As Kimberly Winston of Religion News Service wrote earlier today, “Say the words ‘British,’ ‘scientist’ and ‘atheist’ and the first person to come to mind probably isn’t Stephen Hawking.”
She’s right about that. A lot of people are confusing the names of Stephen Hawking, the atheist theoretical physicist who died last night, and Richard Dawkins, the atheist evolutionary biologist.
It’s not that they think Dawkins is the one who died. It’s that news producers are eager for Dawkins to discuss the loss of “Richard Hawkins.”
Many excellent young science graduates would give their all for a job in television. So where did a leading TV company find the “Editorial Producer” who just invited to me “to talk to us about the life and legacy of your colleague Richard Hawkins”?
— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) March 14, 2018
Now another TV producer wants me to talk about “the death of Professor Hawkins.” I heard Prince Philip make the same mistake when presenting Professor Hawking with a big medal. Once, after a talk at a Lit Fest, the first question I got was “Why aren’t you in your wheelchair?”
— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) March 14, 2018
Alas, Professor Hawkins is no longer with us either. Some say he was never truly with us at all. Some say he lives inside of us. And some say he will appear if we say his name in the dark three times in a row.
It’s not just news producers either. Plenty of celebrities chimed in with their memories of “Stephen Hawkins,” the Brilliant Man Who Never Existed,
RIP Stephen Hawkins. “Remember to look up at the stars not down at your feet “. pic.twitter.com/RO6VoaiHfU
— Geri Horner (@GeriHalliwell) March 14, 2018
The brightest star in the Universe Stephen Hawkins passes away…His amazing amazing courage, knowledge, humour shines forever…While doctors told him he would live for 2 more years he defied knowledge by living another half a century…#Salute..#Honour..#Respect.. pic.twitter.com/M0HQDoUHx8
— Andleeb Abbas (@AndleebAbbas) March 14, 2018
Really sad to hear that the brilliant Stephen Hawkins passed away. He saw cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics but explained it in lay terms. Also discovered that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing. Science will not be the same https://t.co/9vtWG4vrjd
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 14, 2018
The world has lost a gem in the field of Science. Sir Stephen Hawkins’s contribution and the way he have inspired millions will never fade. His demise is anguishing.
RIP #stephenhawking pic.twitter.com/Ye7eLMtH9N— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) March 14, 2018
“Those who live in the shadow of death are often those who live most.” RIP Stephen Hawkins. When a bright star like you dies, there’s no paradox about information loss. https://t.co/eoSKd7bnfh
— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) March 14, 2018
just woke up in Florida to the sad news about Stephen Hawkins. A great man RIP https://t.co/NC3gHfJBql
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) March 14, 2018
Peace and love Stephen Hawkins peace and love. pic.twitter.com/1KN5O5eIPn
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 14, 2018
Today, on #PiDay, we honor #STEM genius Stephen Hawkins who reminds us that “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” Stephen is one of the few scientists who achieved rock-star status. https://t.co/jsyyXnDFTV
— Girl Scouts (@girlscouts) March 14, 2018
#RIP Stephen Hawkins. “Remember to look up at the stars not down at your feet “. pic.twitter.com/qMUxscR4Qd
— Dr. C.P. Joshi (@drcpjoshi) March 14, 2018
(Thanks to Brian for the link)