Some questions even stump Stephen Hawking.

The famed British astrophysicist and best-selling author has turned to Yahoo Answers, a new feature in which anyone can pose a question for fellow Internet users to try to answer. By Friday afternoon, nearly 17,000 Yahoo Inc. users had responded.

Hawking's question: ''In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?''

Some of the answers were short -- ''get rid of nuclear weapons'' -- and others vague -- ''Somehow we will.'' Many were doubtful: ''I don't think it is possible unless we expand into space,'' one user wrote.

A number of people suggested thinking differently, ending bickering or fostering cooperation.

Lately, he's been pondering about the fate of humans.

In a June 13 speech in Hong Kong, Hawking said the survival of the human race depends on its ability to find new homes elsewhere in the universe because there's an increasing risk that a disaster will destroy Earth.

He said that if humans can avoid killing themselves in the next 100 years, they should have space settlements that can continue without support from Earth.

Makes you think, doesn't it.

Now the human race has been around a hell of a long time. I think we are going to be okay, but I will say that this world is a crazy place.

You know the Ice Age. And maybe global warming. Although some folks see that as political, I think there is value in the fact that the earth is constantly changing, and under duress.

Have you ever been under a great deal of stress and then, bam, you get a bit sick?

Who says the earth isn't going through that.? I mean, I'm no scientist.

I'm a news hack, but you never know.

¶ 7/07/2006 08:21:00 PM