Maria is the master of selecting thought provoking articles that challenge us to think and to absorb yet more information into our purview. I agree that Hawking did a fine job of simplifying his thoughts on the matter, when the actual science could prove to be overwhelming and similar to a dog chasing its own tail.

Thanks for sharing...I enjoyed reading it and also the links to related articles on the same subject.

Hawking argues against a shallow, anthropomorphic concept of a god who created everything, and he proposes that the universe simply popped into existence. Neither proposal means a damn thing when it comes to actual knowledge and understanding. That is why I think the appropriate response to existence is shock and awe. If your nervous system is too delicate for shock and awe you can make up some sham theories about gods or about things simply popping into existence. Same thing.