Stephen Hawking accompanied Adaeze Uyanwah around London's Science Museum as part of the Guest of Honor" prize and the two got to talking, with the Californian asking the scientist what shortcomings in humans he would alter and which virtues would be enhanced if he could choose.
According to Hawking, the human failing he'd like most to correct is aggression. This quality may have given humans survival advantage during the caveman era, facilitating the acquisition of food and territory and finding partners for mating, but now it's just a threat that will destroy everyone.
As for the quality he wants most to be magnified, empathy is his choice.
"It brings us together in a peaceful, loving state," explained Hawking.
He also delved on space exploration as life insurance for humans.
"I believe that the long term future of the human race must be space and that it represents an important life insurance for our future survival, as it could prevent the disappearance of humanity by colonizing other planets."
Hawking went on to say that going to the moon undoubtedly changed the future for humans but how exactly the lunar excursion affects people is not yet completely understood. Moon exploration doesn't solve any of the immediate problems on Earth but it has imparted new perspectives on how to tackle said problems.
A creative writer and teacher, Uyanwah beat out over 10,000 international contestants to win the coveted "Guest of Honor" prize. Given by VisitLondon.com, the prize includes afternoon tea at Lord's cricket ground with Jim Carter from Downton Abbey, a trip with former ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell to the Royal Opera House and a tour courtesy of Commons Speaker John Bercow of the Houses of Parliament. Uyanwah won the prize after producing a video and a blog depicting a perfect day in UK's capital.
She said that meeting Hawking was incredible. Uyanwah didn't hide her excitement at the prospect of telling her grandchildren, as they are learning about theories from the scientist in science class, that she personally met with him and got a first-hand account of his views.
"It's something I'll never forget," she added.
Hawking was the subject of a film called The Theory of Everything, where Eddie Redmayne played the part of the scientist. Hawking lent his official synthesized voice to the film.
