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Letters From The Time Traveler: 4 Ways Stephen Hawking Correctly Predicted The Future
Dearest,
Some of the best minds are not time travelers. Nor are they psychic or mind-readers.
In my travels, I have come across so many interesting visionaries. Stephen Hawking was one of them.
Stephen William Hawking CH CBE FRS FRSA (8 January 1942–14 March 2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who, at the time of his death, was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge.[7][17][18] Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.[19]
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall at the University of Cambridge where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him.[20][21] After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.[22]
I had the prestigious honor of meeting him in 1962 in Cambridge. Stephen always had a big smile on his face, was a quick learner, and loved discussing theories. He also had an obsession with the future.
At Cambridge, I had a brief stint as an adjunct professor. I found 20-year-old Stephen’s ideas fascinating. I always knew he was going to do well. I just didn’t know how his ideas would affect my life.
Then in 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease…
