[1] https://www.commoncause.org/democracy-wire/seven-disturbing-... (I know the URL uses loaded words, but it's a DC watchdog group founded by a republican, if that's of any relevance)
Regardless of his politics, nobody deserves to have their death cheered upon (this is definitely what will be soon to come in mainstream media ).
I'm genuinely curious as to why you think that. Death cements his legacy, it doesn't wash it away, no matter how much any of us wishes that were the case.
I also hold them largely responsible for the fact that there even is a climate change debate and that science is looked down upon so heavily in society today. They poured billions in anti climate change propaganda which is going to cost the lives of many millions.
I am happy he is dead, and I don’t say that lightly as I’m unfortunately all to familiar with death.
This gets a pass in the community all the time because people are emotionally attached to some celebrities or their work, especially if there is any overlap with the hacker or tech scene, or if nostalgia is involved. Which is understandable, but still leads to exactly the sort of low-effort discussion we're supposed to avoid.
With Hawking, the announcement of his death should still be off-topic even though one could use the thread as a springboard to discuss physics. Death itself, however, brings no new or interesting phenomenon worth discussing.
Rather than posting articles about his (or anyone's) death, it would be better to post articles related to someone's work, and mention the death in the comments.