Hawking Says Humans Must Go Into Space

neutralino writes "The Associated Press reports that astrophysicist Stephen Hawking wants humans to establish colonies in space in order to ensure the survival of the human race. At a news conference in Hong Kong, Hawking said that 'It is important for the human race to spread out into space for the survival of the species. Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of.'"

Comments

Daddy, why are the Republicans doing this?

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think I've ever seen such a look of misery and dejection on the face of my daughter as I just did a moment ago. She just couldn't understand why the President would be going to Iraq when so many things are wrong in this country. "Doesn't Mr. Bush care about us anymore?" she asked pitifully.

I sat down with her on the sofa and (as calmly as I could) tried to explain to her why the President seems to be abandoning his country. "Honey, I think his boss, Mr. Rove, sent Mr. Bush out of the country in order to keep himself out of the newspapers. You see, he wasn't sure if he was going to be arrested today or not, and so he planned Mr. Bush's trip ahead of time just in case..."

I tried to keep my voice steady, but it became increasingly difficult - the rage and feelings of helplessness were just too much. I think my daughter could tell something was wrong. I found myself at such a loss for words - nothing made any sense; nothing makes sense anymore. I finally had to admit, "Honey, I just don't know - I don't know what's going on in this country anymore..."

When I finished her lower lip started to tremble and her eyes began to fill with tears, "Daddy" she said, "why are the Republicans doing this to the country?" Well, that was it for me: I finally fell apart. She just fell into my arms and we both began sobbing for several minutes.

For once she had to comfort me and get me back on my feet. Sometimes I just think it's too much, but seeing the strength in my young daughter's voice helped me to get through.

(M4d pr0ps to CheChe!)

Mel Brooks...

[Anonymous Coward]

If the first colony is made up of jews. Mel Brooks should get a Nobel Peace Prize for forward thinking...

aweso83 fp

[Anonymous Coward]

youG down. It was Don't be a sling Faster chip

Re:Poor solution

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, only the west suffers from a sense of loneliness and lack of direction.

Move to China and see how wonderfully pollution-free the orient is! I bet they aren't even lonely, either!

You're one stupid mother fucker.

Re:The irony is

[gronofer]

Or accept that it's perhaps better that humans don't survive.

Go back to your video games and Star Trek, people.

The East is not all that it is cracked up to be

[Anonymous Coward]

Does Alan Watts talk about the Hindu caste system?

Re:Right now?

[tinker_taylor]

Unfortunately, the Human race has a mode of existence akin to Cancer cells (if there were to be a creature much larger than us -- as we are compared to cancer cells -- we'd look like cancer cells to them).

Sure, go into space and spread the disease of greed, over-consumption, mindless materialism -- instead of trying to fix things and harmonize with nature (right here on Earth first)! :\

Is Hawking...

[exp(pi*sqrt(163))]

...an expert on space exploration? Or even just exploration? Is he an expert on predicting political and economic events? Does he have a proven track record in past socio-political events leading up to migrations? Is he an expert in space engineering? In organizing colonization? Is he any of these things? He's pretty good at physics and mathematics? (Though I have to say it took him a long time to figure out that information isn't lost at the event horizon so he's not that good.) Is there any crossover from these skills to the other domains of expertise that I mention?

If not, then why is his opinion being so widely reported?