Stephen Hawking Turned Down Knighthood

schliz writes "Professor Stephen Hawking has revealed that he turned down the offer of a knighthood over 10 years ago. The scientist has released correspondence showing that he was approached with the offer of a knighthood but refused it on principle. Professor Hawking has also revealed correspondence showing harsh criticism of what he sees as the UK government's mismanagement of science funding. He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils."

What do you get with knighthood?

[Anonymous Coward]

Lots of women? The ability to do +2 damage? What's the deal and why would someone want it?

Also, he couldn't figured out how to get...

[Anonymous Coward]

himself, the speech synth, and the wheel chair onto the horse's back. He would be a knight after all. I didn't even get to the part of how he could hold the lance.

You want some Knighthoood?

[Recovering Hater]

"We want you to be our Knight Professor Hawking."

(robot voice)"No, you can keep it. I will not risk valorous death for someone who mismanages the government funding of my chosen profession.

"No, you don't understand..."

(loud robot voice)"I SAID KEEP IT!"

I hate when that happens

[SEWilco]

He is particularly critical of the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

Yeah, I hate it when someone creates a PPARCCCLRC.

That's a COVER STORY!

[Bogtha]

The truth is that he has fallen out of favour with the government since Torchwood uncovered evidence that he is working with Davros [b3ta.com].

Personally, I think the government shouldn't be in the business of giving out meaningless awards and I would refuse one on that basis.

Re:I hate when that happens

[ettlz]

STFC. Depending on who you ask, this means "Swindon Town Football Club" (STFC offices are in Swindon), or "Screw The Fucking Collider".

How?

[Bazman]

I can see the problem at the ceremony now:

Queen: "Arise Sir Hawking. Errmmmmm".

Re:source of knighthood vs source of funding

[kestasjk]

Generally knighthoods and other honours are given out based on recommendations by ministers of the current government, the queen actually has very little say in the matter - she controls the Order of the Garter completely however.

Are you saying the Queen isn't personally appreciative of Hawking's work on the mathematics behind black holes? Are you saying she doesn't read Nature and publish papers on quantum loop gravity and super-symmetry all day?! Then what the hell does she do with all her time and wealth?!

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[Kingrames]

You get to move one space to the left or right whenever you walk forward.

The chicks love it.

Hawking - Python = LISP

[Anonymous Coward]

"the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils"

In other news, the British Council For The Renaming Of British Councils Which Sound As If They Were Named By Monty Python (BCFTROBCWSAITWNBMP) was renamed "Betsy". And in the sports news, it was (over 'Ilchester-Ladies-Choir 'Arsenal 3 nil) . . .

Re:It is perfectly understandable

[Myrddin Wyllt]

The people who tend to accept them are the ones whose careers are on the slide anyway.

So true. [bbc.co.uk]

Chess!

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure there are perks that come with it, but I believe the main thing is the honour of being recognised nationally for your achievements.

It is also useful for playing chess. You get the ability to move all pawns like knights on the first move as well as the ability to resurrect a fallen knight. Really, it is in the chess rulebook! But that is nothing compared to the moves you get when you become a bishop or a duke!

I should note that these rule adjustments only work in the UK and Commonwealth countries. And if you are ever in the UK, don't play a game of chess with the queen. Not even Kasparov would attempt it.

Re:It is perfectly understandable

[fyoder]

A lot of people are refusing knighthoods, because association with our tired, old absurd Imperial rituals is more of a detriment than a benefit to someone who is already famous in their own right.

Not to mention it's not as much fun [youtube.com] as it was in the old days. Now, they don't even give you your own servant with coconut shells.

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[uxbn_kuribo]

You start out with a lance, a pony, and the ability to jump in an L-shape. Also, after you've been a knight for a while, you can dip your sword in a fountain to see if it'll turn into Excalibur.

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[Anonymous Coward]

His wheelchair will now be able to strafe.

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sounds like somebody needs a hug.

Informative response...

[Anonymous Coward]

Bet this doesn't get modded up, but here goes:

In 1865 the holder of the Christ Church Mathematical Lectureship, one Charles Dodgson, published an amazing childrens book, 'Alice in Wonderland' under the pen name of Lewis Caroll.

The book was a great success, and Queen Victoria was one of his fans. Greatly appreciative, she arranged for an audience with 'Caroll', and insisted that she be provided with a copy of the next book this author would write.

Imagine her surprise when, next year, she was sent a copy of a complex technical book on Symbolic Logic!

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[Anonymous Coward]

How do you "return" knighthood?

Queen: I hereby knight thee, Sir Hawking.
Hawking: [*HMMN*] ve-ry well [*HMMN*] nurse, ex-e-cute plan B.
Nurse: *grabs the sword out of the Queen's hand slices off Queens' right arm*
Hawking: [*HMMN*] oops. that was plan C. [*HMMN*] nurse, you're fir-ed.

Re:What do you get with knighthood?

[uniquegeek]

*and* Futurama. With Al Gore, no less. The greatest scientists of our time.