In this era we are being introduced with so many questions related to the Universe. Which are necessary for the survival of human beings.
Similarly, Stephen Hawking has tried to give a brief explanation of each curious questions related to the cosmos. Unfortunately, his work published posthumously but many of the answers are taken from his interviews and articles.
In this book, Hawking has tried to expand our understanding of the universe and unraveled some of its greatest mysteries. There are total 10 questions in this book.
• Is there a God ?
By answering this question, Hawking tells that people clings to religion, because it gives comfort, and they do not trust or understand science. For that he gives an example of Aristarchus. Who studies the heaven and gives the solutions of eclipses - As the shadow of the Earth passing over the moon.
For Hawking / Einstein the universe is made up of mass and energy. - E= mc square. In conclusion he says that, this question it self makes no sense. As no one created the universe and no one directs our fate.
• How Did It All Begin ?
Many province of religion argues that God created the universe. Here one question arises that What was God doing before he made the world?
To explain this, he emphasizes on Big Bang Theory.
• Is There Other Intelligent Life In The Universe ?
According to him, one needs to understand DNA of human beings. In nutshell he frankly answers that if there is intelligent life elsewhere, it must be a very long way away otherwise it would have visited Earth by now.
• Can We Predict The Future ?
Most of the time we hear about the Astrology. To explain this here Hawking uses the references of various scientists. Like, Heisenberg Planck, John Bell and etc. Thus, some of the theories tells that at a single time one can not know the position and speed of a particle. However, both answers can be given - yes and no. As the laws allow us to predict the future. But in practice the calculations are often too difficult. For Laplace, future can be determined if one knew their positions and speeds at one time.
• What Is Inside A Black Hole ?
Now a days we see news related to the Black Hole. A Black Hole - It has a boundary called the event horizon. It is where gravity is just strong enough to drag light back and prevent it from escaping. To understand it one needs to study Quantum Mechanics. But in simple words one can loose existence.
• Is Time Travel Possible ?
As light travels faster then anything else. So, if one could not go faster than light, then it becomes impossibles to reach at the centre of Galaxy. If general relativity is correct and energy density is positive, time travel is not possible.
• Will We Survive On Earth ?
By explaining this answer, Hawking talks about the immense catastrophe created by the atomic weapons. He points the line from Bhagavad-Gita, " Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. " And the Earth is becoming too small for us. In addition he censures the activities and technologies which affects the climate.
What he really thinks is that either a nuclear confrontation or environmental catastrophe will cripple the Earth at some point in the upcoming years.
• Should We Colonise Space ?
The obvious answer is, it won't solve any of our immediate problems on planet Earth, but it will give us a new perspective on on them and cause us to look outwards rather than inwards. The main aim is it will unite us to face the common challenge.
As Earth is becoming too smaller, there is no any other options. If humanity is to continue for another millions years, our future lies in boldly going where no one else has gone before.
• Will Artificial Intelligence Outsmart Us ?
As we know that Hawking was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease. So, technological advancements proved boon for him. In this book he says that with more powerful technologies such as nuclear weapons, synthetic biology and strong artificial intelligence, we should instead plan ahead and aim to get things right the first time. Our future depends the wisdom of technology.
• How Do We Shape The Future ?
He sees the internet as a source of improvement. Most of the work will be done only by internet.
Mainly he advocates that all young people should be familiar with and confident around scientific subjects. They need to be scientifically literate, and inspired to engage with the developments in science and technology in order to learn more.
In nutshell, I can say that everyone should read this book. Because there are so many answers related to the science. In addition, book provides a new way of thinking, it inspires the students to cultivate the habit of scientific imagination, wisdom of technology and how a human endeavors can make life more interesting. Further, it tries to provide the solution related to clean energy and global warming.
" Be brave, be curious, be determined, overcome the odds. It can be done. "
