Stephen Hawking or Cookies?

[Dumbass 0]

OK, I saw this topic on another discussion board and thought it could provoke some interesting discussion here. At any rate it is more intellectial than that "Word Association" thread.

 

Stephen Hawking is probably one of the most intelligent people ever. In addition to his work in theoretical and quantum physics he has a great sense of humor, played himself on Star Trek, produced 2 best-selling books that explain quantum physics to a mass audience without "dumbing down" the subject matter, and even had a speaking part in a Pink Floyd song.

 

At the same time, he can't leave his wheelchair to go get his own cookies.

 

What is your choice? Would you like to be as smart as Stephen Hawking and acomplish what he accomplished but be confined to a wheelchair? Or would you like to be able to get up and get your own cookies?

 

Intelligence vs. Mobility. Which is it?

[Seiben 0]

I'd choose intellegence. Sure, I'd have to get used to life in a wheel chair, but I think I could get accustomed to it quickly. If I had his intellengece, then well.. I'd be rich and I could get someone else to buy my cookies for me. And install some cookie container built into my wheel chair. :P

[Dumbass 0]

I know this poll has only existed for about 5 min, but so far Intelligence has taken an early lead. What is interesting is in that other group I mentioned (which is also Star Trek-based) Mobility won out.

[Veloras Itana 0]

I think I would definitely choose intelligence over mobility. Especially Stephen Hawking's brand of intelligence.

After 30+ years of supporting and defending his theory that nothing escapes from a black hole, Stephen Hawking announced at a conference in Dublin Ireland in July that he now believes he was wrong. The smartest people are the ones wise enough to know when they're wrong and he admitted it in front of a world wide audience. I'd take that over mobility any day. Hope the link works. It's an excellent read.

 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...-672605,00.html

[Images 0]

dude. I'd rather be able to use what few brains I have in the real world then be as smart as that brilliant man and be trapped.

[Grom 0]

I think I would definitely choose intelligence over mobility. Especially Stephen Hawking's brand of intelligence.

After 30+ years of supporting and defending his theory that nothing escapes from a black hole, Stephen Hawking announced at a conference in Dublin Ireland in July that he now believes he was wrong. The smartest people are the ones wise enough to know when they're wrong and he admitted it in front of a world wide audience. I'd take that over mobility any day. Hope the link works. It's an excellent read.

 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...-672605,00.html

I don't think it takes a certain grade of intelligence or wisdom to admit that you've made a mistake, what it takes is humility, a characteristic that all humans have the ability to pursue and even grasp.

 

As to the question proposed, my answer would be mobility. Why? In militaristic terms, you can plot ant strategize a battleplan all day long, and that has its merits, but in the end, you're going to need someone to go out and fight that battle. In societal terms, intellects play significant roles and are often remebered for their great thoughts, but their influence on society would scarecly exist if there weren't great masses of individuals keeping that society going with their skills, trades and gifts.

[JesusTrekkie 0]

*sigh* I tried to share this intellectual post with my mother, who promptly replied that she did not know who Stephen Hawking was and did not care as it did not matter to her.

 

Oh... and I couldn't decide. :P

[DaryusZaphodDracal 0]

I would love to have the brainpower of that man. I have an audio copy of his book. "History of the Universe." He is a remarkably inteligent man. And as for the the wheelchair aspect. ::getting on my wheelchair accessable soapbox:: I've been in a wheelchair for the past four years, because of a rare disorder called SMS (Stiff Man's Syndrome) where the muscles in the body stiffen and atrophy. I have also been legally blind from birth. I personally can get my own cookie's thank you. :P Just because you are disabled does not mean you you cannot "get your own cookie's", or anything else. I'm sure Mr. Hawking saw the problem and used that brilliant mind that God gave him to design a "cookie getting machine" to get his own cookie's, just like he helped to designed his chair and the voicebox that he uses to commmunicate. ::getting down off his soapbox with a wheelie, Evil Kinevil style:: Sorry folks, touchy subject with me. Angie and I are both disabled. When I read a post like this (and no I'm not ticked you Van Roy :P ), it kinda erks me. Alot of people have this impression of the disabled as weak and feeble, sometime's totally helpless. When just the opposite is true. Steven Hawkin is confined to a wheelchair yes, but owns the most brilliant mind in the galaxy. There are disabled people who are doctors lawyer's even judges. Just to sum it up: Just like there are many ways to skin a cat, (ouch bad reference)::shudder:: there are plenty of ways to get a cookie. ;)

 

Zaphod,

"You will be assimalated, meow."

Edited August 1, 2004 by DaryusZaphodDracal

[Nemesis 0]

I've been in a wheelchair for the past four years, because of a rare disorder called SMS (Stiff Man's Syndrome) where the muscles in the body stiffen and atrophy.

My, cousin has that disorder and I believe he's been in a wheel chair for ummmm I think almost 15 years now. He can do most things I can and has a very profitable business. Though when I think of it I'd rather have normal intelligence with the ability to walk then to have superior intellect without that ability.

[LoAmi 0]

Although I can't find a proper reference now, I remember reading (or hearing) somewhere that Hawking's abilities in physics may be partially attributable to his disability! Most theoretical physicists work on paper, manipulating equations. He began to lose muscular control around age 21 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking), and, so, couldn't manipulate equations the same way everyone else did. Instead, of manipulating mathematical constructs, he manipulates visual representations of mathematical constructs in his mind. (Think about the difference between "y=x^2" and "a parabola"). This gives him a perspective different from many other theorists.

[Dumbass 0]

I can see that. We learn to do math by addition and subtraction, then multiplication and division, then logarithims, then advanced calculus, and it's only at the very high stages, when you have been doing mathmatical work for decades (counting grade school), that you learn to think in terms of shapes and relationships and move beyond the calculations and formulas (although the calculations and formulas must still be used to prove what you are saying). If you loose the use of your hands to work a calculator or computer or whatever you must move to that shapes and relationships level a lot quicker than most.

[Tachyon 0]

I choose intelligence. I'm an intellectual type person. I'd really hate to lose the use of my fingers, because I can type pretty well and pretty quickly, and I love to type. But cookies don't really have that much attraction compared to intelligence . . .

 

The strange thing is that if I were offered the chance to evolve into a higher life-form, only without a body, I would probably say no . . . .

 

::wanders off to blither to himself like an idiot::

[Darrik 0]

If I was as smart as Stephen Hawkings, I could find a wormhole that will bring me millions of cookies from another dimension.

Edited August 9, 2004 by Darrik

[Vex Xiang 0]

And then I would win $2million dollars on "Jepardy." And then I'll say, "Suck it Tribeck" That would be so cool

 

Yeah but it would take you 20 minutes to formulate your question for every answers :-D Longest Jeopardy episode ever!

[Tachyon 0]

Yeah but it would take you 20 minutes to formulate your question for every answers :-D Longest Jeopardy episode ever!

Not quite so long, but essentially that. Plus the fact that you wouldn't have a very good response time for that buzzer. Hawking wouldn't do well at Jeopardy!, it is a game meant for people with a broad knowledge base and a quick reaction time.

 

As I write this, the polls are tied . . . interesting.

[Vex Xiang 0]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../25/nhawk25.xml

 

Interestingly in that article...when the inventor created Hawking's voice box...Hawking not only took the voice box but took his wife, too!

 

I hope the allegations are not true...if so that woman should be burned at the stake :-D

Edited August 1, 2004 by Vex Xiang

[Tachyon 0]

I hope the allegations are not true...if so that woman should be burned at the stake :-D

In another news article I read, one pertaining to Hawking losing his bet, it said that the allegations had been found false. I deleted the link, but I'm sure you can find some sort of news article pertaining to his bet.

 

If I was as smart as Stephen Hawkings, I could find a wormhole that will bring me millions of cookies from another dimension.

::makes a note never to allow the Potato near his wormhole generator::

Edited August 1, 2004 by Tachyon

[Anari Erias 0]

::stares at Tachyon's Avatar:: Ooooooo

[Tachyon 0]

::stares at Tachyon's Avatar:: Ooooooo

;)

 

::hides Avatar from the camera:: Um . . . no comment.

 

:P

Edited August 1, 2004 by Tachyon

[Dumbass 0]

Interestingly in that article...when the inventor created Hawking's voice box...Hawking not only took the voice box but took his wife, too!

Apparently Hawking is quite the ladies man as well. Whoda thunk it?

Edited August 1, 2004 by Dumbass

[Nemesis 0]

Apparently Hawking is quite the ladies man as well. Whoda thunk it?

Ugly people with lots of money?

[Vex Xiang 0]

In another news article I read, one pertaining to Hawking losing his bet, it said that the allegations had been found false. I deleted the link, but I'm sure you can find some sort of news article pertaining to his bet.

 

I'll look around...the evidence seems pretty suspicious...unexplained bruises, cuts, etc. But when you think of how many victims of domestic violence deny that any abuse is taking place (just like Hawking did) and factor in that there are no centers or support systems for men who are victims of DV, and the fact that our society virtually pretends DV doesn't happen against men...I have to wonder.

[Dumbass 0]

Ugly people with lots of money?

It worked for Bill Gates and Henry Kissinger.

[Vex Xiang 0]

It worked for Bill Gates and Henry Kissinger

 

You haven't seen Bill Gates mowing his lawn without his shirt I take it! Meeeoooww...

[Veloras Itana 0]

You haven't seen Bill Gates mowing his lawn without his shirt I take it! Meeeoooww...

Thank you. That image will now haunt me well into eternity.

 

:::will never sleep again:::

 

~Itana