Stephen Hawking’s brief answers to the big questions

To celebrate the release in paperback of Stephen Hawking’s final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, we have put together an all-star panel of scientists and comedians to talk about Hawking’s legacy and what he had to say about some of the biggest questions facing humanity.

Panellists include:

• Broadcaster and presenter Dallas Campbell
• Comedian Robin Ince
• Comedian Helen Arney
• Theoretical physicist Marika Taylor
• Theoretical physicist Eugene Lim

The event will begin with a short introduction from Stephen Hawking’s daughter Lucy Hawking.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Stephen Hawking expanded our understanding of the universe and unravelled some of its greatest mysteries. But even as his theoretical work on black holes, imaginary time and multiple histories took his mind to the furthest reaches of space, Hawking always believed that science could also be used to fix the problems on our planet.

Now, as we face potentially catastrophic changes here on Earth – from climate change to dwindling natural resources and the threat of artificial super-intelligence – Hawking’s thoughts on the most urgent issues for humankind are as important as ever.

• Is there a God?
• How did it all begin?
• Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
• Can we predict the future?
• What is inside a black hole?
• Is time travel possible?
• Will we survive on Earth?
• Should we colonise space?
• Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
• How do we shape the future?

Join our panel as they remember Stephen Hawking and discuss his views on the challenges we face as a human race and where we, as a planet, are heading next.

LINKS FOR FURTHER INFO:

Website: newscientist.com/events

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newscientistevents/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/newscilive

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newscientistevents/

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Doors open: 6:30pm

This event is in the Main Hall on the ground floor. For accessibility info: https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/about/visiting-us/