What a stupid thing for someone in his position to say.
He’s probably just desperately hoping that there is no power in the universe mightier than the state....
Damn!
He apparently has Judaic mysticism religious motivation:
“THE UNIVERSE BEGAN out of nothing 13.7 billion years ago and has expanded in an evolving process that resembles one that Jewish mystics envisioned centuries ago. In ‘Let There Be Light’, astrophysicist Howard Smith clearly explains the modern scientific understanding of the cosmos and explores how it complements Judaism’s ancient mystical theology, Kabbalah. He argues that an underlying harmony exists between science and religion, and he uses cosmology and Kabbalah as detailed examples to show that a dialogue between the two sheds light on ethics, free will, and the sanctity of life. At the same time he rejects fundamentalist misinterpretations and the pseudoscience of creationism........Accessible yet based on the most current scientific research, this extraordinary book investigates the intriguing parallels between the Big Bang theory and biblical images of creation as developed in Kabbalah. Along the way, the author explores modern quantum mechanics, relativity, dark matter, and cosmic acceleration. Smith delves into complex ideas without resorting to jargon or mathematical equations, creating a lyrical, authoritative work that brings new and surprising insights to the deepest mysteries of the cosmos.”
I don’t disagree with his assessment of the improbability of earth like life being found elsewhere (my thinking is biased from religious belief - may as well be truthful). However, it did strike me as odd for someone from Harvard. “Kabbalah”...isn’t that what Madonna is into?
I think someone wants 15 minutes of fame.