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Marvin Dansie
The passing of Stephen Hawking is a major historical event in the field of science in our lifetimes. He may have been trapped in a body that he could not move, but he was able to see things that most mortal men can not - to comprehend the incomprehensible.
When I was in high school I never took physics. I didn’t actually know what “physics” was all about, but I was sure I wouldn’t like it - besides, it was just for geeks. It wasn’t until I was forced to take a physics course while I was in the navy that I realized what a fascinating field of study it is. When I finally went back to college it was one of my favorite classes and since my first introduction to the subject I have always had a passing interest in the field.
To me the study of physics is the process of discovering the fundamental physical laws that make the universe work. In doing so, we discover that many things are far different than what our everyday experience would lead us to believe. Physicists discover the physical laws, and as a mechanical engineer I spent decades trying to apply those laws to solve real world problems.
I have the utmost respect for the likes of Hawking, Einstein, Newton and the countless others that spent their lives trying to really understand the universe, and in doing so have allowed us to enjoy an unprecedented quality of life (with technology that is indistinguishable from magic).
Tawna - In high school math was never one of my strong points either. I later realized that the teachers had something to do with that. You and many of the rest of the class of '69' (including myself) graduated as mathphobes. I later discovered it was something I didn't have to be afraid of and that it is actually quite useful at times.
Daryl - You rock. You keep this website going and I do appreciate it. I look forward to many more of your forum comments.
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