Stephen Hawking seriously ill

[davieddy]

More of a place/time dropping exercise.

I mentioned your name, tacitly expecting that you would
have met Hawking more than most.

David

[only_human]

I wonder how Stephan Hawking is doing. Last I could tell from the web was around the April 24th was he was recovering from the immediate cause of his hospitalization.

My aunt (my father's sister) Ruth, died of ALS in 1985. Her son Peter has been active in ALS concerns: http://www.cini.org/home.html

Peter Strugatz is the Co-Founder and President of CINI. He is President of Strugatz Ventures, Inc., a private equity investment firm. Ruth Strugatz, Mr. Strugatz' mother, died of ALS in 1985. During her long illness, she and family did not know of the benefits of augmentative communication devices, and he witnessed the devastation of the disease multiplied by the loss of communication. Later, when Mr. Strugatz discovered the tremendous power of these technologies, he began the long commitment to finding ways to take this tremendous asset "out of the closet". When he determined that the traditional organizations servicing these populations did not have the human, financial, and professional resources to take on this mission, he decided, with Marta Kazandjian, to found CINI.

I've never maintained contact with my cousins but feel good knowing they are doing things like this. His brother wrote "Married to the mob" and the screenplay for "She-Devil"

[only_human]

The meager information online about Stephen Hawking's recent hospitalization mentions this:
Hawking 'making a good recovery'
Cambridge Evening News - ‎May 7, 2009‎

His daughter exclusively told Cambridge News Online the professor was making a good recovery and had been delighted by the many messages of support and cards he had received.

Last month, Prof Hawking was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital for tests after he was struck by a respiratory infection.

Lucy Hawking said: "My father is recovering from his recent illness and would like to thank everyone who sent him get-well messages and cards over the recent weeks.

A new book written by Stephen Hawking and daughter, Lucy Hawking, is released today:
http://www.google.com/search?q=ISBN%3A+1416985840
George's Secret Key to the Universe
Paperback, 336 pages
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
May 19, 2009
http://www.borders.com/online/store/...sku=1416985840

Stephen Hawking, author of the multi-million copy bestselling "A Brief History of Time," and his daughter Lucy explain the universe to readers of all ages. George's parents, who have always been wary of technology, warn him about their new neighbors: Eric is a scientist and his daughter, Annie, seems to be following in his footsteps. But when George befriends them and Cosmos, their super-computer, he finds himself on a wildly fun adventure, while learning about physics, time, and the universe. With Cosmos's help, he can travel to other planets and a black hole. But what would happen if the wrong people got their hands on Cosmos? George, Annie, and Eric aren't about to find out, and what ensues is a funny adventure that clearly explains the mysteries of science. Garry Parsons' energetic illustrations add humor and interest, and his scientific drawings add clarity; there are also eight 4-page full-color inserts of scientific photos.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by davieddy

THX for that anecdote.
When I was doing "Part III" at Cambridge (71-2) I saw him and his
wheelchair being lifted up the stairs to "DAMTP" most days.
(Disabled access wasn't a big issue then)

Actually, it sounds like disabled access *was* a very big issue back then ... one hopes that is no longer the case.

[Uncwilly]

Also, wasn't he required to walk across the stage to receive his degree?

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

Also, wasn't he required to walk across the stage to receive his degree?

Reminds me of that one about the Spastic who won the disco
dancing competition: "He/She was just walking onto the dancefloor".

[only_human]

Information on Stephen Hawking is sparse and some of the recently published items are those strange burbles of past information that occasionally spring up online resembling current events -- but I have gathered a bit together (for what it's worth).

http://www.hawking.org.uk/index.php/...newsandarchive

Cambridge, UK, 30th September

Stephen stepped down from the Lucasian chair after a historic 30 years. He will continue working at the University of Cambridge as Director of Research at DAMTP. He celebrated the occasion with a champagne reception at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology common room.

January TV series premiere schedule, Winter TCA's UPDATE By April MacIntyre Jan 5, 2010

The Winter Television Critics' Association press tour begins this week, and M&C will be there with all our favorite TV writers and friends meeting, greeting and listening to panels of talent, showrunners and network honchos, getting the scoop on what's to come

Also on January 14, HBO will present their upcoming slate. Coming to the network in February 2010 is "Temple Grandin," a brilliant and inspiring movie starring Claire Danes and Julia Ormand.

The tour is a twice-yearly event, and some of the highlights we are most excited about include meeting Dr. Stephen Hawking at the Discovery network panel (Jan. 14) that introduces his new series, "Stephen Hawking's Universe" set to air April 10, 2010.

Stephen Hawking To Take Us Into the Universe

Just announced this week, we’re talking about a four-part series helmed by - well, seriously: Stephen. Hawking. The network’s promising a heaping helping of NASA footage and mind-bending talk on everything from the birth of galaxies to whether there might be life on other worlds - and you know the visual effects department isn’t going to be skimping on the budget here.

Questions for an interview for BBC Television concerning disability

Does being disabled make a difference to the way you are treated as a brilliant person?

Being disabled, or physically challenged, makes no difference to how my scientific colleagues treat me apart from practical matters like waiting while I write what I want to say.

When did you first become interested in Physics and why?

I was always interested in science and how things worked. From about the age of 15 I concentrated on physics because I felt it was the most fundamental of the sciences.

Would you say being an astrophysicist is a good job for a disabled person?

It would be difficult for someone that is disabled to be an observational astronomer. But it would be easy for them to be an astrophysicist, because that is all in the mind. No physical ability is required.

Can the study of Physics take you beyond physical limitations?

Of course Physics can take one beyond ones limitations, like any other mental activity. The human race is so puny compared to the universe that being disabled is not of much cosmic significance.

Wouldn't you rather have been a bus driver or something?

I never wanted to be a bus driver but I did fancy being prime minister. However, I'm glad I left the job for Tony. I prefer physics to shaking hands and I feel my work may last rather better than his.

What would your advice be to another disabled person wanting to be a physicist?

I can recommend Theoretical Physics as a career for a disabled person. Of course, they would have to be interested in physics and fairly good at it.

ALS and disabilities have been on my mind a bit recently. My best friend recently mentioned that his brother-in-law has ALS.

My aunt died of ALS after a protracted illness. Her condition ended up setting an agenda for her son (from earlier in this thread):

During her long illness, she and family did not know of the benefits of augmentative communication devices, and he witnessed the devastation of the disease multiplied by the loss of communication. Later, when Mr. Strugatz discovered the tremendous power of these technologies, he began the long commitment to finding ways to take this tremendous asset "out of the closet"

I have strong but inchoate feelings about various disabilities and illnesses. My personal experience studying a bit American Sign Language from good teachers at El Camino College, Torrance, California, is that being deaf is more limiting because of how other people react than the actual restrictions themselves. There is something sickening about watching someone make exaggerated mouth or hand movements when communicating with a deaf person. Normal interaction is much pleasant all around. It is very easy to forget that different modes of communication are being used when engaged in conversation. My first teacher, Ed, used to travel around acting on stage in "Children of a lesser god." He has a million stories, some of them quite hilarious. One time he utilized Sir Lawrence Olivier as an usher (I assume at the 1981 Laurence Olivier Award for Best new Play). My next teacher, Barbie, was fun and dynamic too and not held back in anyway I could see.

I met Marlee Matlin at Deaf West Theater during the play "Of Mice and Men." I engaged her in conversation about the play we saw while standing in a restroom queue during intermission. I was completely oblivious as to who she was and was merely trying out my rudimentary ASL skills in public.

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by only_human

I met Marlee Matlin at Deaf West Theater during the play "Of Mice and Men." I engaged her in conversation about the play we saw while standing in a restroom queue during intermission. I was completely oblivious as to who she was and was merely trying out my rudimentary ASL skills in public.

For those that don't know who Temple Grandin is, I would highly encourage you to listen to this: http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-mo...make-us-human/ she has found her place in society. I am thrilled to hear that she will get greater exposure.

I have briefly met Ms. Matlin and followed her career and read several interviews. She seems to be quite a nice lady.

[only_human]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

For those that don't know who Temple Grandin is, I would highly encourage you to listen to this: http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-mo...make-us-human/ she has found her place in society. I am thrilled to hear that she will get greater exposure.

This is very directly and personally interesting to me for several reasons, some of which are beyond easy enumerating at the moment. A couple of brief comments. Cats are a core part of my household. We have four cats raised together for 11 years as a unit. They are unusually interactive with us. They help keep us sane; both my girlfriend and I have had hard times and have physical and emotional problems. The cats are extremely soothing and make for a much better household social dynamic and keep us from driving feedback escalation of problems turned upon each other. One of our cats used to fetch toys back for us to throw. Another used to pile toys at the bedroom door and cry to get us to come out and play.

Another thing I found interesting is the discussion of mental sensory organization. I have never been able to visualize objects. At all. I thought much of that was poetic fiction when I was younger. Closing eyes and visualizing exercises have always been boring back-of-the-eyelid experiences for me. Here is someone who describes the situation well:
I can't see
anything
when I close
my eyes

I can't see anything when I close my eyes. Apparently, other people can. I didn't realize that I was weird in this respect until I was 29.

Imagine a red square. Can you see it? I can't. I know intellectually what a red square is made of, but I can't see it unless one is in front of me.

I'm really interested to hear what other people's visualization skills are like; apparently there's a whole range (for instance, more people fail the red square test than I thought would). It seems like it's something people don't often think about. Some people are really freaked out by my condition; others find it more understandable. [...]

I would say that his ability to dream in pictures might be beyond me. I have had a few experiences with seeing images but they were sleep deprivation hallucinations and a brief flash of an image while showering with my eyes closed once when I was younger. I am not sure how I organize my thinking but am certain that it doesn't involve tempo or rhythm either.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by only_human

Cats are a core part of my household. We have four cats raised together for 11 years as a unit
...

Another thing I found interesting is the discussion of mental sensory organization. I have never been able to visualize objects.

I have four cats too. As a consequence I've become moderately successful at herding cats, despite the popular perception that the practice is impossible.

I've also found that it is straightforward to train cats to do anything they want. By that I mean that they have to perceive a benefit other than pleasing their trainer. Dogs can be taught to do all sorts of meaningless activities.

For instance, cats don't like having cold wet feet. Consequently, it's relatively easy to train them to ask us to dry their feet for them. In fact, we have a doormat just inside of the catflap and they tend to dry their own feet...

Another example: cats like feeding, attention and grooming. Humans don't like demands but don't mind requests. By and large our cats ask us politely, either verbally or by acceptable gestures such as tapping us on elbow if we're seated or rubbing against our legs if we're standing.


FWIW, I also have great difficulty visualizing objects. I've no idea whether this is in any way related to my relationships with cats.


Paul

[only_human]

Originally Posted by xilman

I've also found that it is straightforward to train cats to do anything they want. By that I mean that they have to perceive a benefit other than pleasing their trainer. Dogs can be taught to do all sorts of meaningless activities.

That does seem to be the fundamental difference

By and large our cats ask us politely, either verbally or by acceptable gestures such as tapping us on elbow if we're seated or rubbing against our legs if we're standing.

I respond well to similarly proffered requests.

The cats do watch each others' actions and learn what works best with us. I would judge that we are experts at recognizing content in vocalizations too; i.e. there is a burr sound in "want" requests, a distinctive "mew" in protests, a rising tone on some inquiries; arousal sounds are distinctive, etc.

Ears forward is focus, attention, interest etc., but the more subtle happy has ears flattened but not as far back as angry or fearful. Whiskers are very expressive. You can tell a lot by seeing what the whiskers are doing as a hand approaches the face. Of course the tail lifts if the cat is receiving attention by a nearby mommy or owner. I often notice this in commercial advertising and know that the trainer is nearby. Some kinds of happy responses involve rear wiggling. Tail twitching and teeth chattering is more often frustration than annoyance.

There is actually so much to look at. It reminds me of the time my sign language teacher deliberately demonstrated holding a blank face while signing. It was actually shocking to not see all the things that we were not even aware we were looking at when communicating.

Our four cats are "Mommy," "Ollie, (please sir can I have some more)" "Wookie (big baluga whale, or alternatively StarWars Wookie)" and "Muffy (fluffy)" Their father was the largest housecat I ever seen and unusually intelligent and compliant to my requests. I didn't realize how unusual my interaction was to him until one time I snapped my fingers and thumped the panel next to a window of a car and he jumped to that spot whereupon I caught him before he could then fall down. I never trained it or anything like that but while not paying attention particularly and in intent conversation with my mother, this is exactly what I did and he did exactly what I wanted. I wouldn't even remember the event if my mother hadn't goggled so markedly at the time. Wookie used to be fond of rearing up and closing doors by pressing on them with his paws.