I feel compelled to respond to the letter titled “Stephen Hawking Confused?” in the June 22 issue submitted by James F. Jackson from Carlisle, Ind. I got a good hearty chuckle from Mr. Jackson’s letter as he attempted to explain to us all how the “Zero-G” 727 simulates zero gravity. I had to think for a minute and decided that to simulate Mr. Jackson’s letter, one would have to explain the math equation <1+1=2> as such: “To arrive at the conclusion that one plus one equals two, one must first be aware that the plus sign indicates that the two ones must be added together (hence the answer of “2”) and NOT placed side by side, which would give an erroneous answer of 11.” My point: I have serious doubts that the brilliant mind of Prof. Stephen Hawking would be anywhere close to confused by such an elementary bit of physics as that which explains the parabolic flight program of “Zero-G.”
As for the Boeing’s name causing confusion, I hope Mr. Jackson never gets around the “Memphis Belle.” He might be over-taxed by the ship’s name, wondering why it doesn’t ring.
MICHAEL TIEMAN
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