Stephen Hawking doesn't have much of a reputation as an optimist, but maybe he deserves one. During a talk at Oxford University this week, Business Insider reports, the legendary astrophysicist gave the human species 1,000 more years on Earth before going extinct—assuming we don't find a new planet to destroy. This, based on recent events, seems generous.
"We must also continue to go into space for the future of humanity," Hawking said. "I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet." The Brit sees a few factors feeding our inevitable doom: climate change, nuclear war, destruction at the hands of artificial intelligence run amok. It feels like all those things are coming for us a lot sooner than Optimistic Steve thinks, but what do I know? Our president-elect believes climate change is a hoax and nuclear weapons are accessories.
Hawking ended his speech by telling the assembled Oxford students to "look up to the stars and not down at your feet," which may provide some comfort when the sea level is up to their knees.
