Does Stephen Hawkings idea that matter is being destroyed affect the idea of the big bang?

Answer 1

You do realize, I hope, that Hawking no longer says that. Fairly publicly, in fact.

Three years ago, at a conference in Ireland, Hawking revised his theory on black holes, allowing that information was retained and emitted through Hawking Radiation. Just in a mangled form that we may never be able to decode.

He even made good on his bet with John Preskill, and parted with an encyclopedia on baseball as Preskill's reward for winning their wager.

Answer 2

Yes! If matter is not destroyed or created it just manipulated and he states that is is being destroyed...