When Stephen Hawking was 12 years old, one of his friends bet another child a bag of sweets that Stephen Hawking would never amount to anything. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who was on the losing side of that bet. Though Hawking certainly was a genius, he gave the following reply when he was asked for his IQ: “I have no idea. People who boast about their IQ are losers.”
Stephen Hawking was a young man in his early twenties when he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. Doctors told him he only had about 2-3 years left to live but he smashed the odds by surviving and thriving for 54 more years. He made several remarkable discoveries, even redefining the way blackholes are viewed. Before he developed motor neuron disease, he was bored with life and wasn’t motivated to fully focus on his studies and his work, but when he found out that didn’t have much time left to live, he felt compelled to make every moment count.
Stephen Hawking was a master of unravelling the secrets of the universe. He used quantum theory to explain that black holes are not actually black but they emit heat and slowly vanish. This theory, now known as Hawking Radiation, went against classical physics, which stated black holes could not radiate heat. Hawking also proposed the idea that the nature of the universe is governed by a set of laws and called this idea ‘The Theory of Everything’. He claimed these laws explain timeless questions such as, “How did the universe begin, and does it have an end?”
As Stephen Hawking takes his place in the cosmos, let us remember the following words of his, which can guide our own lives:
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
Author: Rohan Parekh
Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays after Christmas, and for good reason. Who doesn’t love a great Halloween party or a horror movie marathon? Not to mention kids trick-or-treating, their bags filling up with chocolates, candy, and snacks.
For an occasion that is deeply rooted in the concept of community, it can be a little hard to adapt to the new normal that is 2020. But that certainly doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop. Halloween is always special, and this year you can make it a truly indulgent affair with family at home. Skip the grand Halloween events and let the party come to you, with irresistible toffees, truffles and other sweet treats that are perfect for the most chilling night of the year.
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you can, spend some time with that special someone and impress them with a fantastic experience. If you take some time to do a little preparation for this Valentine’s Day, you’re sure to put together something they’ll love. Pairing chocolate with the right wine can bring out the best in both and if you have one in mind, you may want to choose the second to match.
While “the more the merrier” is a fabulous motto for a traditional Christmas gathering, this year “the smaller the safer” is what we all need to remember for the people in our bubble as the big day arrives. Here are a few things to remind you of the magic of Christmas that can be celebrated, even from afar.
