The great scientist Stephen Hawking had said that we humans are selfish, greedy, and stupid by nature.
Our own nature in combination with the pollution will lead to the extinction of our species- this is what he believed in. He was well convinced that our species will need a “Planet B” to continue existing.
He once said that even after evolution, human species has become no less stupid or greedy.
According to him, the biggest problem we might face in the future will be that of climate change. He believed that it can be prevented if people were to act immediately.
Hawking studied at Oxford and Cambridge universities and the world knows him for the genius he was. His ground-breaking concepts on the birth of our universe and on black holes changed the entire point of view on science. He has immensely contributed to the scientific fields of general relativity, quantum gravity, and cosmology.
Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s disease very early in life. He was very concerned about where humanity is headed, especially during his last years of life. The scientist repeatedly said that we as a species are not taking the proper actions to tackle climate change.
He was concerned about the increasing rate of air pollution.
Artificial Intelligence was also a cause of concern for him as it can be used globally with wrong intentions. He had warned us that it will become very hard to stop a rogue AI and thus we need to handle it ethically. Stephen Hawking supported AI but at the same time feared that it can be the worst event that human history ever created. He was of the view that AI can severely disrupt our economy too.
The human population at the present growth rate, according to him, will cross eleven billion by 2100.
Seeing all this stupidity and greed in humans, Hawking saw space colonies as the only means of survival for future generations. He also condemned the actions taken by the American President- Donald Trump.
Stephen Hawking said that his actions will lead the Earth to irreversible damage. He warned us that like Venus, our planet’s temperature will grow up to 250 degrees and sulphuric acid will accompany the rain.
In his book “Brief Answers To The Big Questions” that was posthumously published, he takes a slightly different tone. Even though he is afraid of the humans being doomed, he is hopeful about humans being able to prevent it.
Let’s hope he is right in hoping so!
Sources:
a) eu.usatoday.com
b) mavenroundtable.io
c) cnbc.com
