Slashdot Mirror


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.

11 of 751 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So? by DogDude · · Score: 1, Informative

    One doesn't have to be a politician or businessman to see that Trump is a demagogue who appeals to the lowest common denominator. An IQ above room temperature should do the trick.

    --
    I don't respond to AC's.
  2. Re:Shut up, Stephen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Hawking is one of a handful of scientists with broad public recognition that does not come from being a TV host or similar media-driven celebrity. He's on most people's short list for the top physicist in the world.

    Experienced scientists know that government policy matters, and the President of the US is the most powerful political leader in the Western world.

    Climate change in particular is a crucial issue for mankind, yet Trump has shown no evidence that he even takes it seriously. He's going around telling voters that we need more coal plants. He just told voters in central California that "there is no drought". He promised to stop Muslims from entering the USA - that would cause a flurry of countermoves by other countries and would be devastating to the exchange of ideas.

    Now some of his aides are explaining that "the Muslim thing" was just an exaggeration for effect. Funny how those "exaggerations" came before key primaries in the Republican race; Tea Party voters lapped it up and voted for him in droves. That's called demagoguery.

  3. Re:Trump appeals to all denominators by Macdude · · Score: 3, Informative

    I don't know if my mind is blown but it's certainly confused. Your first question is unclear, do you mean is there anything that he has said that I believe, or do you mean will I believe anything he says regardless of how bat shit crazy it is? And what do you mean by believe? Do I believe he said it? Do I believe he thinks it's true? If it's not an opinion do I think the things he says are objectively true? If it's an opinion do I agree with it? And your final sentence I can't parse at all.

    --
    "Grab them by the pussy" -- President of the United States of America
  4. Re:So? by Pfhorrest · · Score: 4, Informative

    Because step one of that plan was "take his inheritance", and GP wasn't born into such an inheritance like Trump was.

    --
    -Forrest Cameranesi, Geek of all Trades
    "I am Sam. Sam I am. I do not like trolls, flames, or spam."
  5. Re:So? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1, Informative

    Isaac Newton was proven wrong

    I don't think you get how science works. Let me guess: you're a Trump supporter, right?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  6. Re: His popularity just went up by Billly+Gates · · Score: 1, Informative

    Because God is a free market pro business republican to these people. Ask any southern white Christian? It is taught at the pulpit and all the religious figures endorse him because he has an R next to his name.

    It is amazing how group psychology and group identity impacts brains sadly.

  7. The Wall by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, I also can't figure out why preventing illegal immigration to save literally billions per year is a good idea.

    And that's just for California.

    Who'd've thought that people don't want political correctness, extra crime, migrant welfare, and a change of culture?

  8. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    So, between 1974 and 2016, DT managed to increase his net worth from 1.4B to 4.5B? A rate of return of 3.3%? Not only could you do better with an index fund, that doesn't even beat inflation. If that's your idea of a financial genius, you really need to learn about compound interest.

  9. Re: So? by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Most foreign slashdoters, and even most local, have no clue how the U.S. government works. Most of them think of the President as a king or dictator. His word is law. That isn't the way it is. Outside the scope of his office the president has no more power than a normal citizen of the United States. Granted the power inside his office is vast but it is limited.

    When it comes to shaping public policy the president can only really issue decrees called executive orders. Inside the executive branch, the presidents branch, those orders have a lot of weight. But outside they are usually not worth the paper they are printed on. Like the latest executive order stating that transgenders can use any bathroom in they want to in any public school. There are lots of schools setting this order aside. Other than punitive funding actions there is little the president can do to enforce this order. Even those actions can be over ruled by congress that really holds the purse strings.

    Also any order that the president gives to the public can be cancelled by the Judiciary or the Legislative branches.

    Trump may come in on a wave of fear and flag waving but his power will be limited by his office. I predict that once he is in office he will accomplish little to nothing because the other branches will reign him in. I predict that trump will be a one time president who's term in office will be little more than a foot note on history.

    --

    Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

  10. Re: So? by johanw · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sanders a hyper-socialist? That's funny, in almost all other countries they would call him moderate-right wing. It just shows that the US political landscape has drifted so far to the right that fascism is the norm now.

  11. Re: So? by sociocapitalist · · Score: 4, Informative

    Oddly enough, Trump is the only front-runner clearly and vehemently opposed to the current H1B abuse that's going on right now.

    Trump flip flops on every issue out there except for his believe that he is THE BEST.

    Here is is flip flopping on H1B
    http://uk.businessinsider.com/...

    If you think you can believe anything this man says - or count on him to do ANYTHING he says that he's going to do, then you deserve the snake oil you're buying.

    As far as Bernie, he's not quite out of the game yet but the more people say things like "doesn't have a real shot' the worse it gets for him. He's an underdog but he's not out of the race.

    --
    blindly antisocialist = antisocial