I Snapped This Photo of Stephen Hawking at My College Graduation. Here’s What I Learned.

I snapped this photo of Stephen Hawking at my college graduation.

It was 28 years ago and I had just read A Brief History of Time.

It was the first time I ever read for pleasure a book about science.

Today with people like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye we take it for granted that books about physics and science can be stimulating and engaging. I learned that from Stephen Hawking.

Professor Hawking had strong opinions about AI, religion, and the future of humanity. I didn’t always agree with him, but he made me think and forced me to challenge my assumptions.

He never surrendered to his illness. It is inspiring to see what he accomplished despite the difficulties he faced.

Stephen Hawking didn’t believe in the afterlife. But his impact on this planet will last for a very long time.