The Future of the Mind

The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind

By: Michio Kaku

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of Physics of the Impossible, Physics of the Future and Hyperspace tackles the most fascinating and complex object in the known universe: the human brain.

For the first time in history, the secrets of the living brain are being revealed by a battery of high-tech brain scans devised by physicists. Now what was once solely the province of science fiction has become a startling reality. Recording memories, telepathy, videotaping our dreams, mind control, avatars, and telekinesis are not only possible; they already exist.

The Future of the Mind gives us an authoritative and compelling look at the astonishing research being done in top laboratories around the world - all based on the latest advancements in neuroscience and physics. One day we might have a "smart pill" that can enhance our cognition; be able to upload our brain to a computer, neuron for neuron; send thoughts and emotions around the world on a "brain-net"; control computers and robots with our mind; push the very limits of immortality; and perhaps even send our consciousness across the universe.

Dr. Kaku takes us on a grand tour of what the future might hold, giving us not only a solid sense of how the brain functions but also how these technologies will change our daily lives. He even presents a radically new way to think about "consciousness" and applies it to provide fresh insight into mental illness, artificial intelligence and alien consciousness.

With Dr. Kaku's deep understanding of modern science and keen eye for future developments, The Future of the Mind is a scientific tour de force - an extraordinary, mind-boggling exploration of the frontiers of neuroscience.

©2014 Michio Kaku (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"In this expansive, illuminating journey through the mind, theoretical physicist Kaku ( Physics of the Future) explores fantastical realms of science fiction that may soon become our reality. His futurist framework merges physics with neuroscience...applied to demonstrations that ‘show proof-of-principle’ in accomplishing what was previously fictional: That minds can be read, memories can be digitally stored, and intelligences can be improved to great extents. The discussion, while heavily scientific, is engaging, clear, and replete with cinematic references.... These new mental frontiers make for captivating reading." ( Publishers Weekly )

"Kaku turns his attention to the human mind with equally satisfying results…. Telepathy is no longer a fantasy since scanners can already detect, if crudely, what a subject is thinking, and genetics and biochemistry now allow researchers to alter memories and increase intelligence in animals. Direct electrical stimulation of distinct brain regions has changed behavior, awakened comatose patients, relieved depression, and produced out-of-body and religious experiences…. Kaku is not shy about quoting science-fiction movies and TV (he has seen them all)… he delivers ingenious predictions extrapolated from good research already in progress." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Chin tells the story of the popularization of brain science with an up-tempo, keeping the listener's interest in the dense material.... This is an excellent attempt at bringing academic research to the layperson in audio format." ( AudioFile)

another insightful book on futuristic science

I love this author. wonderful at guiding your imagination through the future of scientific development

A fascinating story with a problematic reading

Where does The Future of the Mind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's difficult to rank any of the Audible books because almost all of them have been excellent. I would say it is clearly among the excellent ones.

What did you like best about this story?

The author has researched his material by conducting personal interviews with the greatest scientists of our time! He has not relied on secondary sources. Moreover he has an amazing talent for making complex ideas intelligible by lay persons.

What didn’t you like about Feodor Chin’s performance?

Mr. Chin read with a cadence that I have occasionally heard when listening to anchor news reporters--short bursts of words with the emphasis on the last word. In addition he pronounced the word "a" as the "a" in "ace" rather than the "a" sound in "mop". The combination of these characteristics so thoroughly distorted the true emphasis and meaning of the text that it was a strain to listen to more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time. My son-in-law and daughter agreed. It's a pity because he has clear pronunciation and a pleasant voice that conveys enthusiasm for the subject. I did sample the book before purchasing it, but a small sample is insufficient for detecting this problem.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The human brain and the universe.

Good Science, Good Entertainment

What made the experience of listening to The Future of the Mind the most enjoyable?

This is a very thought provoking book that is not bogged down by a lot of technicalities. Kaku-san brings us up to date on recent research in biology and cognitive science against a physics (quantum) background. There is speculation, prediction and thoughtful projection of the scientific world presented in a thoroughly entertaining read (or listen). The latter part of the book is a little too much of a rehash of "futurism" (with less of a focus on the mind), but it is still very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

Complex science made accessible for the interested laymen. If you can read (and generally understand) a Scientific American article, you will have no problem with this book.

Have you listened to any of Feodor Chin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Good, but not the best. Yes, you can listen to this book at 1.25x and miss little.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The discussion of recent evidence of structural and chemical deficiencies in the brain and their link to mental illness was most interesting. It appears that psychiatry has been trying for 80 years to fix a car's engine by polishing the hood instead of looking inside.

Any additional comments?

This is one you will want to listen to and finish as soon as you can. Real reading enjoyment.

Complex Subject

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The subject matter and topics intrigue me but, "leave me behind". I had some difficulty following and connecting some topics. I'll listen again.

stellar book from cover to cover

Dr. Kaku has such deep understanding and such wild imagination as to be both trustworthy and enthralling. I really enjoy his work, and this outing is no different. Great stuff :-)

Not quite what I'd hoped

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

Not enough meat.

Any additional comments?

I love Michio Kaku's stuff, and bought this book reflexively. It isn't bad, but there are other books out there on the brain and behavior that are a little better. I would look at some of Mr. Kaku's earlier works for good popular physics and direct the reader elsewhere for books about the brain and its behaviors. Still, not a bad book at all.

It's new, it's broad, it touches every thing!

Dr Kaku's writing is always inspiring and sure to keep the audience engaged. This book is even more special. In it he broadened the discussion beyond quantum physic and cosmology. It's such an art that he can knit seemingly scattered area of interest into one coherent stream of thoughts. Whether one’s interest is in medicine, neurology, biology, computer science, quantum physic or science fiction movie, one would find plenty of enjoyable discussion. While Dr Kaku did not shy in bringing out the philosophical controversy of possible man-made intelligent and conscious mind, nor talk about his personal view on the matter, he succeeded talking about the whole serious issue with lots of candour and humour.

Reading the book, I was entertained, and educated at the same time. Highly recommend!

Great work from Michio Kaku and Feodor Chin

Full of great content, extremelly accurate and perfectly narrated. Another great work from Michio Kaku and Feodor Chin. Very recommended.

Wonderful insight.

Beautiful insight into current and future studies and advancements in the field of neuroscience by an author that clearly lives and is passionate for his work. Long for my taste, but worth the listen if you express the same interest.

I had a tear dropping at the end

The storyline of the book was so well designed and the information given is easily understandable. The book had an huge impact on my life. It gave an scientific answers to my thought that I had through my life. I felt sad, useless, amazed, hopeful through the book but at the end I felt blissful and had a tear dropping from my eyes because of the joy that this book has given me.
Ps: Would be nice to sit and talk to Michio Kaku for an hour :)