He roamed the cosmos from a wheelchair. He has been an epitome of the triumph of mind over matter. A real human being with an enormous zest for life, a normal human weaknesses and his more obvious strength, Hawking was arguably the No. 1 celebrity scientist.
Predestination was not his system of beliefs. It was a mere coincidence that he was born 300 years to the day after Galileo died. And he passed away on the date of Albert Einstein’s birth.
Stephen Hawking tried to lure time travellers to his house by throwing a party on June 28, 2009, then sending out invitations later. Nobody showed up.
Hawking guest-starred, as himself, on The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The Simpsons. There’s an action figure of Stephen Hawking, thanks to his appearance on The Simpsons. Hawking also contributed to two Pink Floyd tracks. He lent his voice synthesiser to Keep Talking and Talkin’ Hawkin.
Stephen Hawking’s DNA is saved in digital form on a large memory device called the Immortality Drive on the International Space Station.
A Brief History of Time was published in 1988 and had been translated into 35 languages by 2001. A film version of A Brief History of Time, directed by Errol Morris and produced by Steven Spielberg, premiered in 1992.
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge,” he spoke once.
This is the world of ‘Nutty’s Infotainment. YAYS!’
And your time starts NOW!
Who is an Ultracrepidarian?
Someone who doesn’t know what he is talking about or someone who is in the habit of giving advice on matters he himself knows nothing about (a la some modern day politicians!!!).
This singer, pianist and composer was born this day (25th March), 70 years back as Reginald Kenneth Dwight. According to the Guinness Book of Records, one of his tribute single is the second highest selling single of all time (behind Bing Crosby’s White Christmas). He would soon embark on a three-year farewell tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, starting 8th September. Identify the artist and his so popular single.
Elton John and Candle in the Wind, a tribute of Princess Diana.
Name the highest natural point in Qatar.
Qurayn Abu Al Bawl, also referred to as Tuwayyir Al Hamir. The peak reaches 103 metres in height and is located in the south of the country.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friend.” Who said this and in which movie?
Dumledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Which bird is said to hide its head in the sand when in danger?
Ostrich. Ostriches don’t bury their heads in the sand — they wouldn’t be able to breathe! But they do dig holes in the dirt to use as nests for their eggs. Several times a day, a bird puts her head in the hole and turns the eggs. So it really does look like the birds are burying their heads in the sand!
Who, at the age of 17, became the first teenager to win a Nobel Peace Prize?
Malala Yousafzai in 2014
On what part of your body would you wear ‘mules’?
Feet. Mules are women shoes.
A mailing address has been assigned to Santa Claus by Canada Post. What is the zip code?
H0H 0H0. The postal service responds each year to tens of thousands of children’s letters from around the world addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada.
If melted down for scrap, what would be the value of a bronze medal from the London 2012 Summer Olympics?
Less than $5
Identify the Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur below.
(Answer next week. Last week’s answer to photoquiz: Santorini)
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