A THREAD on thought provoking ideas by Stephen Hawking:
1/
It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
1/
It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
2/
We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star.
But we can understand the Universe.
That makes us something very special.
We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star.
But we can understand the Universe.
That makes us something very special.
3/
The thing about smart people is that they seem like crazy people to dumb people.
The thing about smart people is that they seem like crazy people to dumb people.
4/
I have spent my life travelling across the universe, inside my mind.
I have spent my life travelling across the universe, inside my mind.
5/
I am just a child who has never grown up.
I still keep asking these ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions.
Occasionally, I find an answer.
I am just a child who has never grown up.
I still keep asking these ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions.
Occasionally, I find an answer.
6/
Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.
Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.
7/
My goal is simple.
It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.
My goal is simple.
It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.
8/
I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die.
I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die.
9/
You cannot understand the glories of the universe without believing there is some Supreme Power behind it.
You cannot understand the glories of the universe without believing there is some Supreme Power behind it.
10/
So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator.
But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be.
What place, then, for a creator?
So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator.
But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be.
What place, then, for a creator?
11/
I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God.
No one created the universe and no one directs our fate.
This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either...
I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God.
No one created the universe and no one directs our fate.
This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either...
...We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe and for that, I am extremely grateful.
12/
When we see the Earth from space, we see ourselves as a whole. We see the unity, and not the divisions.
It is such a simple image with a compelling message; one planet, one human race.
When we see the Earth from space, we see ourselves as a whole. We see the unity, and not the divisions.
It is such a simple image with a compelling message; one planet, one human race.
13/
The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired.
The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired.
14/
If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?
If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?
15/
My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.
My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.
16/
For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals.
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination.
We learned to talk and we learned to listen...
For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals.
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination.
We learned to talk and we learned to listen...
...Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible.
17/
The rate of progress is so rapid that what one learns at school or university is always a bit out of date.
Only a few people can keep up with the rapidly advancing frontier of knowledge, and they have to devote their whole time to it and specialize in a small area...
The rate of progress is so rapid that what one learns at school or university is always a bit out of date.
Only a few people can keep up with the rapidly advancing frontier of knowledge, and they have to devote their whole time to it and specialize in a small area...
...The rest of the population has little idea of the advances that are being made or the excitement they are generating.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
