BRUISED BRAINIAC (Cops investigate mysterious assaults on crippled astrophysicist Stephen Hawking)

NY Post ^ | January 20, 2004 | BILL HOFFMANN

[presidio9]

Cops have launched an investigation into a series of mysterious assaults on crippled astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. The probe reportedly began after the author of the best seller "A Brief History of Time" was left stranded in his wheelchair in the garden of his country home last summer on the hottest day of the year.

[presidio9]

Recording of the singualrity bet Hawking made with Kip Thorn in 1975.

"Whereas Stephen Hawking has such a large investment in general relativity and black holes and desires and insurance policy, and wheras Kip Thorne likes to live dangerously without an insurance policy.

Therefore be it resolved that Stephen Hawking bets one years subscription to PENTHOUSE as against Kip Thorne's wages of a 4-year subscription to PRIVATE EYE, that Cygnus X-1 does not contain a black hole of mass above Chandrasekhar limit."

[John Frum]

I don't know if this is a true story or not, but just because he has ALS (motor neuron disease) doesn't stop his sex drive or interest in the opposite gender. Personally, someone like that should get a free pass, in my book; I mean to deal with that kind of disability (an exceptional mind inside a physically locked body) is almost a herculean effort. If he has an evening of fun looking at exotic women, more power to him. Its not like he can really physically act on his thoughts - I'd just give the poor guy a break!

[cmak9]

I never noticed the accent either, I always thought he sounded a lot like my old MacIntosh.

Man, that was cold! Funny as hell, but cold ;-).

[Varda]

He's married (no free pass) and we don't know what he can or can't do...but his wife does.

[Varda]

That is funny! And I want to say that I like Stephen Hawking, he has some really good points (he's really nice to kids who meet him).

[Redcloak]

I used to work in the Bridge Building and passed Thorn's wagers everyday.

[Calvin Locke]

I noticed a suspicious pattern in the story: "hottest day of the year...suffered severe heatstroke and sunburn....grill his wife,...

It reminds me of a Magnum, PI epi with Mercedes McCambridge and Ted Danson.

[Lizavetta]

Actually, I think his finest performance was as Joshua in Wargames.

Is this a joke or was that really his voice?

[Sacajaweau]

You're absolutely right. He can use his computer at any time to convey problems. Why wouldn't he?? No reason at all.

Heard he's rather reckless driving his specialized chair.

[presidio9]

I used to work in the Bridge Building and passed Thorn's wagers everyday.

I am not a physics geek, and am afraid to say that I don't get it.

[presidio9]

Is this a joke or was that really his voice?

Are you series?

[Our man in washington]

Not only is Hawking a genius, he's a medical miracle. He's survived ALS longer than just about anyone on earth. In fact, I seem to remember reading somewhere that Hawking had set a record as far as anyone knew, but I can't remember the source.

[dangus]

This may sound like a strange context for a pop culture reference, but is this "Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy" what the mother had in "The Sixth Sense?"

[dangus]

You're kidding! IS that real?

[Ditto]

50% of ALS patients die within 18 months after diagnosis. Only 20% survive 5 years and 10% live longer than 10 years.

I have know two guys who came down with it --- both big, x-Marine types. One lasted less that 18 months, and the other about 5 years. After seeing them, I'm not sure which one was better off.

[Burn24]

"Munchausen by proxy" is ... too weird and hard to explain. It involves secretly hurting someone else, and then taking care of them, in order to gain approval from the doctor at what a great caretaker you are. I think it's mostly done to children.

[dangus]

Yeah... I was wondering if that was what the mother had in "The Sixth Sense." Seems like it.

[tiamat]

Is his wife the only person taking care of him? If he has nurses or aides they need to be checked out...VERY common for people in nursing homes to get beaten up. Happened to my grandmother.

We moved her the minute we found out.

Tia

[presidio9]

True story: I was having dinner at my friend's house and his brother remarked that an acquaintance had "Lou Gehrig's Disease." His octogenarian Italian grandmother remarked "I didn't even know he played baseball!"

[William Tell]

presidio9 said: "I am not a physics geek, and am afraid to say that I don't get it."

The limit in question is a certain mass and seems to address whether a star will become a white dwarf, or alternatively, a neutron star or a black hole. The behavior of electrons as the aging star collapses into an incredibly dense form is key. Above this limit, there is sufficient mass to overcome the electron forces.

The bet described is whether a certain size blackhole will be found to exist as described.

Several of the world's leading physicist engage in bets involving their pet theories. Several of these bets are documented as shown and the documents are posted on the campus at Caltech in Pasadena, California. Some past bets have been resolved and the loser documents his concession on the document and has to pay the bet.

For people at Caltech, it is more interesting than betting on the Super Bowl.