In the Centennial Auditorium of Peking University, Hawking, who came to China to attend the International String Theory Conference, was invited to give an additional speech here. The person who led the speech was Xu Jie, a distinguished professor of the Department of Physics at Peking University in Cambridge.
Hawking's fame made the Centennial Auditorium crowded. Not only students from Peking University, but also from universities in Beijing and other provinces and cities have students coming to see the style of the greatest physics master in the present and listen to his unique and awe-inspiring voice of wisdom synthesized using computers.
Because his personal relationship played an important role in promoting Hawking's trip to Peking University, Xu Jie naturally became the host of this speech.
After Hawking's speech, the audience burst into thunderous applause for a long time. After Xu Jie let the applause last for three minutes, Fang raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down.
Students, everyone knows the physical condition of Professor Hawking. It is not easy for him to come to China, and it is even more difficult for him to come to Peking University. Therefore, before this speech, we have obtained the consent of Professor Hawking and will give you a chance to ask questions after the speech is completed.In the next half hour, Professor Hawking will answer all the questions of all students.
As soon as Xu Jie finished speaking, the picture in the auditorium could be described in one sentence, which was called raising his forest-like hand. Professor Hawking's physical condition made him unable to designate the questioner, and Xu Jie did this job on his behalf.
Xu Jie pointed to a boy.
2 Hello Professor Hawking, I am a student in the Department of Mathematics of Peking University.As far as I know, superstring theory is currently the most advanced cosmological theory, and the theory is very mathematical.Therefore, I would like to ask you, how much role does mathematical tools play in your research on cosmology, or how important does mathematical methods occupy?Do you think that the unified theory is about building a set of mathematical equations that are even suitable for all interactions from the smallest microscopic world to the largest macroscopic world?Finally, in scientific research, what kind of theory do you think is considered a good theory?Thanks.
The first question is a bit long. After Xu Jie finished translating in unison, he looked at Hawking. Hawking pondered for a while, and the unique computer-synthesised sound began to sound.
Let me start with the last question, what kind of theory is considered a good theory?Well, this question is a bit interesting.Let’s use the theory about the universe. There is a theory that the earth is flat and is supported on the back of a turtle, and this turtle is supported on the back of another turtle, and one by one becomes a turtle tower, endless.Another theory about the universe is the most advanced superstring theory you just mentioned.Which of these two theories is better?How to judge?Although the superstring theory is more mathematical and more precise than the Turtle Tower theory, both are theories of the universe, and both theories lack evidence for observation: no one sees the big turtle carrying the earth, but no one sees the superstring.However, I think the Turtle Tower theory is not as good as the Superstring theory.The reason for this conclusion is not that superstring theory is more mathematical. In my opinion, all theories can be called hypotheses. They are good theories before they are falsified. From the Turtle Tower theory, it can reasonably predict that people will fall from the edge of the world. This prophecy is easy to have been falsified now, so the Turtle Tower theory is not a good theory.Mathematics is a tool. The amount of this tool used does not itself constitute a criterion for judging whether the theory is excellent. The most important criterion for the theory should first be correct. Even if it is vague, it is better than accurate mistakes.Of course, as myself, mathematics plays a big role in my research, because it is a tool I am familiar with and love.Finally, regarding the theory of unity, because there is not yet, I cannot predict what form it will be. Of course, I personally hope that it is a set, preferably one equation, to solve all problems. After all, the simpler our world, the better.Thanks.
applause.
Hawking's whole body only had eyelids to beat. He could only speak with his eyes and select English letters one by one on a specially made supercomputer, using these letters to form words, and using these words to form sentences. Finally, the computer synthesizes the sound and makes it sound.
With such a difficult way of speaking, you can imagine how much energy and time it takes for him to say the above paragraph. Hawking rarely answers so many questions in other larger and more formal occasions. Xu Jie knew that this must be because the students present here at this moment were all students, and they came here with respect and even admiration for the master. Hawking may understand that every word of his may affect a young man's academic pursuit and even life path throughout his life, so no matter how difficult he is, he must give the students the clearest and complete answers as much as possible.
But as the host, Xu Jie could not ignore Hawking's physical condition. Seeing that the students asked long questions and Hawking also answered long, she had to say again: Students, given Professor Hawking's physical condition and time issues, we can only allow two more questions.
Still a forest-like hand Xu Jie pointed to another female classmate.
3 Hello Professor Hawking, I am a student of the Chinese Department of Peking University.
It turns out that today is not just science students.
The girl's voice is very pleasant, and the rhythm of her speech is also ups and downs, as if she is reciting, and she is a bit emotional. Although I am not a science subject, this does not hinder my love for natural sciences.In my opinion, the value of a good theory will increase with the breadth of its spread. Your "A Brief History of Time" is such an outstanding example of spreading good theory to the most general public.And I remember you once said that for every mathematical formula added to "A Brief History of Time", its circulation may be reduced by half.So can I say that in addition to theoretical research, the importance of literal expression is also indispensable and irreplaceable in the process of dissemination of your theory or thought?In addition, I would like to ask Professor Hawking, do you like Peking University?Compared with Cambridge, what do you think of Peking University?
After listening to this question, Hawking seemed to feel that this female classmate and the previous male classmate had a little bit of a tit-for-tat and unwilling to be outdone, haha.
The computer synthesized sound rarely makes a laugh first. This young lady, from your question, no, and the previous young gentleman, I feel that you all have a love and pride for the major you are studying. You hope that what you are studying is the most important and valuable major in the world. This is very good. A person who does not love what you are studying and engaged in will not be able to achieve good achievements in this field.But on the other hand, I want to say that any major, whether it is natural science or humanities, has its own value and is indispensable for the development and progress of human society. None of them is the most important.In those majors that seem less important, that is, less popular, we can still focus on our efforts. This is the attitude of doing things that I advocate and appreciate, which is more difficult than loving a popular major.Speaking of my "A Brief History of Time", its success is certainly inseparable from easy-to-understand literal expressions. I am very happy that so many people around the world like it, and I hope that everyone who read it can understand it.As for Peking University, can I not like young ladies and gentlemen like you who are full of passion and honor?Peking University and Cambridge are both very excellent institutions of learning. I think if I have a next life, I might hope to study and work at Peking University, just like I did in Cambridge in this life.Thanks.
Again, there was warm applause dedicated to this profound and approachable master.
I want to take advantage of my little privilege as a host and leave the last question to a student at Peking University.Zhao Min?
Xu Jie looked into the field and looked for Zhao Min.
4 Hurry up, sister, I've called you.
Chen Lu and Zhao Min were together. When she heard the teacher’s name, she was much more excited than Zhao Min and pulled Zhao Min to stand up.Next to Chen Lu was Jian Nanchun who was following like a shadow.
From the beginning of the classroom incident, Xu Jie noticed the sisters Zhao Min and Chen Lu, and then found that they actually had a high level of understanding and talent in physics.
Zhao Min's thoughts are deeper, and she has a deeper understanding of the essence of the physical world. Chen Lu's math skills are in Peking University. Even if she adds talents from the mathematics department, she is probably the best. The two sisters are just in line with each other. As for the degree of understanding, the communication efficiency between them is far greater than that of any partner in the research group. Xu Jie keenly feels that the two sisters are perfect. If they focus on research in the field of physics, they are very likely to achieve great results in the future, so they are particularly valued.
Now the two sisters have finished Xu Jie's class, but Xu Jie and they have long become the closest teachers and students.
This time when Hawking came to give a speech, Xu Jie told Zhao Min in advance, asking her to prepare the questions and would definitely give her a chance to ask questions at that time.
Zhao Min is indeed prepared for the question. If she has the opportunity to ask the master she respects the most, how could she miss such a good opportunity?
But at this time, when Zhao Min heard Xu Jie's name, she hesitated a little. It was not until Chen Lu pulled her a few times that she slowly stood up.
If there is another student who was caught in fanaticism and excitement when seeing world-class masters and idols who had admired them for many years, and who was also obsessed with the help of Hawking, who had endured the hardships that Hawking had endured, then this person is Zhao Min.
Seeing Hawking tilted his body and sitting in the wheelchair motionless, Zhao Min knew that it was not that he didn't want to move. Anyone would move for such a long time and change his posture. This greatest physicist of the contemporary era could not move, and his face always had that expression. Zhao Min also knew that it was not that he had no emotions, but that he could not do even the most subtle movements of expressing emotions.
It is such a person who, as his body gradually moves towards this decay, his thoughts are increasingly wandering in the depths of the vastest universe.
If Hawking's body is one of the most limited bodies in the world, his mind is definitely the one that can reach the farthest point in the world.
Zhao Min suddenly felt that the questions he prepared were meaningless.
What should I ask?
About knowledge?
About the nature of the universe?
Do you want to ask for advice or take the opportunity to show yourself?
If it is the former, such an occasion is not suitable. Although you are facing a master, complex and profound academic questions cannot be solved in one question and answer; and if it is the latter, for Hawking, who must have been very tired at the moment, isn’t it an extremely selfish and immoral way to continue asking questions with the purpose of showing himself?
Zhao Min, do you have any questions to ask Professor Hawking for advice?
Xu Jie encouraged her favorite student with a smile.
Hawking's fame made the Centennial Auditorium crowded. Not only students from Peking University, but also from universities in Beijing and other provinces and cities have students coming to see the style of the greatest physics master in the present and listen to his unique and awe-inspiring voice of wisdom synthesized using computers.
Because his personal relationship played an important role in promoting Hawking's trip to Peking University, Xu Jie naturally became the host of this speech.
After Hawking's speech, the audience burst into thunderous applause for a long time. After Xu Jie let the applause last for three minutes, Fang raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down.
Students, everyone knows the physical condition of Professor Hawking. It is not easy for him to come to China, and it is even more difficult for him to come to Peking University. Therefore, before this speech, we have obtained the consent of Professor Hawking and will give you a chance to ask questions after the speech is completed.In the next half hour, Professor Hawking will answer all the questions of all students.
As soon as Xu Jie finished speaking, the picture in the auditorium could be described in one sentence, which was called raising his forest-like hand. Professor Hawking's physical condition made him unable to designate the questioner, and Xu Jie did this job on his behalf.
Xu Jie pointed to a boy.
2 Hello Professor Hawking, I am a student in the Department of Mathematics of Peking University.As far as I know, superstring theory is currently the most advanced cosmological theory, and the theory is very mathematical.Therefore, I would like to ask you, how much role does mathematical tools play in your research on cosmology, or how important does mathematical methods occupy?Do you think that the unified theory is about building a set of mathematical equations that are even suitable for all interactions from the smallest microscopic world to the largest macroscopic world?Finally, in scientific research, what kind of theory do you think is considered a good theory?Thanks.
The first question is a bit long. After Xu Jie finished translating in unison, he looked at Hawking. Hawking pondered for a while, and the unique computer-synthesised sound began to sound.
Let me start with the last question, what kind of theory is considered a good theory?Well, this question is a bit interesting.Let’s use the theory about the universe. There is a theory that the earth is flat and is supported on the back of a turtle, and this turtle is supported on the back of another turtle, and one by one becomes a turtle tower, endless.Another theory about the universe is the most advanced superstring theory you just mentioned.Which of these two theories is better?How to judge?Although the superstring theory is more mathematical and more precise than the Turtle Tower theory, both are theories of the universe, and both theories lack evidence for observation: no one sees the big turtle carrying the earth, but no one sees the superstring.However, I think the Turtle Tower theory is not as good as the Superstring theory.The reason for this conclusion is not that superstring theory is more mathematical. In my opinion, all theories can be called hypotheses. They are good theories before they are falsified. From the Turtle Tower theory, it can reasonably predict that people will fall from the edge of the world. This prophecy is easy to have been falsified now, so the Turtle Tower theory is not a good theory.Mathematics is a tool. The amount of this tool used does not itself constitute a criterion for judging whether the theory is excellent. The most important criterion for the theory should first be correct. Even if it is vague, it is better than accurate mistakes.Of course, as myself, mathematics plays a big role in my research, because it is a tool I am familiar with and love.Finally, regarding the theory of unity, because there is not yet, I cannot predict what form it will be. Of course, I personally hope that it is a set, preferably one equation, to solve all problems. After all, the simpler our world, the better.Thanks.
applause.
Hawking's whole body only had eyelids to beat. He could only speak with his eyes and select English letters one by one on a specially made supercomputer, using these letters to form words, and using these words to form sentences. Finally, the computer synthesizes the sound and makes it sound.
With such a difficult way of speaking, you can imagine how much energy and time it takes for him to say the above paragraph. Hawking rarely answers so many questions in other larger and more formal occasions. Xu Jie knew that this must be because the students present here at this moment were all students, and they came here with respect and even admiration for the master. Hawking may understand that every word of his may affect a young man's academic pursuit and even life path throughout his life, so no matter how difficult he is, he must give the students the clearest and complete answers as much as possible.
But as the host, Xu Jie could not ignore Hawking's physical condition. Seeing that the students asked long questions and Hawking also answered long, she had to say again: Students, given Professor Hawking's physical condition and time issues, we can only allow two more questions.
Still a forest-like hand Xu Jie pointed to another female classmate.
3 Hello Professor Hawking, I am a student of the Chinese Department of Peking University.
It turns out that today is not just science students.
The girl's voice is very pleasant, and the rhythm of her speech is also ups and downs, as if she is reciting, and she is a bit emotional. Although I am not a science subject, this does not hinder my love for natural sciences.In my opinion, the value of a good theory will increase with the breadth of its spread. Your "A Brief History of Time" is such an outstanding example of spreading good theory to the most general public.And I remember you once said that for every mathematical formula added to "A Brief History of Time", its circulation may be reduced by half.So can I say that in addition to theoretical research, the importance of literal expression is also indispensable and irreplaceable in the process of dissemination of your theory or thought?In addition, I would like to ask Professor Hawking, do you like Peking University?Compared with Cambridge, what do you think of Peking University?
After listening to this question, Hawking seemed to feel that this female classmate and the previous male classmate had a little bit of a tit-for-tat and unwilling to be outdone, haha.
The computer synthesized sound rarely makes a laugh first. This young lady, from your question, no, and the previous young gentleman, I feel that you all have a love and pride for the major you are studying. You hope that what you are studying is the most important and valuable major in the world. This is very good. A person who does not love what you are studying and engaged in will not be able to achieve good achievements in this field.But on the other hand, I want to say that any major, whether it is natural science or humanities, has its own value and is indispensable for the development and progress of human society. None of them is the most important.In those majors that seem less important, that is, less popular, we can still focus on our efforts. This is the attitude of doing things that I advocate and appreciate, which is more difficult than loving a popular major.Speaking of my "A Brief History of Time", its success is certainly inseparable from easy-to-understand literal expressions. I am very happy that so many people around the world like it, and I hope that everyone who read it can understand it.As for Peking University, can I not like young ladies and gentlemen like you who are full of passion and honor?Peking University and Cambridge are both very excellent institutions of learning. I think if I have a next life, I might hope to study and work at Peking University, just like I did in Cambridge in this life.Thanks.
Again, there was warm applause dedicated to this profound and approachable master.
I want to take advantage of my little privilege as a host and leave the last question to a student at Peking University.Zhao Min?
Xu Jie looked into the field and looked for Zhao Min.
4 Hurry up, sister, I've called you.
Chen Lu and Zhao Min were together. When she heard the teacher’s name, she was much more excited than Zhao Min and pulled Zhao Min to stand up.Next to Chen Lu was Jian Nanchun who was following like a shadow.
From the beginning of the classroom incident, Xu Jie noticed the sisters Zhao Min and Chen Lu, and then found that they actually had a high level of understanding and talent in physics.
Zhao Min's thoughts are deeper, and she has a deeper understanding of the essence of the physical world. Chen Lu's math skills are in Peking University. Even if she adds talents from the mathematics department, she is probably the best. The two sisters are just in line with each other. As for the degree of understanding, the communication efficiency between them is far greater than that of any partner in the research group. Xu Jie keenly feels that the two sisters are perfect. If they focus on research in the field of physics, they are very likely to achieve great results in the future, so they are particularly valued.
Now the two sisters have finished Xu Jie's class, but Xu Jie and they have long become the closest teachers and students.
This time when Hawking came to give a speech, Xu Jie told Zhao Min in advance, asking her to prepare the questions and would definitely give her a chance to ask questions at that time.
Zhao Min is indeed prepared for the question. If she has the opportunity to ask the master she respects the most, how could she miss such a good opportunity?
But at this time, when Zhao Min heard Xu Jie's name, she hesitated a little. It was not until Chen Lu pulled her a few times that she slowly stood up.
If there is another student who was caught in fanaticism and excitement when seeing world-class masters and idols who had admired them for many years, and who was also obsessed with the help of Hawking, who had endured the hardships that Hawking had endured, then this person is Zhao Min.
Seeing Hawking tilted his body and sitting in the wheelchair motionless, Zhao Min knew that it was not that he didn't want to move. Anyone would move for such a long time and change his posture. This greatest physicist of the contemporary era could not move, and his face always had that expression. Zhao Min also knew that it was not that he had no emotions, but that he could not do even the most subtle movements of expressing emotions.
It is such a person who, as his body gradually moves towards this decay, his thoughts are increasingly wandering in the depths of the vastest universe.
If Hawking's body is one of the most limited bodies in the world, his mind is definitely the one that can reach the farthest point in the world.
Zhao Min suddenly felt that the questions he prepared were meaningless.
What should I ask?
About knowledge?
About the nature of the universe?
Do you want to ask for advice or take the opportunity to show yourself?
If it is the former, such an occasion is not suitable. Although you are facing a master, complex and profound academic questions cannot be solved in one question and answer; and if it is the latter, for Hawking, who must have been very tired at the moment, isn’t it an extremely selfish and immoral way to continue asking questions with the purpose of showing himself?
Zhao Min, do you have any questions to ask Professor Hawking for advice?
Xu Jie encouraged her favorite student with a smile.
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