We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
Before I lost my voice, it was slurred, so only those close to me could understand, but with the computer voice, I found I could give popular lectures. I enjoy communicating science. It is important that the public understands basic science, if they are not to leave vital decisions to others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Communication of science is essential for informed decision-making.
Stephen Hawking emphasizes the importance of effective communication in science, highlighting that despite his personal challenges with speech, he leveraged technology to reach a wider audience. He believes that a strong public understanding of basic science is crucial to ensuring informed decisions, as scientific literacy empowers individuals rather than leaving them reliant on the interpretations of others.
Themes
ScienceCommunicationPublic UnderstandingTechnologyEducation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a science communication workshop to emphasize the need for clarity in explaining scientific concepts.
More from Stephen Hawking
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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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