Stephen William Hawking · "We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot..."

From a speech or interview on human future (2010s) · Gecheckt op 10 juni 2026

We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet.

Analyse

Hawking frequently warned about existential risks, including nuclear war, climate change, and overpopulation, framing them as consequences of human shortsightedness. This statement aligns with his documented views, such as his 2016 BBC Reith Lecture and interviews where he emphasized the need for space colonization to ensure humanity's survival. No evidence suggests this is a misattribution.

Achtergrond

Hawking was a vocal advocate for addressing global challenges like climate change and AI risks. His warnings often stressed that humanity's future depended on overcoming divisive tendencies and expanding beyond Earth. These themes were central to his later public engagements.

Samenvatting verdict

Stephen Hawking did express concerns about human self-destruction due to greed, stupidity, and environmental pressures in the 2010s.

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— Hawking, S. (2016). *BBC Reith Lectures: Do Black Holes Have Hair?*

— Hawking, S. (2010). Interview with *Big Think* on existential threats.

— Hawking, S. (2017). *Brief Answers to the Big Questions* (posthumous).