In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?
Stephen HawkingThe universe and the Laws of Physics seem to have been specifically designed for us. If any one of about 40 physical qualities had more than slightly different values, life as we know it could not exist: Either atoms would not be stable, or they wouldn't combine into molecules, or the stars wouldn't form heavier elements, or the universe would collapse before life could develop, and so on...
Stephen HawkingIf any one of about 40 physical qualities had more than slightly different values, life as we know it could not exist.
Stephen HawkingKeeping an active mind has been vital to my survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humor.
Stephen HawkingThe development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.
Stephen HawkingSo remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and hold on to that childlike wonder about what makes the universe exist.
Stephen HawkingI would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.
Stephen HawkingThere is no way that we can predict the weather six months ahead beyond giving the seasonal average.
Stephen HawkingI believe that the long-term future of the human race must be space and that it represents an important life insurance for our future survival, as it could prevent the disappearance of humanity by colonizing other planets.
Stephen HawkingThe radiation left over from the Big Bang is the same as that in your microwave oven but very much less powerful. It would heat your pizza only to minus 271.3*C - not much good for defrosting the pizza, let alone cooking it.
Stephen HawkingI wouldnt be here today if it were not for the NHS, I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.
Stephen HawkingI don't have much positive to say about motor neuron disease, but it taught me not to pity myself because others were worse off, and to get on with what I still could do. I'm happier now than before I developed the condition.
Stephen HawkingTime and space are finite in extent, but they don't have any boundary or edge. They would be like the surface of the earth, but with two more dimensions.
Stephen HawkingIf one is physically disabled, one cannot afford to be psychologically disabled as well.
Stephen HawkingThe idea of 10 dimensions might sound exciting, but they would cause real problems if you forget where you parked your car.
Stephen HawkingThe human capacity for guilt is such that people can always find ways to blame themselves
Stephen HawkingUnless mankind redesigns itself by changing our DNA through altering our genetic makeup, computer-genera ted robots will take over our world.
Stephen HawkingWith genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process, because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code.
Stephen HawkingOne might think this means that imaginary numbers are just a mathematical game having nothing to do with the real world. From the viewpoint of positivist philosophy, however, one cannot determine what is real. All one can do is find which mathematical models describe the universe we live in. It turns out that a mathematical model involving imaginary time predicts not only effects we have already observed but also effects we have not been able to measure yet nevertheless believe in for other reasons. So what is real and what is imaginary? Is the distinction just in our minds?
Stephen HawkingWe believe human begins have existed for only a small fraction of cosmic history, because human race has been improving so rapidly in knowledge and technology that if people had been around for millions of years, the human race would be much further along in it's mastery.
Stephen HawkingI’m not religious in the normal sense. I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science. The laws may have been decreed by God, but God does not intervene to break the laws.
Stephen HawkingIf I have questions about the universe on my mind when I go to bed, I can't turn off. I dream equations all night.
Stephen HawkingYou may see a cup of tea fall off a table and break into pieces on the floor... But you will never see the cup gather itself back together and jump back on the table. The increase of disorder, or entropy, is what distinguishes the past from the future, giving a direction to time.
Stephen HawkingBecause there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing.
Stephen HawkingOne of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn't exist.....Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist
Stephen HawkingBecause imaginary time behaves like another direction in space, histories in imaginary time can be closed surfaces, like the surface of the Earth, with no [existential] beginning or end.
Stephen HawkingIf what we regard as real depends on our theory, how can we make reality the basis of our philosophy? But we cannot distinguish what is real about the universe without a theory. It makes no sense to ask if it corresponds to reality, because we do not know what reality is independent of a theory.
Stephen HawkingHumanities deepest desire for knowledge is justification enough for continuing our quest. and our goal is nothing less than a complete description of the universe we live in.
Stephen HawkingI think those who have a terminal illness and are in great pain should have the right to choose to end their own life, and those that help them should be free from prosecution.
Stephen Hawking