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Stephen Hawking Calls Trump A 'Demagogue' Who Appeals 'To The Lowest Common Denominator' (go.com)
An anonymous reader writes: British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking told ITV's morning show that Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican Party candidate for U.S. president, "is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator." He said, "Gone are the days we could stand on our own against the world. We need to be part of a larger group of nations, both for our security and our trade." ABC News writes, "Stephen Hawking understands the workings of the universe -- but says he cannot fathom the popularity of Donald Trump. He went on to say that British voters should keep the United Kingdom in the European Union in a June 23 referendum, saying the EU provides essential support for British scientific research as well as its economy and security.
Not sure why it's not a PRIMARY story on Slashdot, but Scott Adams knows exactly why Trump is appealing - and it's not just to the lowest common denominator, but all people that are not hard-core tied with one ideology they will cling to unto death.
Try this mind-blower on for size with the next Trump hater - ask them if they believe anything Trump says, they will say no. Then ask them why the so strongly oppose someone based only on things they are certain he will not do, of their own admission...
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Quick question: would we take seriously pronouncements on physics, black holes, and the nature of reality coming from, say, Kissinger? No, that would be idiotic. The man probably knows everything about the subtle interplay of diplomacy, but nothing about physics. The very idea of him commenting on particle physics is ludicrous.
Yet, at the same time, we don't immediately start laughing when someone like Stephen Hawking - who knows everything about physics, black holes, and the nature of reality but likely NOTHING MORE THAN THE GENERAL CITIZEN about diplomacy, history, and the interplay of international negotiations - starts commenting on international affairs, to say nothing of politics in a country not even his own?
Mr Hawking is entitled to his own opinion, of course. But the idea that "we should listen to him, he's smart" is pretty stupid.
-Styopa
"Donald Trump is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator." -- Stephen Hawking
"Stephen who? Who is this guy? I've never heard of him? How can I respond to a guy I've never heard of? Maybe he's a good guy, maybe he's a rapist, I don't know. Some people say he's working for the Chinese to steal American jobs. I don't know but that's what I hear." -- Donald Trump
Only an idiot would bring rationality and reason to a bullshitting contest.