“Although September 11 was horrible, it didn’t threaten the survival of the human race, like nuclear weapons do.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“Although September 11 was horrible, it didn’t threaten the survival of the human race, like nuclear weapons do.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking contrasts the tragic impact of the September 11 attacks with the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons. While 9/11 was a devastating act of terrorism that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and shook global security, Hawking points out that it did not pose a long-term survival threat to humanity. In contrast, nuclear weapons, if used in large-scale conflict, have the potential to destroy civilization and even endanger the future of life on Earth itself. The destructive power of nuclear arms has been a topic of concern since their invention, particularly during the Cold War, when the world came perilously close to full-scale nuclear war.
Hawking’s statement reflects a broader perspective on the risks facing humanity. While events like 9/11 are catastrophic in their immediate effects, nuclear weapons are a global threat, capable of annihilating entire populations and destabilizing the world for generations. The possibility of nuclear war is a central concern for peace and survival, not just because of the immediate destruction they cause, but because of the potential for nuclear winter—a global cooling caused by the massive fires ignited by nuclear explosions, which could render the Earth uninhabitable.
In the context of modern geopolitics, this observation remains relevant. Despite efforts like the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and various diplomatic initiatives to reduce nuclear stockpiles, the risk of nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands, or being used in conflict, remains a key concern for global security. Hawking’s remark emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to ensure that humanity does not find itself on the brink of self-destruction due to technological advancements that, while powerful, also pose catastrophic dangers.
