Stephen Hawking Personality

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Stephen Hawking is an interesting and famous person. He is simultaneously part of two different groups of society which most people view as existing on opposite ends of a spectrum. He is profoundly disabled, requiring much care. He is also a brilliant academic who has been compared with Einstein. Stephen Hawking, in his popularity, shows that our society is generally understanding and accepting of very unique people. He has ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. It slowly weakens his muscles, he is unable to move most of his muscles that are directly controlled by the brain. This obviously confines him to a wheelchair. He is also unable to use his voice, as he is unable to move control his vocal chords. A special computer system has been set up for …show more content…

This shows that most people are kind and at sympathetic in both directions. Sympathetic towards others, and towards themselves. Most people are not Stephen Hawking, and never will be, most are also not upset about this. Perhaps if people were more envious about their lack of similar abilities, they would push themselves to be better. On the other hand, it would be easier for most to just sulk in resentment. Towards Hawking, most still have sympathy. His ability does not outweigh his disability. Stephen Hawking has a major disability, it does not “subtract” from his abilities. It should be easy to be respecting of those who look and act radically different than ourselves. If one were to meet Dr. Hawking without an introduction would assume based on his physical appearance that he was a mental vegetable when in fact quite the opposite is the case. While he is an extreme example, it shows how wrong one can be when they see other’s disabilities and personal issues while overlooking their abilities. Most are too quick to assume that someone else has similar abilities, motivations, and concerns as themselves. In interactions with others, it is good to remember that the other person is likely very different than oneself. If someone met Hawking without knowing him and without an introduction, but was patient and had a conversation, they would be understanding and accepting towards …show more content…

A Brief History of Time. London, The Folio Society, 2016. Hawking, Stephen W. “Stephen Hawking.” Stephen Hawking, www.hawking.org.uk/. Accessed 9 June 2017. McCarten, Anthony, and Jane Hawking. The Theory of Everything. Working Title Films, 2014. Rowley, Sarah. “Stephen Hawking - the tech helping him talk and write revealed.” SwiftKey Blog, TouchType Ltd, 10 Sept. 2015, blog.swiftkey.com/swiftkey-reveals-role-professor-stephen-hawkings-communication-system/. Accessed 9 June 2017. Taylor, Jeri. “Descent.” Star Trek: The Next Generation, CBS, 21 June

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