Stephen Hawking "Very Ill"

[Stealth Hunter]

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.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by Stealth Hunter

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



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.

Very, very sad. Coincidentally, this morning I had just finished reading Universe in a Nutshell.

[Schroeder]

I hope he gets through it.

[FIREWALL]

This will be a loss to the world to lose such a great mind and all he has to teach.

I hope he pulls through.

[SteamWake]

Yes heard this very tragic.

Ive always admired Mr. Hawkins, anyone that can accomplish the things he has done being imprisoned in a shell of a body has to be respected. Not to mention his intellect.

He even has a good sense of humor.

I wish him well and will say a prayer to the heavens for him.

[Oberon]

Ack, hope he picks up. Although, like it's been said, he has done so bloody well just to get this far. Who knows what other fantastic discoveries this guy has yet to make.

[Dowly]

Havent he been very ill for quite some time already? I mean, the guy can barely move!

[Raptor1]

Ouch, hope he manages to come out alright, really do

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Havent he been very ill for quite some time already? I mean, the guy can barely move!

He has been completely paralyzed with the exception of some of his fingers for a while.

Although I admire his work, I hope that he is able to die with some dignity and little pain. He has suffered much and deserves his peace.

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Although I admire his work, I hope that he is able to die with some dignity and little pain. He has suffered much and deserves his peace.

Well said.

[SteamWake]

Let us put off the eulogy for a bit shall we?

Good news "Expected to recover"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517262,00.html

[Jimbuna]

He is now in a "comfortable" condition:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ephen-hospital