Stephen Hawking: Twitter reacts to death of ‘beautiful mind’
Scientists, politicians and celebrities pay tribute to man whose theories ‘unlocked the universe’
Scores of people from the worlds of science, politics and entertainment have tweeted tributes to Stephen Hawking, the pioneering British physicist and author who has died at the age of 76.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson shared a photo of himself and Hawking, and wrote: “His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake.”
Nasa shared a video of Hawking’s address to astronauts on the International Space Station in 2014. “His theories unlocked the universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring,” said the space agency.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“May you keep flying like superman in microgravity.”
British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent more than six months in space in 2016, said Hawking had inspired generations to “look beyond our own blue planet and expand our understanding of the universe”.
Accolades and recollections of fond memories poured in from across the political spectrum, too.
Many, including Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell, recalled the physicist’s wicked sense of humour.
Some remembered Hawking’s more offbeat achievements, such as lending his voice to several episodes of The Simpsons.
The scentist was such a fan of the show that he made four separate appearances, and called it “the best thing on American television”.
He also knew it brought him to a new audience, saying: “Almost as many people know me from The Simpsons as through my science.”
Many commentators also celebrated The Theory of Everything, the film based on Hawking’s early life, with Eddie Redmayne in the lead role.
As CNet notes, many fans first heard one of Hawking’s most “inspiring” quotes in the film: “There should be no boundaries to human endeavour. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - September 14, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - a second debate, Europe on the menu, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 cleverly clashing cartoons about the presidential debate
Cartoons Artists take on a deepfake debate, winners and losers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Pélicot case: a horror exposed
Talking Point This case is unusually horrifying, but the misogyny that enabled is chillingly common
By The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published