Today would have been the 84th birthday of Stephen Hawking had ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, not taken his life 8 years ago. Hawking outlived the doctor’s predictions by decades, time in which he spent researching theoretical physics and writing several novels that have educated people on some of the most complex topics in physics.
I’m writing about this today not only to celebrate Hawking’s birthday but because of the profound impact his books have had on my life. Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays is one of the books that shaped me. It exposed me to countless new ideas and started a lifelong fascination with physics. It set off my passion for reading STEM focused literature, and has been a comfort book for many years.
So, in honor of Stephen Hawking’s birthday, go pick up one of his many books, all of which make the most complex topics understandable to anyone and everyone. After all, you’ll never know what you’ll learn and the secrets of the universe you’ll uncover.
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