In boycotting one of the premier science events of the year, in one of the most inventive nations in the world, Stephen Hawking shows that there is something that can keep him from contributing. Even while suffering for years from Lou Gehrig's disease, Stephen Hawking has contributed more to the cosmological literature than any other individual in history, save Albert Einstein. In refusing to attend a major scientific conference in Israel, Dr. Hawking demonstrates that his grasp of things more worldly is less firm.
Hawking admitted that he decided to skip the conference after conferring with Palestinian colleagues. Certainly their victory is a major coup. This brief article discusses both sides' views.
Scientific decisions based on political motivations is part of what makes this country slow to innovate. Hopefully Hawking's decision will not be repeated by him, or others, in the future. Hopefully it will not inspire leaders in this country to be even more apt to put politics before progress.
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