“ As Irving Good realised in 1965, machines with superhuman intelligence could repeatedly improve their design even further, triggering what Vernor Vinge called a 'singularity.' ”

“ Computers double their performance every month. ”

“ I first had the idea of writing a popular book about the universe in 1982. My intention was partly to earn money to pay my daughter's school fees. ”

“ If you believe in science, like I do, you believe that there are certain laws that are always obeyed. ”

“ Philosophers have not kept up with modern developments in science. Particularly physics. ”

“ I used to think information was destroyed in black hole. This was my biggest blunder, or at least my biggest blunder in science. ”

“ Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge. ”

“ Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of. ”

“ Even if it turns out that time travel is impossible, it is important that we understand why it is impossible. ”

“ A zero-gravity flight is a first step toward space travel. ”