I met Stephen in 2023 at some MIT AI conference. He was the kindest, most grandfatherly person. I was expecting to meet a relatively pontifical person given some of his work, but he was such the opposite that I was completely taken aback. I spent two hours that evening with him and a small group of people talking about language and maths and so on. (He was very kind to let me take a photo: https://postimg.cc/LYmVCs0G)
That conversation had a tremendous impact on me and completely changed my attitude towards meeting new people.
I am heartbroken for him and his family. And I can see that kind / heartfelt / grandfatherly nature throughout this memoriam.
And please, God, let me die with my wife like John Nash did in that NJ Turnpike taxi crash.
An aged uncle of mine (who loved his wife very much) once said, "I hope she goes before me. I'd never want her to face the pain of my leaving". Such love.
But think what your wife would have to go through if you passed earlier. It is that thought that makes me want to out last my wife, but in a state where I am useful in some way.
> And please, God, let me die with my wife like John Nash did in that
> NJ Turnpike taxi crash.
I feel you. My worst fear in life is surviving my wife of so far 20 years. I hope that we both reach 80 years old and sit next to each other in rocking chairs and let the days pass by.
That conversation had a tremendous impact on me and completely changed my attitude towards meeting new people.
I am heartbroken for him and his family. And I can see that kind / heartfelt / grandfatherly nature throughout this memoriam.
And please, God, let me die with my wife like John Nash did in that NJ Turnpike taxi crash.