Parallel Worlds

A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos

De: Michio Kaku

Narrado por: Marc Vietor

Is our universe dying?
Could there be other universes?
In Parallel Worlds, world-renowned physicist and bestselling author Michio Kaku—an author who “has a knack for bringing the most ethereal ideas down to earth” (Wall Street Journal)—takes readers on a fascinating tour of cosmology, M-theory, and its implications for the fate of the universe.

In his first book of physics since Hyperspace, Michio Kaku begins by describing the extraordinary advances that have transformed cosmology over the last century, and particularly over the last decade, forcing scientists around the world to rethink our understanding of the birth of the universe, and its ultimate fate. In Dr. Kaku’s eyes, we are living in a golden age of physics, as new discoveries from the WMAP and COBE satellites and the Hubble space telescope have given us unprecedented pictures of our universe in its infancy.

As astronomers wade through the avalanche of data from the WMAP satellite, a new cosmological picture is emerging. So far, the leading theory about the birth of the universe is the “inflationary universe theory,” a major refinement on the big bang theory. In this theory, our universe may be but one in a multiverse, floating like a bubble in an infinite sea of bubble universes, with new universes being created all the time. A parallel universe may well hover a mere millimeter from our own.

The very idea of parallel universes and the string theory that can explain their existence was once viewed with suspicion by scientists, seen as the province of mystics, charlatans, and cranks. But today, physicists overwhelmingly support string-theory, and its latest iteration, M-theory, as it is this one theory that, if proven correct, would reconcile the four forces of the universe simply and elegantly, and answer the question “What happened before the big bang?”

Already, Kaku explains, the world’s foremost physicists and astronomers are searching for ways to test the theory of the multiverse using highly sophisticated wave detectors, gravity lenses, satellites, and telescopes. The implications of M-theory are fascinating and endless. If parallel worlds do exist, Kaku speculates, in time, perhaps a trillion years or more from now, as appears likely, when our universe grows cold and dark in what scientists describe as a big freeze, advanced civilizations may well find a way to escape our universe in a kind of “inter-dimensional lifeboat.”

An unforgettable journey into black holes and time machines, alternate universes, and multidimensional space, Parallel Worlds gives us a compelling portrait of the revolution sweeping the world of cosmology.

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Advance praise for PARALLEL WORLDS

“In Parallel Worlds, Michio Kaku brings his formidable explanatory talents to bear on one of the strangest and most exciting possibilities to have emerged from modern physics: that our universe may be but one among many, perhaps infinitely many, arrayed in a vast cosmic network. With deft use of analogy and humor, Kaku patiently introduces the reader to variations on this theme of parallel universes, coming from quantum mechanics, cosmology, and most recently, M-theory. Read this book for a wonderful tour, with an expert guide, of a cosmos whose comprehension forces us to stretch to the very limits of imagination.” —Brian Greene, Professor of Theoretical Particle Physics, Columbia University, and author of The Fabric of the Cosmos and The Elegant Universe

“Those who might enjoy a tour of cosmology, time travel, string theory, and the universe in 10 or 11 dimensions will find no better guide than Michio Kaku, a rare individual who has undertaken research in these subject areas yet also knows well how to present this intriguing, complex material in an engaging and easily assimilable style.” —Donald Goldsmith, author of The Runaway Universe and Connecting with the Cosmos

“A highly readable and exhilarating romp through the frontiers of cosmology.”
—Martin Rees, author of Our Cosmic Habitat and Our Final Century

“A roller-coaster ride through the universe—and beyond—by one of the world’s finest science writers. Michio Kaku shows that the surface familiarity of the physical world conceals a wonderland of weird entities—dark matter and energy, hidden dimensions of space, and tiny loops of vibrating string that hold the cosmos together. In the universe according to Kaku, reality is as mind-bending as the most exhilarating science fiction.” —Paul Davies, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, Macquarie University, Sydney, and author of How to Build a Time Machine


“Michio Kaku has done it again. In Parallel Worlds, he deftly transforms the frontier of physics into a kind of amusement park, where you actually have fun while reading about Einstein's relativity, quantum mechanics, cosmology, and string theory. But the real story here is how Kaku invokes these powerful tools to speculate about multiple universes and their philosophical implications for our perceptions of God and the meaning of life.” —Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium, New York City, and author of Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution

A complete masterpiece of modern thoughts

This book was fascinating because not only did it clearly layout complicated scientific theories in a easy to understand why, it also left the sense of awe and wonder which so much of this genre of literature is devoid of. Although the author's opinion and views we're clear it was not opinionated. he laid out the different lines of thought and took them to their logical conclusion through each perspective. I would recommend anyone that is interested in physics for its own sake or one who is curious about the philosophical and Theological implications of the grand discoveries which it is made to read this book. If I could tell Michio Kaku thank you face to face for all of his great work I would.

Thought-provoking

I was familiar with nearly all the topics discussed in the book, yet still the author did a great job of disseminating the topics and ideas he discusses. The author frequently references books and movies which is great, however, he was strangely incorrect when he referenced the movie The Matrix, and said that aliens created the simulation. Clearly he was either not paying attention to The Matrix, never saw it, or even worse is just plain wrong about his interpretation of what he saw. What is concerning to me is that if he could get a simple thing like that wrong, how much more of this book is wrong. Even so, I enjoyed the book as I've enjoyed many books by the author.

Fascinating view on our past present and future

Beautifully narrated, simply explained to a dummy like myself and the narrative is breathtaking. This was my first Audible experience and now i'm hooked!

Great

Good narration and subject matter is quite detailed and as interesting as it can get without too much math.

The Narrator uses unconventional pronunciations

He uses unconventional pronunciations, particularly with the words "dimension" and "physicist". I find quite unsettling.

Michio Kaku is an absolute legend

Michio Kaku Is a mad dog, which is an extremely positive expression here in Australia. This is the second time I’ve listen to this book and it won’t be the last. His discussions over a variety of topics leaves one feeling mystified and excited about the future of science. Even though this book is nearly 10 years old now it is more relevant than ever. No scientific background is needed for this book as the analogies used to explain scientific concepts are really clever and interesting.

Unbelievable story

Very intriguing story about our universe. It does feel like you are one of with time as the book unfolds.

Love is one way to put it

Love, adoration, wonder, excitement, epiphany... this book conjures them all. It will set your mind on fire if you haven’t read any of Dr. Kaku’s other later books besides Impossible Physics.

Deeply Thought Provoking

Negative - Unnecessarily wordy at some points, Voice is pleasant but somewhat encourages sleep.

Positive- Easily one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read. There is an excellent mix of science and the ramifications of that science on theology and dogma. I gained several new perspectives and am deeply grateful for the read. Wonderful book.

One of my favs

Great foundation in science and still filled with wonder. Gives meaning to life without religious underpinnings. A+