Slashdot Mirror


Stephen Hawking Turned Down Knighthood

schliz writes "Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago. The scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood but refused it on principle. Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding. He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils."

2 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Hawking is just mad for this reason... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    He wasted all his time and effort to search Africa for "geniuses". According to my friend, IQ tests among different races, etc. my friend said it's only possible for 9 geniuses to exist in the whole continent of 900,000,000 due to the scientific data.

    Talk about finding a needle in the haystack, not to mention that accusations of witchcraft will get you killed in the alleged "starting place of civilization". So I figure if 9 are in theory around, that its more likely like 3 because 6 of the geniuses were burned alive for being witches or involving in black magic.

  2. He is using his knighthood by Gnavpot · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Am I the only one who find this a bit hypocritical?

    When you tell the public that you were offered a knighthood but refused it, you are using this knighthood just as much as if you had accepted it.