Physics of the Future

How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100

By: Michio Kaku

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Imagine, if you can, the world in the year 2100.

In Physics of the Future, Michio Kaku - the New York Times best-selling author of Physics of the Impossible - gives us a stunning, provocative, and exhilarating vision of the coming century based on interviews with over 300 of the world’s top scientists who are already inventing the future in their labs.

The result is the most authoritative and scientifically accurate description of the revolutionary developments taking place in medicine, computers, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, energy production, and astronautics.

In all likelihood, by 2100 we will control computers via tiny brain sensors and, like magicians, move objects around with the power of our minds. Artificial intelligence will be dispersed throughout the environment, and Internet-enabled contact lenses will allow us to access the world's information base or conjure up any image we desire in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, cars will drive themselves using GPS, and if room-temperature superconductors are discovered, vehicles will effortlessly fly on a cushion of air, coasting on powerful magnetic fields and ushering in the age of magnetism.

Using molecular medicine, scientists will be able to grow almost every organ of the body and cure genetic diseases. Millions of tiny DNA sensors and nanoparticles patrolling our blood cells will silently scan our bodies for the first sign of illness, while rapid advances in genetic research will enable us to slow down or maybe even reverse the aging process, allowing human life spans to increase dramatically.

In space, radically new ships - needle-sized vessels using laser propulsion - could replace the expensive chemical rockets of today and perhaps visit nearby stars.

Advances in nanotechnology may lead to the fabled space elevator, which would propel humans hundreds of miles above the earth’s atmosphere at the push of a button. But these astonishing revelations are only the tip of the iceberg. Kaku also discusses emotional robots, antimatter rockets, X-ray vision, and the ability to create new life-forms, and he considers the development of the world economy. He addresses the key questions: Who are the winner and losers of the future? Who will have jobs, and which nations will prosper?

All the while, Kaku illuminates the rigorous scientific principles, examining the rate at which certain technologies are likely to mature, how far they can advance, and what their ultimate limitations and hazards are.

Synthesizing a vast amount of information to construct an exciting look at the years leading up to 2100, Physics of the Future is a thrilling, wondrous ride through the next 100 years of breathtaking scientific revolution.

©2011 Michio Kaku (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

"Following in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne, Kaku, author of a handful of books about science, looks into the not-so-distant future and envisions what the world will look like. It should be an exciting place, with driverless cars, Internet glasses, universal translators, robot surgeons, the resurrection of extinct life forms, designer children, space tourism, a manned mission to Mars, none of which turn out to be as science-fictiony as they sound. In fact, the most exciting thing about the book is the fact that most of the developments Kaku discusses can be directly extrapolated from existing technologies. Robot surgeons and driverless cars, for example, already exist in rudimentary forms. Kaku, a physics professor and one of the originators of the string field theory (an offshoot of the more general string theory), draws on current research to show how, in a very real sense, our future has already been written. The book's lively, user-friendly style should appeal equally to fans of science fiction and popular science." (Booklist)

Love this book

If you could sum up Physics of the Future in three words, what would they be?

Fasinating, informative and thought provoking.

What did you like best about this story?

The research and experiences the author has had to actually witnessing some of the very technologies he predicts will become integrated into our future.

Which scene was your favorite?

The aspects of technology which scientists can't overcome. This is where the devine is at work.

Any additional comments?

The author's research, knowledge and experiences are fascinating as he guides you through his predictions and explanations about existing and emerging technologies from robotics, artificial intelligence, self controlled automobiles; genetic sequencing and nanotechnology. I have enjoyed the narrator as I am sure it is the author himself.

niece overview of where we are

good overview of where we are and what can be done with what is in front of us, but felt too much like a sensationalist documentary for me.

It is fine

It is an acceptable book with some interesting parts. This is probably a better read than listen to book.

Some parts are not great but some are enlightening

I am glad I gave this book another chance. The AI section was disappointing and i didn't like so many references to movies and science fiction as I expected this to be pure science. But the parts about medicine and physics/energy were enlightening.

Entertaining and eye opening

I love it!! I even bought the hard cover...highly recommend it. will read it again

My new favorite book and genre of all time

Not just one of the best science books but an exploration in the past present and future of humanity, sociology, psychology, economics, industry, invention, geopolitics and society. Which brings us to some intriguing ideas about the possibility of our future. Kudos to Kaku. Thank you!
Thomas Ward

Excellent read

I am not a physicisist but I had little problem understanding and following the narrative. Unlike science 'fiction', this offers concrete reasons to be hopeful about our future.

Pretty cool, Fun to dream about the future

Would you listen to Physics of the Future again? Why?

Yes, for researching writing of science fiction.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Physics of the Future?

The nanoparticles section was interesting. I enjoyed when the author put concepts into real world terms.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

If you're into popular science--you'll find this book interesting. I also like Physics for Future Presidents.

Love this book

Outstanding. Thanks for the insights. Have listened three time and I learn something each time.

Easy to understand and follow

I enjoyed a lot while listening. I had bought the hard copy but didn't have the chance to read it. Listening it is amazing.
It was a very interesting book that gives a condensed view of the future. The good think is that most of the concepts described in the book are being invented now.