Gods and Scientists.

This in from the London Times:

Professor [Stephen] Hawking, of the University of Cambridge, was speaking as the group of scientists who run the Doomsday Clock — a countdown to Armageddon that was begun in 1947 — was moved two minutes closer to stand at five minutes to midnight to reflect climate change and the nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran.

“Since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, no nuclear weapons have been used in war, though the world has come uncomfortably close to disaster on more than one occasion,” Professor Hawking said. “But for good luck, we would all be dead.

“As we stand at the brink of a second nuclear age and a period of unprecedented climate change, scientists have a special responsibility once again to inform the public and advise leaders about the perils that humanity faces.

“We foresee great peril if governments and society do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and prevent further climate change.

“As scientists, we understand the dangers of nuclear weapons and their devastating effects, and we are learning how human activities and technologies are affecting climate systems in ways that may for ever change life on Earth.

Well, Dr. Hawking, Earth is so grateful to its scientists [may they live forever!] for knowing all and understanding all in a spirit of benevolence towards all mankind.

Scientists can speak such pompous twaddle!