Caltech students in Hawking's lecture

biggs
Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:04:08 +0000

Never expected my father’s simple message would stir up such a big fuss. What a crowd!

I never disputed the view that Stephen Hawking couldn’t care less if he was referred to as ‘Professor’ or ‘hi’. Somehow the argument got distorted to if he was offended in the lecture. The issue my ‘angry’ father wants to bring out is: as a Caltech member attending a public event, do act like a educated person with respectfulness. Obliging to calling one’s first name or ‘dude’, if he/she so prefers, is another way of showing your respect too. Joe’s message #12 says it well. I suppose maturity does count. I frequently get yelled at: “Grow up, son” He is not absolutely lunatic after all! For alleya’s story #15, I have no doubt about its creditability. Nevertheless, she would have to agree we couldn’t have safer flights by merely having two pilots of the same rank in the cockpit. Still the story fell short to validate Ben Golub’s ‘tone’ theory. I stand by what I said without repeating the term Ben Golub claims he is fine with.

My apology to lizzardfire. There was no insult whatsoever. I simply can’t stand seeing you relegating yourself from a new-recruit bubbling with initiatives (impressed with you taking the lead to build the 2010 home page) to a Ben Golub II regurgitating what you were fed before. Rice likes/needs her job. She has to echo whatever Bush says. You don’t. After two terms, is everything you see and hear in Caltech 100% consistent with what you were told before? Be yourself. Have some good sleep tonight and enjoy your E&M tomorrow.

Appreciate those who provided me with information on Confucius and other things for further exploration. For those sarcastic ones telling me I should attend MIT instead; quit while I’m less far behind; and where Wanda Trossler is, etc. I have to steal my father’s line: “Grow up guys, you are not doing any good to your school”

Delighted to read UCLAri’s # 20 and Ben Golub’s #21. In most cases, this is not a reflection of one’s virtue, but an outcome of a predictable phenomenon rather: You can afford modesty when your position is unchallengeable.

Take care everyone.