Life in the Universe (lecture)

Stephen Hawking · c. 1996

The piece opens with

Knowledge passed on outside DNA, in books and other records, should be counted as part of human evolution.

Their wordsI think it is legitimate to take a broader view, and include externally transmitted information, as well as DNA, in the evolution of the human race.

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Stephen Hawking did not write this page.

Every claim below was made in this piece, quoted word for word and numbered in the order the piece makes them, so you can read it there rather than take our word for it. The sentence above each quote is our reading of the claim, not their wording. Each quote was checked against a stored copy of the page at build time; where the two differ, the quote is the fact.

Our reading
Knowledge passed on outside DNA, in books and other records, should be counted as part of human evolution.

Their wordsI think it is legitimate to take a broader view, and include externally transmitted information, as well as DNA, in the evolution of the human race.
Our reading
During the next century people will discover how to modify human intelligence and instincts like aggression.

Their wordsNevertheless, I am sure that during the next century, people will discover how to modify both intelligence, and instincts like aggression.
Our reading
Suggestions that UFOs carry beings from outer space can be discounted; an alien visit would be much more obvious, and probably much more unpleasant.

Their wordsI discount suggestions that UFO's contain beings from outer space. I think any visits by aliens, would be much more obvious, and probably also, much more unpleasant.
Our reading
Humanity should be wary of answering signals from alien civilisations until it has developed further.

Their wordsBut we should have been wary of answering back, until we have develop a bit further. Meeting a more advanced civilisation, at our present stage, might be a bit like the original inhabitants of America meeting Columbus.

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