[betty boop]

I would say that your affliction is reality, Hawking . . . and you are dealing with it.

Or not dealing with it, as the case may be....

[YHAOS]

“Or not dealing with it (reality), as the case may be....”

I want to be very clear on this matter. I take your point . . . but . . . on one level Hawking is dealing with his affliction whether or not he wishes to acknowledge the fact.