News from Cosmic Variance: John Archibald Wheeler passed away this morning.

To me, Wheeler was the greatest surviving name from the epic era of early 20th century physics.

There is no mention yet on any news site–including slashdot. Instead are headlines about the democratic candidates in a ‘Faith Forum.’ No time to note the passing of the father of the H-bomb, the author of a classic book on general relativity, the most profound and beautiful creation of mankind (seriously–quantum theories have greater practical impact, but nothing else achieves so much with such simple premises). No, we have to hear about our presidential candidate’s relationship with a magic man in the sky. Please kill me.

I hope this lack of attention is remedied tomorrow. As the post on Cosmic Variance was from a former student and personal relation, I’m guessing a formal public announcement hasn’t been made yet. He was a great scientist himself, but his legacy as a teacher is almost unparalleled. It would be impossible to measure the net influence his life had on the world, accounting for the knowledge and contagious passion instilled in this students. Alas, I was not one of them. Things would probably be very different…