Hawking has called modernity “the worst time in history” – Росбалт.RU

British physicist Stephen Hawking said that the earth came the “most terrible time” because of the sharp divide between elite and other sectors of society. This gap is aggravated on the background of the latest technology, the scientist believes.

according to the newspaper The Guardian, he cited as an example the results of a referendum on British exit from the EU and the US presidential election. According to Hawking, they are caused by the discontent of citizens that elites “withdrew from them.”

in addition, globalization, robotization of production and development of artificial intelligence reduces the number of jobs.

“the Internet and other platforms allow a very small group of people reap huge profits while hiring a very small number of people. It is inevitable, this is progress, but it’s also damaging for society” — says the scientist.

in Addition, digital technologies not only create vehicle for communication, but also allow wealthy people to show off their wealth, which is seen by the representatives of other classes. This leads to an increase in the number of economic migrants who travel to other city or the country, hoping to find there “a picture of Instagram”. It also exacerbates the feeling of inequality that, according to Hawking, is especially dangerous now, when the world must work together to solve global problems.

Earlier it was reported that Hawking was in the hospital in Rome after he had trouble breathing.