Call number
501 HAW
Collection
Publication
Bantam (2018), 256 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Science. Physics. Nonfiction. HTML:#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER â?˘ The world-famous cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the biggest questions facing humankind. â??Hawkingâ??s parting gift to humanity . . . a book every thinking person worried about humanityâ??s future should read.â?ťâ??NPR NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Forbes â?˘ The Guardian â?˘ Wired Stephen Hawking was the most renowned scientist since Einstein, known both for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology and for his mischievous sense of humor. He educated millions of readers about the origins of the universe and the nature of black holes, and inspired millions more by defying a terrifying early prognosis of ALS, which originally gave him only two years to live. In later life he could communicate only by using a few facial muscles, but he continued to advance his field and serve as a revered voice on social and humanitarian issues. Hawking not only unraveled some of the universeâ??s greatest mysteries but also believed science plays a critical role in fixing problems here on Earth. Now, as we face immense challenges on our planetâ??including climate change, the threat of nuclear war, and the development of artificial intelligenceâ??he turns his attention to the most urgent issues facing us. Will humanity survive? Should we colonize space? Does God exist? â??â??These are just a few of the questions Hawking addresses in this wide-ranging, passionately argued final book from one of the greatest minds in history. Featuring a foreword by Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar playing Stephen Hawking, an introduction by Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne, and an afterword from Hawkingâ??s daughter, Lucy, Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a brilliant last message to the world. Read by Ben Whishaw, with the foreword read by Garrick Hagon and the afterword read by Lucy Hawking Praise for Brief Answers to the Big Questions â??[Hawking is] a symbol of the soaring power of the human mind.â?ťâ??The Washington Post â??Hawkingâ??s final message to readers . . . is a hopeful one.â?ťâ??CNN â??Brisk, lucid peeks into the future of science and of humanity.â?ťâ??The Wall Street Journal â??Hawking pulls no punches on subjects like machines taking over, the biggest threat to Earth, and the possibilities of intelligent life in space.â?ťâ??Quartz â??Effortlessly instructive, absorbing, up to the minute andâ??where it mattersâ??witty.â?ťâ??The Guardian â??This beautiful little book… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member antao
“Is there any point in hosting a party for time travelers? Would you hope anyone would turn up?
Hawking’s answer: In 209 I held a party for time travelers in my college, Gonville and Caius in Cambridge, for a film about time travel. To ensure that only genuine time travelers came, I didn’t
In “Brief Answers to the Big Questions – The Final Book” by Stephen Hawking.
I'm not really asking a question - a lot of what Hawking talks about really isn't even theoretically testable. Theoretical physics does tend in that direction - often it talks about ideas that are not testable yet, and may not be for a long time, or which are mathematical speculation as much as observation.
These kinds of ideas get included in "science" because historically they have often born fruit within the limits of science over time. It's part of the process.
Some ideas, however, are not even theoretically testable. (I'm not sure why you'd think they were as that is not something anyone who studies theory of science will tell you, or any good scientist.) They really are just mathematical speculations, and as such they are not science at all. Mathematical speculations about the nature of the universe are philosophy, not science.
As for science being the only way to advance understanding, science depends on the assumption of a rational universe, which has all kinds of implications outside of science itself. Science certainly doesn't make any claim of that kind. What you are talking about is logical positivism, which is a pretty controversial, some would go so far as to say discredited, philosophical position (not a scientific proposition btw, that being part of the reason it's got problems.)
Firstly, theoretical physicists come up with theories, and on the very edge of the subject come up with concepts, but even these concepts like the multiverse are based on sound theoretical reasons. Experimental physicists devise ways in which these theories and concepts can be tested. The ideas are included in science because they are science and the reason they often bear fruit is because they are based on sound principles to begin with. And science assumes nothing other than what it already knows to be true. It works on the principle that the laws of physics are universal. And logical positivism came about to stop confusion of the very sort you seem set on introducing. And no it's not controversial, and it's certainly not discredited, it was part of a process of logical thought which was derived from previous processes and added to by subsequent processes.
It's really unbelievable what Stephen Hawking achieved in his life. From formulating an entirely new form of energy, completely theoretically, and getting it named after him, to making the most bizarre objects in the cosmos, black holes, common discussion subjects for lay people. To do all this while suffering a death sentence from his degenerative motor neuron disease is a stupendous achievement.
Whether his views on God or AI have any relevance is debatable. His understanding of God is no more or less valid than anyone else's, and his predictions on AI are pure speculation.
NB: Closed Time-like Curves = Time Travel.
Hawking’s answer: In 209 I held a party for time travelers in my college, Gonville and Caius in Cambridge, for a film about time travel. To ensure that only genuine time travelers came, I didn’t
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send out the invitation until after the party. On the day of the party, I sat in college, hoping but no one came. I was disappointed, but not surprised, because I had shown that if general relativity is correct and energy density is positive, time travel is not possible. I would have been delighted if one of my assumptions had turned out to be wrong.”In “Brief Answers to the Big Questions – The Final Book” by Stephen Hawking.
I'm not really asking a question - a lot of what Hawking talks about really isn't even theoretically testable. Theoretical physics does tend in that direction - often it talks about ideas that are not testable yet, and may not be for a long time, or which are mathematical speculation as much as observation.
These kinds of ideas get included in "science" because historically they have often born fruit within the limits of science over time. It's part of the process.
Some ideas, however, are not even theoretically testable. (I'm not sure why you'd think they were as that is not something anyone who studies theory of science will tell you, or any good scientist.) They really are just mathematical speculations, and as such they are not science at all. Mathematical speculations about the nature of the universe are philosophy, not science.
As for science being the only way to advance understanding, science depends on the assumption of a rational universe, which has all kinds of implications outside of science itself. Science certainly doesn't make any claim of that kind. What you are talking about is logical positivism, which is a pretty controversial, some would go so far as to say discredited, philosophical position (not a scientific proposition btw, that being part of the reason it's got problems.)
Firstly, theoretical physicists come up with theories, and on the very edge of the subject come up with concepts, but even these concepts like the multiverse are based on sound theoretical reasons. Experimental physicists devise ways in which these theories and concepts can be tested. The ideas are included in science because they are science and the reason they often bear fruit is because they are based on sound principles to begin with. And science assumes nothing other than what it already knows to be true. It works on the principle that the laws of physics are universal. And logical positivism came about to stop confusion of the very sort you seem set on introducing. And no it's not controversial, and it's certainly not discredited, it was part of a process of logical thought which was derived from previous processes and added to by subsequent processes.
It's really unbelievable what Stephen Hawking achieved in his life. From formulating an entirely new form of energy, completely theoretically, and getting it named after him, to making the most bizarre objects in the cosmos, black holes, common discussion subjects for lay people. To do all this while suffering a death sentence from his degenerative motor neuron disease is a stupendous achievement.
Whether his views on God or AI have any relevance is debatable. His understanding of God is no more or less valid than anyone else's, and his predictions on AI are pure speculation.
NB: Closed Time-like Curves = Time Travel.
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LibraryThing member billsearth
This is one of the most impressive books I've read all year. Hawking truly delves into the big questions in a clear understandable way and without equations or the need to know high math.
After covering the history of the universe he delves into likely futures for both the universe and humans. He
The book is so clearly written that it is usable by any person of upper middle school age through adulthood. He discusses alternative interpretations on topics where there are still some competing ideas among experts. he delves into probabilities in a rational expert manner. At the end of the book Hawkings lists topics that are currently still being worked out.
Hawkings discussion about humans and intelligence is very insightful.
After covering the history of the universe he delves into likely futures for both the universe and humans. He
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also covers the chronology of factual knowledge about the universe.The book is so clearly written that it is usable by any person of upper middle school age through adulthood. He discusses alternative interpretations on topics where there are still some competing ideas among experts. he delves into probabilities in a rational expert manner. At the end of the book Hawkings lists topics that are currently still being worked out.
Hawkings discussion about humans and intelligence is very insightful.
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LibraryThing member jrthebutler
The world-famous cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time leaves us with his final thoughts on the biggest questions facing humankind.
LibraryThing member fpagan
This final book by the late professor is easily readable for all, devoid of endnotes or bibliography, optimistic, and inclusive of few surprises for those familiar with past writings by and about him (on religion, the Big Bang, black holes, time travel, exo-life, and so on). On how to shape the
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future, he emphasizes colonization of other planets and the development of (safely controlled) artificial intelligence. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmckeown
When I was young, the Christmas presents I coveted the most were a Junior Chemistry Set and a telescope. I read as many books on science as I could. Unfortunately, my math skills resulted in little more than adding two-digit numbers. There was nearly zero chance of a career in science. Despite this
There is something about the “voice” of his writing that is not condescending, but relaxing, gentle, and mesmerizing. The book begins with an introduction and brief biography, which crowned Hawking as “the most renowned scientist since Einstein, known both for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology and for his mischievous sense of humor,” according to the dust jacket. He even appeared as himself on several episodes of the hysterically funny comedy, The Big-Bang Theory.
Hawking starts off with “Why We Must Ask the Big Questions.” He wrote, “People have always wanted answers to the big questions. Where did we come from? How did the universe begin? What is the meaning and design behind it all? Is there anyone out there? The creation accounts of the past now seem less relevant and credible. They have been replaced with a variety of what can only be called superstitions, ranging from New Age to Star Trek. But real science can be far stranger than science fiction, and much more satisfying” (3).
He starts off boldly with a question as controversial as it is fascinating: IS THERE A GOD? Stephen wrote, “Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion. Religion was an early attempt to answer the questions we all ask: why are we here, where did we come from? Long ago, the answer was always the same: gods made everything. The world was a scary place, so even people as tough as the Vikings believed in supernatural beings to make sense of natural of phenomena like lighting, storms or eclipses. Nowadays, science provides better and more consistent answers, but people will always ling to religion, because it gives comfort, and they do not trust or understand science” (25).
Of course, Stephen raises another more than interesting question. He wrote, “I would like to speculate a little on the development of life in the universe, and in particular on the development of intelligent life. I shall take this to include the human race, even though much of its behavior throughout history has been pretty stupid and not calculated to aid the survival of the species” (67).
Hawking does not pull any punches. His manner is matter of fact, and to the point. Some other mind-bending questions he poses and thoroughly disposes of include: “How Did It All Begin?” “Can we predict the future?” “What is inside a black hole?” and one that worries me, “Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?”
These and other questions are challenging to scientists and non-scientists alike. Stephen Hawking will be missed, but, like Einstein, his work has opened new secrets of the universe, and it may take decades to prove some his hypotheses. His latest book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, is undoubtedly a challenge. But it is well worth the effort to learn something about the universe. 5 stars
--Chiron, 10/30/18
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disappointment, I have never given up reading about the latest discoveries in the cosmos and in physics. Of course, Stephen Hawking became my hero when I read his first book, A Brief History of Time. While my eyes glazed over at the math, I still could not get enough. Stephen died this year despite a crippling disease known as ALS. He was given only a few years to live when he was in his early 20s. He lived far longer than predicted. Now, he has a new book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions. There is something about the “voice” of his writing that is not condescending, but relaxing, gentle, and mesmerizing. The book begins with an introduction and brief biography, which crowned Hawking as “the most renowned scientist since Einstein, known both for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology and for his mischievous sense of humor,” according to the dust jacket. He even appeared as himself on several episodes of the hysterically funny comedy, The Big-Bang Theory.
Hawking starts off with “Why We Must Ask the Big Questions.” He wrote, “People have always wanted answers to the big questions. Where did we come from? How did the universe begin? What is the meaning and design behind it all? Is there anyone out there? The creation accounts of the past now seem less relevant and credible. They have been replaced with a variety of what can only be called superstitions, ranging from New Age to Star Trek. But real science can be far stranger than science fiction, and much more satisfying” (3).
He starts off boldly with a question as controversial as it is fascinating: IS THERE A GOD? Stephen wrote, “Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion. Religion was an early attempt to answer the questions we all ask: why are we here, where did we come from? Long ago, the answer was always the same: gods made everything. The world was a scary place, so even people as tough as the Vikings believed in supernatural beings to make sense of natural of phenomena like lighting, storms or eclipses. Nowadays, science provides better and more consistent answers, but people will always ling to religion, because it gives comfort, and they do not trust or understand science” (25).
Of course, Stephen raises another more than interesting question. He wrote, “I would like to speculate a little on the development of life in the universe, and in particular on the development of intelligent life. I shall take this to include the human race, even though much of its behavior throughout history has been pretty stupid and not calculated to aid the survival of the species” (67).
Hawking does not pull any punches. His manner is matter of fact, and to the point. Some other mind-bending questions he poses and thoroughly disposes of include: “How Did It All Begin?” “Can we predict the future?” “What is inside a black hole?” and one that worries me, “Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?”
These and other questions are challenging to scientists and non-scientists alike. Stephen Hawking will be missed, but, like Einstein, his work has opened new secrets of the universe, and it may take decades to prove some his hypotheses. His latest book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, is undoubtedly a challenge. But it is well worth the effort to learn something about the universe. 5 stars
--Chiron, 10/30/18
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LibraryThing member howzzit
Yes, but he doesn't include a discussion regarding free will ...
LibraryThing member jfe16
Encouraging readers to “be brave, be curious, be determined,” Stephen Hawking tackles some of humanity’s biggest questions. From the existence of God to the beginning of everything, from other intelligent life in the universe to predicting the future, here readers can investigate some of the
Highly recommended.
Appended in this Barnes and Noble Special Edition is an Appreciation section including tributes delivered by Lord Rees, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Tom Nabarro, Yuri Milner, and Professor Fay Dowker at London’s Westminster Cathedral during the 15 June 2018 memorial service for Stephen Hawking.
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final thoughts of the world-famous cosmologist. Eminently readable, the passionately argued, thought-provoking comments in Hawking’s final book will leave readers with much to consider.Highly recommended.
Appended in this Barnes and Noble Special Edition is an Appreciation section including tributes delivered by Lord Rees, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Tom Nabarro, Yuri Milner, and Professor Fay Dowker at London’s Westminster Cathedral during the 15 June 2018 memorial service for Stephen Hawking.
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LibraryThing member writemoves
This is a book that should be read in every science class, every philosophy class and by the public at large. The book is a little over 200 pages but there is a law of knowledge and insight packed into it. Hawking discusses the existence of God, the origin of life, the possibility of intelligent
Listed below are my notes from this book…
One could define God as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of as God. They mean a human like being, with whom you can have a personal relationship. When you look at the vast size of the universe, and how insignificant and accidental human life is in it, that seems most implausible.
I think the universe was spontaneously created out of nothing, according to the laws of science.
Time didn't exist before the Big Bang so there is no time for God to make the universe in.
No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization: there is probably no heaven and afterlife either.
I think that when we die we return to dust.
Is there intelligent life on earth? But seriously, if there is intelligent life elsewhere, it must be a very long way away otherwise it would have visited Earth by now. And I think we would've known if we had been visited; it would be like the film Independence Day.
But we need to be wary of answering back until we have developed a bit further. Meeting a more advanced civilization, at our present stage, might be a bit like the original inhabitants of America meeting Columbus – – and I don't think they were better off for it.
The earth is under threat from so many areas that it is difficult for me to be positive. The threats are too big and too numerous. First, the earth is becoming too small for us. Our physical resources are being drained at an alarming rate.
It is time to explore other solar systems. Spreading out maybe the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave Earth. If we say, we risk being annihilated.
Why are we so worried about artificial intelligence? Surely humans are always able to pull the plug? People asked a computer, "is there a God?" And the computer said, "there is now," and fused the plug.
What world changing idea, small or big, would you like to see implemented by humanity? This is easy. I would like to see the development of fusion power to give an unlimited supply of clean energy, and switch to electric cars. Nuclear fusion would become a practical power source and would provide us with an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.
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life in the universe and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence among other subjects.Listed below are my notes from this book…
One could define God as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of as God. They mean a human like being, with whom you can have a personal relationship. When you look at the vast size of the universe, and how insignificant and accidental human life is in it, that seems most implausible.
I think the universe was spontaneously created out of nothing, according to the laws of science.
Time didn't exist before the Big Bang so there is no time for God to make the universe in.
No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization: there is probably no heaven and afterlife either.
I think that when we die we return to dust.
Is there intelligent life on earth? But seriously, if there is intelligent life elsewhere, it must be a very long way away otherwise it would have visited Earth by now. And I think we would've known if we had been visited; it would be like the film Independence Day.
But we need to be wary of answering back until we have developed a bit further. Meeting a more advanced civilization, at our present stage, might be a bit like the original inhabitants of America meeting Columbus – – and I don't think they were better off for it.
The earth is under threat from so many areas that it is difficult for me to be positive. The threats are too big and too numerous. First, the earth is becoming too small for us. Our physical resources are being drained at an alarming rate.
It is time to explore other solar systems. Spreading out maybe the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave Earth. If we say, we risk being annihilated.
Why are we so worried about artificial intelligence? Surely humans are always able to pull the plug? People asked a computer, "is there a God?" And the computer said, "there is now," and fused the plug.
What world changing idea, small or big, would you like to see implemented by humanity? This is easy. I would like to see the development of fusion power to give an unlimited supply of clean energy, and switch to electric cars. Nuclear fusion would become a practical power source and would provide us with an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.
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LibraryThing member auntmarge64
Hawking's final book, finished by his family and various scientists. Here he puts in perspective his thoughts on
- the need for, or even the existence of, a god
- how the universe began
- the possibility of other intelligent life in the universe
- whether the future can be predicted
- what is in black
- the possibility of time travel
- the chances of humans surviving if they stay on Earth
- whether we should colonize space
- whether artificial intelligence will outsmart us
- how we can shape the future
The book is an excellent overview of where his work and interests stood when he died earlier this year, and it's well worth working through the sections that might be hard for a layperson. Other reviewers have stated that there are some inaccuracies scattered about, but as a layperson myself, interested in but not particularly educated in physics and cosmology, I wouldn't recognize them or remember them. In other words, I didn't find them a problem (and I have to imagine the errors were not Dr. Hawking's).
The most surprising section discussed Hawking's concern about the rise of artificial intelligence. As much as he relied on, and applauded, the benefits of AI and electronic devices, he also had fears: "If computers continue to obey Moore's Law, doubling their speed and memory capacity every eighteen months, the result is that computers are likely to overtake humans in intelligence at some point in the next hundred years. When an artificial intelligence (AI) becomes better than humans at AI design, so that it can recursively improve itself without human help, we may face a intelligence explosion that ultimately results in machines whose intelligence exceeds ours by more than ours exceeds that of snails. When that happens, we will need to ensure that the computers have goals aligned with ours. It's tempting to dismiss the notion of highly intelligence machines as mere science fiction, but this would be a mistake, and potentially our worst mistake ever....One can image such technology outsmarting financial markets, out-inventing human researchers, out-manipulating human leaders and potentially subduing us with weapons we cannot even understand. Whereas the short-term impact of AI depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all."
His daughter ends the book with a very sweet description of her life with him as a father and his funeral and burial. Highly recommended.
- the need for, or even the existence of, a god
- how the universe began
- the possibility of other intelligent life in the universe
- whether the future can be predicted
- what is in black
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holes- the possibility of time travel
- the chances of humans surviving if they stay on Earth
- whether we should colonize space
- whether artificial intelligence will outsmart us
- how we can shape the future
The book is an excellent overview of where his work and interests stood when he died earlier this year, and it's well worth working through the sections that might be hard for a layperson. Other reviewers have stated that there are some inaccuracies scattered about, but as a layperson myself, interested in but not particularly educated in physics and cosmology, I wouldn't recognize them or remember them. In other words, I didn't find them a problem (and I have to imagine the errors were not Dr. Hawking's).
The most surprising section discussed Hawking's concern about the rise of artificial intelligence. As much as he relied on, and applauded, the benefits of AI and electronic devices, he also had fears: "If computers continue to obey Moore's Law, doubling their speed and memory capacity every eighteen months, the result is that computers are likely to overtake humans in intelligence at some point in the next hundred years. When an artificial intelligence (AI) becomes better than humans at AI design, so that it can recursively improve itself without human help, we may face a intelligence explosion that ultimately results in machines whose intelligence exceeds ours by more than ours exceeds that of snails. When that happens, we will need to ensure that the computers have goals aligned with ours. It's tempting to dismiss the notion of highly intelligence machines as mere science fiction, but this would be a mistake, and potentially our worst mistake ever....One can image such technology outsmarting financial markets, out-inventing human researchers, out-manipulating human leaders and potentially subduing us with weapons we cannot even understand. Whereas the short-term impact of AI depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all."
His daughter ends the book with a very sweet description of her life with him as a father and his funeral and burial. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member erwinkennythomas
Stephen Hawking’s Brief Answers to the Big Questions is undoubtedly a very compelling book. The author explained why knowing the big answers were important. As an astrophysicist he examined many questions that people would ask about God, nature, and the universe. As an atheist who suffered from
Hawking thought that it was a good idea to colonize space. He bemoaned the fact that explorations to outer space has come to a standstill. And he mentioned how little was spent on such ventures, still he emphasized it was a bad idea for governments to continue to shrink the budgets for science. It was explained how space and energy were spontaneously invented in the event people now referred to as the Big Bang.
This scientific writer reiterated how much of the knowledge of the universe came about as the results of greater tools of discovery, particle accelerators, supercomputers, space telescopes, and experiments as the LIGO labs work on gravitational waves. But he gave credit to Albert Einstein other scientists for blazing the trail. Hawking also asked the question, “Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?” About AI he felt that it was necessary to have adequate guidelines for its development and use. Being an optimist he wrote that mankind should be able to have the necessary controls in place to deal with avoiding a nuclear war, global warming, and the rising population growth in the next millennium.
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ALS he didn’t believe in an afterlife. In the chapter that discussed, “Is there a God?” Hawking showed scientifically how that was an impossibility.Hawking thought that it was a good idea to colonize space. He bemoaned the fact that explorations to outer space has come to a standstill. And he mentioned how little was spent on such ventures, still he emphasized it was a bad idea for governments to continue to shrink the budgets for science. It was explained how space and energy were spontaneously invented in the event people now referred to as the Big Bang.
This scientific writer reiterated how much of the knowledge of the universe came about as the results of greater tools of discovery, particle accelerators, supercomputers, space telescopes, and experiments as the LIGO labs work on gravitational waves. But he gave credit to Albert Einstein other scientists for blazing the trail. Hawking also asked the question, “Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?” About AI he felt that it was necessary to have adequate guidelines for its development and use. Being an optimist he wrote that mankind should be able to have the necessary controls in place to deal with avoiding a nuclear war, global warming, and the rising population growth in the next millennium.
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LibraryThing member Rex_Lui
Finally finished the final work of Professor Stephen Hawking. The final message is clean and neat through ten questions for our humanities. The first six questions roughly summarize professor's scientific works for his entire life. The last four questions are the responses for human challenges
I am extremely fortunate that he was my grandmaster since I was eleven. "The Brief History of Time" was the first book that I bought all by my own, not textbook from school, not required text, nor my parents' recommendation. It changed my life and opened my brain for a whole new vision.
While Hawking will still be shining like a star in the sky for the next one thousand year, the final three paragraphs of this book could be a final poem of his entire life:
"This is not the end of the story, but just the beginning of what I hope will be billions of years of life fourishing in the cosmos.
And one final point -- we never really know where the next great scientific discovery will come from, nor who will make it. Opening up the thrill and wonder of scientific discovery, creating innovative and accessible ways to reach out to the widest young audience possible, greatly increases the chances of finding and inspiring the new Einstein. Wherever she might be.
So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what make the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up. Unleash your imagination. Shape the future."
I own seven of his works on my bookshelf. I know that for the rest of my life, I will revisit all his works one by one continuously.
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within this and the next decade. I am extremely fortunate that he was my grandmaster since I was eleven. "The Brief History of Time" was the first book that I bought all by my own, not textbook from school, not required text, nor my parents' recommendation. It changed my life and opened my brain for a whole new vision.
While Hawking will still be shining like a star in the sky for the next one thousand year, the final three paragraphs of this book could be a final poem of his entire life:
"This is not the end of the story, but just the beginning of what I hope will be billions of years of life fourishing in the cosmos.
And one final point -- we never really know where the next great scientific discovery will come from, nor who will make it. Opening up the thrill and wonder of scientific discovery, creating innovative and accessible ways to reach out to the widest young audience possible, greatly increases the chances of finding and inspiring the new Einstein. Wherever she might be.
So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what make the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up. Unleash your imagination. Shape the future."
I own seven of his works on my bookshelf. I know that for the rest of my life, I will revisit all his works one by one continuously.
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LibraryThing member FlavioMiguelPereira
Its hard to dont like it, Stephen Hawking uses regular question in a scientific need way to answer them. A good way to remember it
LibraryThing member Pferdina
Surprisingly readable, short essays about all the big questions in cosmology.
LibraryThing member Steve38
A short book of a collection of articles from Mr Hawking on, exactly as he says. the Big Questions. Thr orifing of the universe, time travel. He lost me with even his simplified explanation of quantum physics. But he has an engaging, friendly style and a way of communicating complicated science, He
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is a great advocate of learning for learning's sake. Show Less
LibraryThing member BenKline
This is a treasure to read and a fitting end (as far as things go on a written level) by Stephen Hawking. This sadly took me a while to read, and thats completely on me, not the book, my life has just been hectic, so its been more or less taking ME a while to read this, and not a while for me to
For how dense he can get in his writing at times, this comes off as very easy to read, very simple, and very down to Earth for us non-geniuses. He provides great, witty, intelligent, smart, and decisive answers that elucidate the questions, as well as raise more questions. Which is ultimately the point of asking a question in the first place.
Its a shame we lost Mr. Hawking before we could have gotten more excellent works like this, and before he could continue his work, but at least we know his knowledge will live on, and hopefully inspire many more geniuses and scientists now and in the future.
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READ this.For how dense he can get in his writing at times, this comes off as very easy to read, very simple, and very down to Earth for us non-geniuses. He provides great, witty, intelligent, smart, and decisive answers that elucidate the questions, as well as raise more questions. Which is ultimately the point of asking a question in the first place.
Its a shame we lost Mr. Hawking before we could have gotten more excellent works like this, and before he could continue his work, but at least we know his knowledge will live on, and hopefully inspire many more geniuses and scientists now and in the future.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
I wish I could have met Stephen Hawking. These are big questions that he takes on. He did the impossible -- I almost understand most of his answers. Very enjoyable, even if a bit slow in parts due to me, not his writing.
LibraryThing member Castlelass
In the last book he wrote before his death, Stephen Hawking provides his thoughts on ten of the “big questions” he has been asked frequently over the years:
1. Is there a God?
2. How did [the Universe] begin?
3. What is inside a black hole?
4. Can we predict the future?
5. Is time travel
6. Will we survive on Earth?
7. Is there other intelligent life in the Universe?
8. Should we colonize space?
9. Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
10. How do we shape the future?
This is a book of popular science, written in such a way as to be accessible to those not well-versed in his specialty, theoretical physics. These ten questions are posed in a straight-forward way and contain answers that touch on such complex topics, such as universal relativity, quantum mechanics, scientific determinism, string theory, gravitational waves, and the uncertainty principle. Luckily, the reader does not need a deep knowledge of any of these subjects to benefit from Hawking’s insights.
The book reads as a series of essays, with the occasional repetition. I particularly enjoyed the segments on Artificial Intelligence and finding another habitable planet in space. In addition to the scientific content, Hawking includes a partial autobiography. In relating his experiences, Hawking’s self-deprecating sense of humor shines through. It contains an Introduction by Hawking’s colleague, Kip Thorne, and an Afterword by his daughter, Lucy, describing the last years of his life and funeral.
There are significant warnings in this book, which we would do well to heed. Hawking points out that scientific understanding will be critical to the future of humanity. He provides guidance and points out some of the big challenges. Hawking remains optimistic that our global society, working together, can tackle them.
1. Is there a God?
2. How did [the Universe] begin?
3. What is inside a black hole?
4. Can we predict the future?
5. Is time travel
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possible?6. Will we survive on Earth?
7. Is there other intelligent life in the Universe?
8. Should we colonize space?
9. Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
10. How do we shape the future?
This is a book of popular science, written in such a way as to be accessible to those not well-versed in his specialty, theoretical physics. These ten questions are posed in a straight-forward way and contain answers that touch on such complex topics, such as universal relativity, quantum mechanics, scientific determinism, string theory, gravitational waves, and the uncertainty principle. Luckily, the reader does not need a deep knowledge of any of these subjects to benefit from Hawking’s insights.
The book reads as a series of essays, with the occasional repetition. I particularly enjoyed the segments on Artificial Intelligence and finding another habitable planet in space. In addition to the scientific content, Hawking includes a partial autobiography. In relating his experiences, Hawking’s self-deprecating sense of humor shines through. It contains an Introduction by Hawking’s colleague, Kip Thorne, and an Afterword by his daughter, Lucy, describing the last years of his life and funeral.
There are significant warnings in this book, which we would do well to heed. Hawking points out that scientific understanding will be critical to the future of humanity. He provides guidance and points out some of the big challenges. Hawking remains optimistic that our global society, working together, can tackle them.
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LibraryThing member RaggedyMe
Enjoyed reading sage advice from Hawking.
It was a much quicker read than “A Brief History of Time.” He did a nice job of outlining key discoveries and even nicer at explaining what it means to earthlings. We have work to do, and need to be diligent. I’m so glad he left us with his insights.
It was a much quicker read than “A Brief History of Time.” He did a nice job of outlining key discoveries and even nicer at explaining what it means to earthlings. We have work to do, and need to be diligent. I’m so glad he left us with his insights.
Awards
The British Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — Audio — 2019)
Pages
256
ISBN
1984819194 / 9781984819192