Describe your latest project.
I am writing a book about SETI.

What inspires you to sit down and write?
I find science so thrilling I like to share the good news with people.

Describe your favorite childhood teacher and how that teacher influenced you.
His name was Mr. Pack, my Applied Math high school teacher. He taught me that mathematics can be a lot of fun.

Chess or video games?
Chess as a child.

What do you do for relaxation?
Run.

Douglas Adams or Scott Adams?
Douglas Adams, since we once did a public event together in London.

What was your best subject in high school? Your worst?
Best: Physics.
Worst: Art.

Describe the best museum of science and/or industry you've ever visited and what made it great.
The now-closed Exploratorium in Bristol, UK. The exhibits were simple and home-made, but each beautifully illustrated a deep scientific principle in a visually striking way.

Which country do you believe currently leads the world in science and technology? In ten years?
On a per capita basis, Singapore. In ten years, probably China or India.

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Paul Davies is an internationally acclaimed physicist and cosmologist now at Arizona State University, where he is setting up a pioneering center for the "study of life, the universe, and everything." In addition to his many scientific awards, he is the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize — the world's largest annual prize — for his work on science and religion. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Mind of God, About Time The Origin of Life, and How to Build a Time Machine. He also chairs the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence postdetection committee, so that if SETI succeeds in finding intelligent life, he will be among the first to know. The asteroid 1992OG was officially renamed Pauldavies in his honor. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.