Q & A: Stephen Hawking and daughter Lucy

Q & A: Stephen Hawking

Q: You have just written a science book for children that will explain the universe — and black holes. What made you write this book and how do you explain black holes in a way that children can understand?

A: Children ask how things do what they do, and why. Too often, grownups — who don't know the answers and don't want to look silly by admitting they don't know — tell children that these are stupid questions to ask. It is very important for young people keep their sense of wonder and keep asking why. I'm a child myself, in the sense that I'm still looking. Children are fascinated by black holes and ask me questions. I find they soon get the idea if it is explained in nontechnical language.

Q: Will we ever be able to travel through time?

A: We are all traveling forward in time anyway. We can fast-forward by going off in a rocket at high speed and returning to find everyone on Earth much older or dead. Einstein's general theory of relativity seems to offer the possibility that we could warp space-time so much that we could travel back in time. However, it is likely that the warping would trigger a bolt of radiation that would destroy the spaceship, and maybe the space-time itself.

More on "George's Secret Key to the Universe" Read our Q & A with Stephen and Lucy Hawkins Do you have a question for Stephen and Lucy? 4th and 5th grade teachers: Follow Al's Book Club? Cosmic log: Stephen Hawking's universe ... for kids Check out our complete coverage

Q: What were you like as a child? What were your interests?

A: As a child, I wanted to know how things worked and to control them. With a friend, I built a number of complicated models that I could control. It was a natural next step to want to know how the universe works. If you understand the universe, you control it, in a way. I was never top of the class at school, but my classmates must have seen potential in me, because my nickname was Einstein.

Q: Do you believe we need to spread into space in order for the human race to survive? Will you travel into space yourself?

A: I think the human race doesn’t have a future if we don’t go into space. We need to expand our horizons beyond planet Earth if we are to have a long-term future. We cannot remain looking inward at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet. We need to look outward to the wider universe. This will take time and effort, but it will become easier as our technology improves. I therefore want to encourage public interest in space. I have never let my condition stop me. You only live once.

Q: In your children's book, you describe the universe without a creator. Does this reflect your personal beliefs?

A: The lesson of the book is that the universe is governed by the laws of science. One could regard these laws as the work of God but discussion of such theological issues is not appropriate in a children’s adventure story.

Q: Did you enjoy your zero gravity experience?

A: Being confined to a wheelchair doesn’t bother me as my mind is free to roam the universe, but it felt wonderful to be weightless.

“George’s Secret Key to the Universe” (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing) is out now.

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