"We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special"
- Stephen Hawking
About this Quote
In this quote, popular physicist Stephen Hawking is highlighting the unique abilities of people. He recommends that despite our modest origins as a types, being descendants of monkeys on a little planet orbiting a typical star, we possess the remarkable capability to understand the vastness and intricacy of the Universe. This sets us apart from all other known creatures and makes us really special. Hawking's words remind us that in spite of our restrictions and imperfections, we have the potential to attain terrific things and open the mysteries of the world around us. It is a testimony to the incredible power of the human mind and our endless curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
"Wonder if there is life on another planet? Let's suppose there is. Suppose further, that only one star in a trillion has a planet that could support life. If that were the case, then there would be at least 100 million planets that harbored life"
"It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small"
"Now, we put out a lot of carbon dioxide every year, over 26 billion tons. For each American, it's about 20 tons. For people in poor countries, it's less than one ton. It's an average of about five tons for everyone on the planet. And, somehow, we have to make changes that will bring that down to zero"
"I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of the miracle that is a human being"
"We're looking at Earth science, observing our planet. Also space science, looking at the ozone in the atmosphere around our Earth. Also looking at life science. And on a human level, using ourselves as test subjects"
"All the things that human beings suffer from are how their environment treats them, and how the elements of their planet affects their mind and body - like radiation, cancer, and all"
