Where will Hawking stand in the future?

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The discussion centers on the legacy of Stephen Hawking and his standing in the history of physics. Participants speculate on whether Hawking will be remembered alongside iconic figures like Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein in the future. There is a consensus that his contributions to physics will be valued similarly, emphasizing that the significance of scientific work often transcends individual popularity. The conversation draws parallels between scientific recognition and popularity contests, suggesting that the lasting reputation of scientists may depend more on societal perceptions than on their actual contributions. The mention of lesser-known physicists like Ken Wilson highlights the impact of celebrity on the recognition of scientific achievements.
Physicslover19
I was discussing this with my class just the other day and now the sad news has come out, I was wondering where everybody thinks Hawking stands and where he will stand in 100 or even 200 years?

Will he be as widely known as Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein? Will his research and discoveries be as valued as theres?
 
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I think it will. He was a great physicist
 
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This reminds me of all the silly discussions on the Talk Tennis forums about who the greatest tennis players of all time are.

The body of work is the body of work. Reputation is the product of a human popularity contest and says more about the humans that come later than the individual producing the body of work.

I often tell my students that science fairs are something like beauty contests: once you have done good science, the winners come down to the subject judgement of the judges.
 
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Physicslover19 said:
Will he be as widely known as Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein?

Do you know who Ken Wilson was? (No, not Rob Zombie's drummer)

If not, that says something about celebrity and physics accomplishments.
 
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