Women are a universal mystery, claims Stephen Hawking

By
Emma Reynolds

Last updated at 8:14 AM on 5th January 2012

Genius: But scientist Stephen Hawking admits he does not understand the opposite sex

Genius: But scientist Stephen Hawking admits he does not understand the opposite sex

He is one of the world’s greatest living scientists, who uncovered the secrets of the universe in his book, A Brief History of Time.

But the great Stephen Hawking says he still struggles with one tricky subject.

When asked what occupied his thoughts for most of his waking hours, he answered: ‘Women. They are a complete mystery.’

In an interview with New Scientist to mark his 70th birthday this weekend, the quantum physicist revealed a softer side behind his brilliant brain.

He even hinted at regrets in his personal life after being asked about his biggest mistake.

He said that thinking information was destroyed black holes was his biggest blunder – ‘or at least my biggest blunder in science.’

Professor Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at 21, conducted the interview as he communicates – using a voice machine that picks up the twitching of his cheek.

His conversation with the magazine came ahead of an international conference held in his honour that starts today at Cambridge University, where he used to be the Lucasian professor of mathematics.

It will conclude on Sunday with talks from some of the world’s most prominent physicists, including Lord Rees, the Astronomer Royal, Saul Perlmutter, who won the Nobel prize for physics in 2011, and Kip Thorne from the California Institute of Technology.

Professor Hawking, who has made cameos in The Simpsons and Star Trek, was not expected to live for many years after being diagnosed, but has has a stellar career.

Colleagues have this week expressed their admiration for the talented cosmologist, who has contributed to theories of gravity and showed that black holes emit radiation and slowly disappear.

Brilliant brain: The 69-year-old, pictured at his wedding to ex-wife Elaine, said a mistake about black holes was his biggest blunder 'at least in science'

Brilliant brain: The 69-year-old, pictured at his wedding to ex-wife Elaine, said a mistake about black holes was his biggest blunder ‘at least in science’

Professor Hawking married Jane Wilde in 1965, and she cared for him until 1991 when the couple separated, reportedly because of the pressures of fame and his increasing disability.

They had three children: Robert, Lucy – now a popular author, and Timothy.

The scientist then married his nurse, Elaine Mason (who was previously married to David Mason, the designer of the first version of Hawking’s talking computer), in 1995.

In October 2006, Hawking filed for divorce from his second wife.

In 2004, the scientist showed how a black hole’s information leaks back into our universe through an event horizon – a recantation of an earlier theory that lost him a bet made with fellow theorist John Preskill.

Professor Hawking also showed in the interview that he has not lost his passion for science, or his dreams of exciting future discoveries.

He said that if he was a young physicist starting out today, he would have a new idea that would open up an entirely new field.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

We are computers with feelings. Without feelings we have no sense of self (ask anyone who’s had depression). Women, in general, feel differently to men.

John-Cheshire. Agree 100 per cent ! Women don´t want equality with men, they want better treatment than men get !

Does anyone understand the opposite sex?

Stephen, you have no chance. Just accept that they will use and abuse you. I’d say do it to them first, but I’m not wired that way. If I was, I may have had a happier time with them. Sadly they seem to respect “bad boys” more than good ones.

Whilst women I understand, also Quantum physics isn’t as deep as you might expect. Example when a Photon is destroyed it also creates an exact duplicate of its prior self. Hence the reason why you could not copy exactly the makes in the Shroud of Turin was because (as I believe) subjected to rapid movement of material through the fabric by means of Quantum physics.

– Richard, Reading, 5/1/2012 9:18 reading your numerous comments on this subject, you put yourself over as a woman hating male chauvinistic anorak either get a life or have a word with your Boyfriend to see if he can put you right……. bet you have your sat nav with the male voice telling you what to do ??????

The only way to get to the bottom of a woman is to pinch it!

If he had tried to figure out the mind of a woman he would never have had enough time to write ‘A Brief History of Time’ ?

The universe is the easy bit.

And he’s only just now figured that one out?

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