The Dark Predictions of Stephen Hawking

One of the most famous scientists since Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking will forever be known for his groundbreaking contributions to physics and cosmology. Having been diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the young age of 21, instead of accepting what doctors said was a two-year death sentence, Hawking beat the odds and ended up devoting the rest of his entire natural life to the pursuit of knowledge and explaining the unknown. While his discoveries were profound and inspiring, his views on the future of the earth and its inhabitants were extremely pessimistic. Here are some of Hawking's most terrifying predictions on how and when our world will meet its demise, counting down from number seven.

6. Genetically modified vaccines will backfire on us

The certified genius said that one of the greatest threats to mankind wasn't coming from space, but rather from what people were creating here on earth. Since scientists started toying with genetically engineered viruses to treat human illnesses, they've also discovered other possible uses for them. Nowadays, pharmacists are even combining several deadly viruses into a single shot and doing some weird stuff with DNA mixing. While pharmacists' intentions might be good, the problem is that we still don't fully understand the long-term damage these vaccine concoctions might have.

5. Aliens will invade our planet

Hawking was a firm believer in extraterrestrial life and was convinced that they would eventually invade our planet. And no, unfortunately, they probably won't come in peace. But first, we gotta go back to the beginning, literally. You probably heard of the Big Bang theory (no, not the TV show). The explosion that gave birth to our universe some 13 billion years ago. Well, Hawking came up with what he called the multiverse theory. According to it, the universe as we know it is just one among tens of others that were created with their own Big Bangs. So basically, parallel universes. Although there's still no evidence proving that we aren't the only form of intelligent life there is, with so many planets, galaxies, and universes, chances are that cosmic beings will find our floating rock in space and decide to make a pit stop. They'll most likely want to either destroy us or study us like lab rats.

4. The universe will come to an end

In his final work, "A Smooth Exit from Eternal Inflation," completed just two weeks before he died, Hawking predicted that our universe would eventually fade into darkness as all the stars ran out of energy. He warned that we desperately need to get to other universes ASAP if we want to survive.

3. Nuclear weapons will destroy humanity

Hawking believed that aggression and irrational behavior are our worst traits as humans, and if we don't change, we'll outright destroy ourselves. Yet there's still no sign of conflict lessening nowadays, so the development of militarized technology and weapons of mass destruction could lead us to disastrous consequences, which would mean the end of our world.

2. We'll need to find another planet to live on

According to Hawking, we have to find another planet to live on within the next 100 years; otherwise, we'll die out as a species because of climate change or other catastrophic events. He even warned that the earth could end up like Venus, where the temperature is hot enough to melt lead.

1. Overpopulation will lead to the downfall of humanity

Hawking believed that overpopulation is the root of all problems on earth. He said that we need to learn to live sustainably and not consume more than we need. If we don't change our ways, we'll eventually run out of resources, and that will be the end of us.

Stephen Hawking's predictions about the future of the earth and its inhabitants are indeed terrifying. But, as Hawking himself said, "We are not going to stop exploring. We are not going to stop doing science because people don't understand it, or they don't like it. We are going to continue exploring, and we are going to continue doing science because that's what drives human progress."