Stephen Hawking: Dark Knight

[LongTomH]

Another good article from Phil Platt's Bad Astronomy blog: Stephen Hawking: Dark Knight.

First important piece of news: Prof. Hawking is raking the British government over the coals for some disastrous funding cuts for UK science.

Anyway, this is pretty cool. I’ve been reading about how England is making devastating cuts to science research, which is slitting their own throats. Science is one of their biggest exports, so their cuts are incredibly ill-advised. Incidentally, you need to read toward the bottom of that article; Brian Cox has one of the best quotations of all time in this regard.

“The notion that scientists will make a more valuable contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the world if their research is closely directed by politicians is the most astonishing piece of nonsense I have had the misfortune to come across in a long time,” Cox said.

The second is really old news: Prof. Hawking has turned down a knighthood multiple times.

“Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them,” said a spokesman.

Phil raises an eyebrow at this:

Hmmm. Professor Hawking doesn’t like titles. Right. Got it.

[Teaser]

1. uh, title means something different in Britain

.

[Mojambo]

2. I think Hawking doesn't like titles of nobility.

Professor wouldn't be the same thing.

[dougkeenan]

3. Rats I thought this was a cool new comic book! nt

[Drum]

4. He's great

and I know understatement!

I love this picture: