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TOP > Special > Stephen Hawking - Stephen Hawking Ponders the Universe -
——What made you write A Briefer History of Time, twenty years after the publication of A Brief History of Time?
My first popular book, A Brief History of Time, aroused a great deal of interest, but many people found it difficult to understand. I therefore decided to try to write a new version that would be easier to follow. I took the opportunity to add material on new developments since the first book, and I left out some things of a more technical nature. The result is a book that is slightly briefer, but its main claim would be to be more accessible. I would hope that people who had difficulty with A Brief History will try A Briefer History and be pleasantly surprised.
Briefer History of Time
by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
——Are you ever tempted to give up trying to express everything in simpler, layman's language so that the public can understand?
Of course you have to simplify. Most people don't have time to master the very mathematical details of theoretical physics. But I believe that everyone can and should have a broad picture of how the universe operates, and of our place in it. This is what I have tried to convey in my book.
——What can we do to get young people interested in science?
My daughter, Lucy, and I are planning to write a book for children. It will explain ideas about relativity and cosmology in story form. I think children are in many ways the best audience. They are not afraid to ask why, and they are naturally interested in space. If one can engage their enthusiasm at an early age, they may go on to become scientists themselves.
We humans are small, and so is our world. And we are seeking to understand the universe from within our limitations. I was very impressed that Dr. Hawking has been working on solving the fundamental mysteries of the massive universe even with the strict limitations of his physical disability. I sensed this more vividly when I was in his office, and this is one more reason he gives us hope.
I hope that my visit did not interfere with his work too much. I would like to believe that Dr. Hawking's words would inspire children to pursue science, and nurture the future of Japan.
Hisashi Hirabayashi
Professor, Department of Space Information and Energy
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA
Dr. Hirabayashi studied Astronomy at the Department of Physics, University of Tokyo, and received a Doctorate at its graduate school. He worked at Nobeyama Radio Observatory's Solar Group and the Nobeyama Radio Observatory itself, subsequently becoming a visiting assistant professor at JAXA, before his appointment to his current position. He succeeded in the VLBI Space Observatory Program (VSOP) using the radio-astronomical satellite HALCA (MUSES-B). Conducting observations for astronautical science research, he has interests in life in space and the future of the universe. He also loves Japanese Kendo, in which he holds a 6th Degree Black Belt, and illustration.
