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Hawking: Ditch Earth, Head to Space to Survive

But watch out for the aliens

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2010 3:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – If mankind is to survive we must leave earth for colonies on other planets within the next 100 years, warns renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. "I see big dangers for mankind. Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward looking on planet Earth but to spread out into space," he said in a Big Think interview. "Our future is in space." If we are the "only intelligent beings in the galaxy, we should make sure we survive." And if we encounter aliens in outer space? Be careful, warns Hawking, because they might not be so friendly.

Man's future is in space, says Stephen Hawking.
Man's future is in space, says Stephen Hawking.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking believes man must colonize space within the next 100 years to survive.
Renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking believes man must colonize space within the next 100 years to survive.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
shokndawk
Aug 11, 2010 9:32 PM CDT
Why fear other intelligent lifeforms from other planets? Maybe other planets don't have religion to make them crazy-homicidal. Space is definitely a frontier, but we need to focus on ourselves as humans, and not this cloudy weird funk we happen to be in.
So_Cal_Larry
Aug 11, 2010 4:42 AM CDT
I have very bad news for Dr. Hawking: We are prisoners of this planet. We are not going anywhere anytime in the next century. The liklihood of even going to Mars in the next century is exactly zero. Dr. Hawking should stick to his wrong interpretations of black holes and the event horizon.
MrBrownstone1475
Aug 10, 2010 3:41 PM CDT
Our transformation to a type 1 civilization is absolutely necessary to continue our existence. Much like we foraged the earth for thousands of years, we will have to forage other planets and systems for more sustainable energy as our species increases in size. By the time we can harness the power of a sun, our species will be invincible. Renowned physicist Michio Kaku explains here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXqbi3kaYxg I also recommend watching more of his lectures for more on the matter. Fascinating stuff from a very smart guy.

 
Stephen Hawking • Earth • extrasolar planets • outer space • Stephen Hawking aliens • colonizing planets

 
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