I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Stephen HawkingRead
We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human intelligence may evolve in ways that could be dangerous or undesirable.
This quote by Stephen Hawking suggests that the potential for intelligent life, including humanity itself, could lead to unexpected and possibly perilous outcomes. It underscores the idea that while intelligence can lead to advancement and progress, it also carries with it the capacity for chaos and destruction, prompting reflection on the moral implications of our own development.
Themes
IntelligenceHumanityEvolutionDangerProgress
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about the future of AI technologies, this quote can illustrate the importance of ethical considerations.
More from Stephen Hawking
All quotes →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.
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I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
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The world has changed far more in the past 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic but technological-technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science. Clearly, no scientist better represents those advances than Albert Einstein: TIME's Person of the Century.
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In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
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The cyclic universe theory predicts no gravitational waves from the early universe.
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