"We don't have good observations for how the universe is expanding again so rapidly after a long period of slowing down," Hawking said, addressing a packed audience at Oakland's Paramount Theater, where he delivered a lecture called "Origin of the Universe.", according to the report on CNET News.
"We cannot be sure of the future of the universe: Is inflation the law of nature? Or will the universe eventually collapse again?" he said.
Hawking reassured the audience that these questions would soon have answers, thanks to the thriving study of cosmology. Scientists are now making use of ever-more-precise instruments and powerful telescopes to observe previously unknown aspects of the universe.
"We're getting close to answering the questions, Why are we here, and where did we come from?" he said.
Hawking give a talk on Oakland, California, in november 10, to an audience of about 3,000, drawing an eclectic crowd that included men in business suits, college students with dreadlocks, and children in wheelchairs who apparently suffer from the same debilitating disease as Hawking.
Hawking and Bush
When asked about his thoughts on President Bush's proposal to put a man on Mars within 10 years, Hawking simply replied: "Stupid."
Hawking answered one question with more seriousness than others--that concerning his feelings about the U.S. government's policy on stem-cell research.
In Britain, he said, stem-cell research is seen as a great opportunity.
"America will be left behind if it doesn't change its policy," he said
In the blogs
A lot of blogs cover the conference of Hawking, a good an independent way to know about his feelings regarding Bush politics, no mentioned by CNET News.
Philip Greenpun tell us:
The 3000 seats were just about sold out. The lecture began with a gushy woman from a local science museum thanking the sponsors. This struck me as odd because, at almost $100 per ticket, the audience had paid more than $200,000 to attend. Even in an era of cosmic inflation, I couldn't figure out how $200k wouldn't cover expenses.
Lisa Reins actually was there, and she gives this testimony:
The Q and A portion of the lecture was particularly neat. Here are some of the questions and answers that I could remember. (I wrote down some notes right after the show while they were fresh in my mind -- so two of these are not exactly word for word - but damn close - and the other two quoted answers are exact.)
Q: What do you think of President Bush's plan to send a man to the moon?
S.H.: "Stupid. Robots are cheaper to send, and you don't have to bring them back."
Q: What do you think of the United States' position on Stem Cell Research?
S.H.: England and most of the developed world has the view that there are many opportunities in Stem Cell Research. The U.S. will fall behind.
Q: If you had a chance to meet Issac Newton or Marilyn Monroe, which would you pick?
S.H.: Marilyn. I heard Issac was a disagreeable sort.
Q: What's your IQ?
S.H.: "I have no idea." People that care about IQ's are losers.
Updated 11-12 - I almost forgot my favorite question:
Q: You were depicted on the Simpsons. How did you like that?
S.H.: "I think the Simpsons is the best thing on American Television."
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