, indeed. But just how many dignitaries would attend the funeral? many.

**Flogger** · April 20, 2009, 04:03 PM

The saddest thing is his death (whenever it comes) will not even get half the media coverage enjoyed by Jade Goody.

**C-Rob** · April 20, 2009, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Flogger

The saddest thing is his death (whenever it comes) will not even get half the media coverage enjoyed by Jade Goody.

Hopefully not. Someone who gives nothing to humanity during their life time deserve no one mourning their death.

**cupoftea** · April 21, 2009, 10:12 AM

That's sad

, he has done so much for science, i hope he gets a statue if he doesn't has one allready.

**Каие** · April 21, 2009, 12:16 PM

Why has he not been knighted, when Mugabe has?

**Ketchup** · April 21, 2009, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Яome kb8

Why has he not been knighted, when Mugabe has?

'Honour's Scandals', anyone?!

That's being cynical but realistically I'm not sure. He certainly should have been....

**TWoxy** · April 21, 2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Яome kb8

Why has he not been knighted, when Mugabe has?

He turned it down:

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/22...-hawking-turns

**Hookah Smoking Caterpiller** · April 21, 2009, 01:39 PM

Channel 4 news said he'd make a full recovery.

If you want a source find it yourself.

**Copperknickers II** · April 21, 2009, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Modern Life is Rubbish

Channel 4 news said he'd make a full recovery.

A full recovery? I wasn't aware that it was the second coming already.

He is 67, not bad for someone with a Motor Neuron disease.

**Godfrey I of Leuven** · April 21, 2009, 01:42 PM

This is indeed sad news

**Arto** · April 21, 2009, 03:45 PM

HOLY CRAP! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh wait, that isn't Stephen King. Phù, and I thought my favorite writer was very ill.

About that Hawking guy... wasn't he already ill?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Axeman** · April 23, 2009, 12:25 AM

Too bad, one of the most influential scientists of our time.

I wish him a full recovery.

**Keravnos** · April 23, 2009, 12:37 AM

Best wishes to one of the greatest men of our time. I do hope he makes a recovery. His whole life and career has been against all odds. Next time any of us, the general public, thinks that something is impossible, think of Hawkins and his life.

Then again, think of what would Hawkins fate had been had "Eugenics" prevailed...
I bet that according to some people's view, Hawkins wouldn't deserve to live.

**Gromovnik** · April 23, 2009, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by Keravnos

Best wishes to one of the greatest men of our time. I do hope he makes a recovery. His whole life and career has been against all odds. Next time any of us, the general public thinks that something is impossible, think of Hawkins and his life.

Then again, think of what would Hawkins fate had been had "Eugenics" prevailed...
I bet that according to some people's view, Hawkins wouldn't deserve to live.

OMG! Nazis are bad!
But seriously, I hope prof. Hawking will recover soon.

**IndianPrince** · April 25, 2009, 05:59 PM

I wish him a speedy recovery. Should be considered one of the greatest titans of our time. Purely a complete scholar and an intellectual giant.

Prince