One of the most relevant and intelligent scientists of our times next to Einstein passed away on the 14th of March 2018, a day on which his own inspiration was born. Yes, Stephen Hawking died on Albert Einstein’s birthday which is an irony of sorts. But, what is comforting and no less inspiring to know is that the man who was struck down after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease at 21, lived a full life surpassing his physically challenged body to produce some of the most brilliant scientific theories and papers of his time. In an interview that not many know about, Stephen Hawking’s warning to Trump is an eerie one that could actually come true.
Hawking was 76 when he died in the early hours of last Wednesday the 14th of March. His failing body was slowly succumbing to his condition where he had also lost the use of his voice and had to use a voice synthesizer. Hawking was credited with many firsts in the scientific community that included the first theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics. He also discovered how black holes leaked energy and fades away, a phenomenon that was named after him called Hawking radiation.
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Hawking was a staunch supporter of environmental protection and warned how the planet was headed for doom. The three main factors that threatened our planet was global warming, nuclear weapons and genetically engineered viruses.
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Speaking at a BBC Reith lecture he explained how earth is headed for disaster in the next 10,000 years and humans could be wiped out in future. "Most of the threats we face come from the progress we’ve made in science and technology". He also felt that engineered viruses would soon spread attacking human’s immunity making it hard to resist such strains of bacteria.
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Speaking to the BBC her warned how artificial intelligence could spell doom for humans. He said while present primitive forms of AI were helping us; the consequences of creating AI that could match humans would end in disaster. He felt that Humans limited by bodily biology and physiology would be superseded by Artificial Intelligence.
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In spite of his physical limitations, he went on to produce one of the finest books in science that even a laymen can understand, His “brief history of time” proved to be one of the worlds largest bestsellers which would most probably see a surge this week. Following his death, many are taking Hawking’s words seriously included what is being regarded virally as Stephen Hawking’s warning to president Trump.
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When asked his opinion on Presidents Trumps withdrawal from the Paris Climate agreement, and the effect on the planet, Hawking said, “We are close to the tipping point where global warming could become irreversible. Trumps action could push Erath over the brink to become like Venus with a temperature of 250 degrees with rain like sulphuric acid. Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it's one we can prevent if we act now,"
"By denying the evidence for climate change, and pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, Donald Trump will cause avoidable environmental damage to our beautiful planet, endangering the natural world, for us and our children."
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When asked by his interviewer if humanity will resolve its environmental and social problems and if evolution will take humans to higher levels of understanding or are our days numbered? Hawking replied that Evolution built greed and aggression into the human genome where there is no lessening of conflict and nuclear weapons technology. Earth’s only hope is independent colonies in space.
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Prior to Trump’s election, Hawking said he could not explain how Trump was elected as president of the United States and described him "a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator."
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Hawking replied that he wished for a cure on motor neuron disease or at least something that could halt its progression. Hawking was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis but he rose above his disease saying that after he was diagnosed with the condition, he was given 3 years to live. But, after 54 years, he was producing scientific papers instead. Although it was a great struggle for him, he managed with the love and support of his family and friends.
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Hawking has several times issued stark and grim warnings to humanity and the disastrous effects of global warming on the planet. He felt that the present dangers were engineered viruses, artificial intelligence, weapons of mass destruction, global warming and climate change and of course people like Donald Trump.
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When asked what he would like to be remembered for as his biggest legacy, Hawking replied that it was his discovery that black holes weren’t really black. His research on black holes revealed unexpected results which he hoped would now serve as a key to resolve the paradox between quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity. Although Hawking did not receive a Nobel Prize for his path-breaking research simply because of lack of physical evidence, he is still regarded as one of the greatest minds in the history of science. You can watch the interview in the video below.