The Anthropic Principle states that 'if the universe weren't suitable for life, we would not ask why in the first place." Although many physicists dismiss the Anthropic Principle as groundless, Hawking defended it as necessary to understand that models of the universe are shaped by our human limitations.
Hawking explained that the principle, along with the no-boundary condition, narrows the multiple cosmological scenarios, down to a model of the universe like our own.
Freed from previous constraints, Hawking used advanced mathematical modeling and four-dimensional Euclidian spheres to demonstrate that the universe likely is in the form of a squashed sphere.
An anomalous "singularity," which Hawking drew to resemble a protruding belly-button, sticks out on the southern pole of the universe. Hawking said that it could be detected through astronomical observations.
As the lecture proceeded, it became even more theoretical, leaving many people, like Robert G. Bieshaar, a visitor from Germany, groping for answers.
But much of the crowd, the majority of which had little physics background, remained in awe of the magnetic Hawking.
"This can't be ignored," said retired firefighter Joseph M. Clink.
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