March 14, to some known as PI day because of the famous mathematical symbol and its abbreviated numarical value of 3.14, this year saw the passing of Stephen Hawking. Hawking, a renowned theoretical physicist, was hailed as the smartest man in modern science by many throughout the world. His ground breaking research and theories helped to prove the existence of black holes.
Hawking’s untimely death at the age of 76, also falls on the birthday of another brilliant scientist, Albert Einstein.
Both men helped to pull science and the understanding of the universe forward during their respective eras. They were unafraid to stand up to accepted ideas and challenge the “norm” in order to prove that there were other possibilities and ways of doing things.
Hawking overcame personal physical challenges at an early age when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs Disease. Few actually know that the computerized chair Hawking famously rode in was actually designed by Hawking himself, when he realized the challenges that he faced.
We applaud Hawking and Einstein for their achievements in the scientific world, but more so for their determination to move society forward. Far too often the world and modern society can seem to get bogged down in the ways of backward thinking, and it takes great men with great minds to improve situations. To shine new light into an otherwise dark environment.
We wonder though, who will be the next great mind in the world of science? What new discoveries will they make and what new light will they shine upon our society as a whole? And perhaps most importantly, will we be ready to face them?
