We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
Imaginary time is a new dimension, at right angles to ordinary, real time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imaginary time provides a theoretical framework that contrasts with our traditional understanding of time.
In this quote, Stephen Hawking introduces the concept of imaginary time, suggesting that it offers a new perspective on the nature of time itself. Unlike ordinary time, which is linear and subject to relativity, imaginary time exists in a dimension that could potentially allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the universe, challenging our conventional notions and opening up new possibilities in theoretical physics.
Themes
Imaginary TimeDimensionTheoryPhysicsUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on theoretical physics, this quote can be used to explain concepts of time.
More from Stephen Hawking
All quotes βI 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
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.
Stephen HawkingRead
I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
Stephen HawkingRead
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.
Stephen HawkingRead
In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
Stephen HawkingRead
Similar quotes
The bedrock nature of space and time and the unification of cosmos and quantum are surely among science's great 'open frontiers.' These are parts of the intellectual map where we're still groping for the truth - where, in the fashion of ancient cartographers, we must still inscribe 'here be dragons.'
Martin ReesRead
There are many people talking about access to space and, 'How can we make that cheaper? How can we turn that into a Southwest Airlines versus the big airlines?'
Buzz AldrinRead
In the good old days physicists repeated each other's experiments, just to be sure. Today they stick to FORTRAN, so that they can share each other's programs, bugs included.
Edsger DijkstraRead
I think of the brain as a computational device: It has a bunch of little components that perform calculations on some small aspect of the problem, and another part of the brain has to stitch it all together, like a tapestry or a quilt.
Daniel LevitinRead
I don't think that science is complete at all. We don't understand everything, and one can see, within science itself, there are many inconsistencies. We just have to accept that we don't understand.
Charles H. TownesRead
Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been.
Theodore Von KarmanRead