Seeing Michio Kaku today. Any questions you'd like me to ask?

[SeventhSigma]

Just going to compile a list and see what I can do if there is a Q&A session/signing. Let me know!

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Please ask him to stop making non-documentary Sci-fi (SyFy?) shows! :)

 

[SeventhSigma]

Why so? XD

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Watch an episode of Sci-Fi Science and see for yourself!

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

I just got off the phone with Michio. He was all atwitter over the prospect of finally meeting SeventhSigma, he could hardly contain himself. He was so exuberant that he cornered the conversation and I forgot to ask him my question so if you get a chance, ask him "Where's that 5 bucks you owe me from last year?"

 

[DR13]

Watch an episode of Sci-Fi Science and see for yourself!

I agree. It's horrible! All he does is make up stuff that isn't close to the realm of possibility and say, "Well we may get there one day." It's pointless.

 

[SeventhSigma]

Technically a lot of the stuff he talks about is based on science we've already shown to be true today, so is it really that big of a stretch?

I mean, I understand that it's always going to sound funny to talk about technology of the future, but it seems like a lot of it is reasonable extrapolation given the current nature of our exponential growth (as well as what history's shown us).

Granted, I don't really like the whole "other dimensions" talk -- in fact I don't like talking about other dimensions much at all.

 

[DR13]

Technically a lot of the stuff he talks about is based on science we've already shown to be true today, so is it really that big of a stretch?

I mean, I understand that it's always going to sound funny to talk about technology of the future, but it seems like a lot of it is reasonable extrapolation given the current nature of our exponential growth (as well as what history's shown us).

Granted, I don't really like the whole "other dimensions" talk -- in fact I don't like talking about other dimensions much at all.

The "other dimensions" talk seems to be more concrete than what he talks about. It is widely accepted that there are more than the three spatial dimensions + time. However, when he talks about how we could do inter-gallactic travel, he mainly makes up technology that he admits won't be available for many, many years (if ever). It would be more interesting to hear about technologies that could emerge in the next few decades (10-50 years). These are things that we could see in our lifetime.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

My favorite was the one where he was talking about going back in time by building a huge cylinder and navigating around it. Only problem is "oops" the cylinder would have to be more massive than the freaking earth! But hey, we'll figure out a way around that some day.

 

[phinds]

The value of a science popularizer like him is that he gets younger folks interested in science whereas more straightforward academic types. Yeah he stretches things too much and hypothesizes out the wazoo and that makes a lot of us grit out teeth, but if at the end of the day he causes more people to go into science as a field of study, that's a good thing.

He loses the respect of some of his peers because of what he does (or maybe I should say how he does it) but he makes himself a ton of money so I'm sure that balances out for him.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Oh don't get me wrong. I like the guy. He has done some good things, and I enjoy a few of his books (Hyperspace has a great few chapters on him growing up). That show is absolutely horrible though, and I cringe at the end of each one when he says "Let's ask the sci fi fans!" and a bunch of guys give their input on the impossible thing he "accomplished/planned".

I am all for popularizing the sciences, but things like that are presented in a "look what may be possible" or a "look what those other people can do" perspective. I think part of popularizing sciences should include actual science.

 

[gendou2]

All he does is make up stuff that isn't close to the realm of possibility and say, "Well we may get there one day." It's pointless.

For that matter, tell him to stop writing popular physics books, which are bad for the same reason. I pirated a copy of "Physics of the Future", and I STILL want my money back! :(

The value of a science popularizer like him is that he gets younger folks interested in science...

I don't buy this argument.
You can be cool with the kiddies and avoid hyperbole/misrepresentation at the same time.
For an example of this, look to Neil DeGrasse Tyson!

 

[SeventhSigma]

I love Neil deGrasse Tyson as well. But can you explain to me exactly when Kaku is demonstrating hyperbole/misrepresentation? I've never heard him say anything that's exaggerated or incorrect with respect to science. There's plenty that's extrapolated, but I think that's a different story.

 

[lisab]

Oh don't get me wrong. I like the guy. He has done some good things, and I enjoy a few of his books (Hyperspace has a great few chapters on him growing up). That show is absolutely horrible though, and I cringe at the end of each one when he says "Let's ask the sci fi fans!" and a bunch of guys give their input on the impossible thing he "accomplished/planned".

I am all for popularizing the sciences, but things like that are presented in a "look what may be possible" or a "look what those other people can do" perspective. I think part of popularizing sciences should include actual science.

I agree. Someone here on PF had a great analogy about this. Many science books that are intended for laymen are like pictures taken from the top of Mt Everest: the pictures are pretty, but they give *no* indication of what it's like to be a mountain climber.

(I wish I could remember who said that...I think it was twofish...)

 

[Newai]

I remember seeing him in an interview on a YouTube video being asked about time travel. He suggested that people from the future may already be here. When asked where they were, he said, "Maybe they're invisible."

Uh, yeah. Maybe they are.

Found it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnkE2yQPw6s

 

[rhody]

I just got off the phone with Michio. He was all atwitter over the prospect of finally meeting SeventhSigma, he could hardly contain himself. He was so exuberant that he cornered the conversation and I forgot to ask him my question so if you get a chance, ask him "Where's that 5 bucks you owe me from last year?"

Hehe, priceless Jimmy, priceless...

Rhody...

 

[DR13]

I love Neil deGrasse Tyson as well. But can you explain to me exactly when Kaku is demonstrating hyperbole/misrepresentation? I've never heard him say anything that's exaggerated or incorrect with respect to science. There's plenty that's extrapolated, but I think that's a different story.

I gave the example of inter-gallactic travel. Kaku stated that the traveler would need to be encased in an energy shell the size of Jupiter to be safe from ramming into debris. Also, the ship would have to some how warp space time because it would be necessary to break the speed of light without violating the laws of physics. QuarkCharmer talked about the time travel episode and how that was rediculous.

This is hyperbole. If someone without a PhD said it, then it would just be someone's imagination.

 

[phinds]

Oh don't get me wrong. I like the guy. He has done some good things, and I enjoy a few of his books (Hyperspace has a great few chapters on him growing up). That show is absolutely horrible though, and I cringe at the end of each one when he says "Let's ask the sci fi fans!" and a bunch of guys give their input on the impossible thing he "accomplished/planned".

I am all for popularizing the sciences, but things like that are presented in a "look what may be possible" or a "look what those other people can do" perspective. I think part of popularizing sciences should include actual science.

I absolutely agree w/ everything you've said. His playing to the morons is what's grating.

 

[Darken-Sol]

it sounds like every one is bustin this guys balls for doing science fiction. for the lay person it is almost all sci fi as we will not have a chance to prove or disprove most things. i do have some questions about the higgs boson, but i have to do some more research first.

 

[Andre]

...if you get a chance, ask him "Where's that 5 bucks you owe me from last year?"

and

... He suggested that people from the future may already be here. ..

Hmm, maybe we should ask "where's that 5 bucks you owe me from next year?"

 

[glueball8]

I'm glad most PFers share my view on Michio Kaku. I get very annoyed when I see him on youtube because I feel he is misleading viewers.

Even though most of what he says isn't wrong (or right) because his just theorizing. But when those who knows no science hear it, they treat it as fact. Which ends up into metaphysics and pseudosciences. This type of edutainment/scientainment needs to stop.

 

[Lacy33]

it sounds like every one is bustin this guys balls for doing science fiction. for the lay person it is almost all sci fi as we will not have a chance to prove or disprove most things. i do have some questions about the higgs boson, but i have to do some more research first.

 

[pergradus]

Yea seriously, ask him to stop going on T.V. and saying a bunch of ******** that normal people aren't educated enough to understand are only playful "maybe" scenarios.

 

[russ_watters]

it sounds like every one is bustin this guys balls for doing science fiction.

No, it's for passing off science fiction as science.

...for the lay person it is almost all sci fi as we will not have a chance to prove or disprove most things.

This is why it is so important for people who sound like authority figures to actually know what they are talking about. Most people will just believe whatever a guy with "phd" after their name says. It's harmful both to the public who doesn't know and the scientific community that becomes less worthy of the public trust.

 

[Nicook5]

I think most of you are being a bit harsh, and a lot of you are probably not in a much better position to call him out than the people his shows are designed for. Without people like him, although in my case it was more Ian Stewart with Flatterland, I would probably not have much of a serious interest in math/physics as a career. So I thank him for that, although I do have to admit that scifi show is a bit...

 

[flyingpig]

Ask him why does he talk about the same thing over and over and over again in all of his documentaries

 

[glueball8]

I think most of you are being a bit harsh, and a lot of you are probably not in a much better position to call him out than the people his shows are designed for. Without people like him, although in my case it was more Ian Stewart with Flatterland, I would probably not have much of a serious interest in math/physics as a career. So I thank him for that, although I do have to admit that scifi show is a bit...

How about when he goes on CNN to talk about the nuclear power plant situation in Japan? He is not a nuclear power plant expert at all. I feel he should really stick to his own field.

Its really different how he talks about science (or science friction but he don't make it clear) from how Feynman would talk about some ideas like computing/nanotechnology in his time. Where when Feynman talks about it you learn something real, but when Prof. Kaku talk about classes of civilizations for example you learn nothing. (Even though you'll learn nothing, it might sometimes get people interested in physics lead to bad metaphysics.)

 

[russ_watters]

Even though you'll learn nothing, it might sometimes get people interested in physics lead to bad metaphysics.

Yes, when exposed to this stuff, you get pushed in the general direction of science, but specifically in the direction of real science. The result is some people might find their way to real science after this push while others will find their way to crackpottery.

 

[pergradus]

How about when he goes on CNN to talk about the nuclear power plant situation in Japan? He is not a nuclear power plant expert at all. I feel he should really stick to his own field.

Its really different how he talks about science (or science friction but he don't make it clear) from how Feynman would talk about some ideas like computing/nanotechnology in his time. Where when Feynman talks about it you learn something real, but when Prof. Kaku talk about classes of civilizations for example you learn nothing. (Even though you'll learn nothing, it might sometimes get people interested in physics lead to bad metaphysics.)

exactly!

 

[Loren Booda]

Dr. Kaku will only answer one question per person from the audience, so make it good.

 

[rhody]

Dr. Kaku will only answer one question per person from the audience, so make it good.

I don't care what question is asked, but someone needs to slip the producers of his show a slip of paper with this thread link on it. I doubt a dose of "reality" will do any good, but I would love to be a fly on the wall when his staff saw this post.

Rhody...

 

[MacLaddy]

Yes, when exposed to this stuff, you get pushed in the general direction of science, but specifically in the direction of real science. The result is some people might find their way to real science after this push while others will find their way to crackpottery.

Michio Kaku and Neil deGrasse Tyson both influenced me into going back to school to learn this stuff for myself, so over the top or not I think he is great.

There are crackpot influences no matter where you look, at least he is giving a sleight academic edge to it.

 

[SeventhSigma]

I really disagree that he is perpetuating pseudoscience when a lot of what he's discussing is technology that already exists and just needs to be further developed and refined.

I agree that the "Maybe the travelers from the future are all around us and they're just invisible" is a bit of a crackpot conclusion bordering on conspiracy-theory mentality, but I see those statements as being in the minority compared to everything else I've ever heard him say.

I also don't think you need to be an "expert" in nuclear physics to know about how radiation works and that there was a lot of fearmongering going down. Kaku is well-known in the public and his scientific literacy is what helps bridge that gap.

As for the civilization scale, I don't think the point is that it needs to have "practical use" -- it's just a way to show us where we are in the big picture of things.

Last night, Neil deGrasse Tyson actually made a surprise appearance and introduced Kaku and then later fielded Q&A. It was so great to be literally a few feet away from both of them. :O

 

[DR13]

There are crackpot influences no matter where you look, at least he is giving a sleight academic edge to it.

I would say that this is a bad thing. It makes crackpots feel validated.

 

[DR13]

I really disagree that he is perpetuating pseudoscience when a lot of what he's discussing is technology that already exists and just needs to be further developed and refined.

You mean like teleportation, inter-gallactic travel, and time travel? These technologies do not exist in any way, shape, or form (except teleportation, but that is just of photons so I don't count it yet).

Also, what did you end up asking?

 

[MacLaddy]

I would say that this is a bad thing. It makes crackpots feel validated.

I don't think crackpots need validation. If they did, they wouldn't be crackpots.

 

[DR13]

I don't think crackpots need validation. If they did, they wouldn't be crackpots.

Touche. But still, I would rather have Kaku talk about things that are possible in the shorter term (10-50 years).

 

[MacLaddy]

Touche. But still, I would rather have Kaku talk about things that are possible in the shorter term (10-50 years).

I agree. It would be nice if he toned it down a bit, but I wonder how much of that is him, and how much is network influenced.

Considering his books, I suppose its mostly his input.

 

[SeventhSigma]

You mean like teleportation, inter-gallactic travel, and time travel? These technologies do not exist in any way, shape, or form (except teleportation, but that is just of photons so I don't count it yet).

Also, what did you end up asking?

Teleportation is actually on its way.

But intergalactic travel/time travel is something that almost every agrees upon as being an insanely difficult feat and it's not like we see him gunning for that stuff any time soon.

Kaku frequently cites Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law ("Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic") and so on some level he does know that talking about future technology is likely to sound crazy to most people. But then you jump forward a handful of years and find that the naysayers are almost always wrong. Growth has a massive presence in the tech industry (hence the high P/E ratios).

Even my own girlfriend, who accompanied me last night, was a bit freaked out by some of the technology Kaku discussed, but it's still important to keep in mind that the technology already exists. Much of what he discussed last night *was* technology of the 10-50 years-ahead variety (invisibility, nanotech, wearable computing, augmented reality, smart windows/glass/paper, Moore's Law, quantum computing, brainwave technology, etc).

 

[Leptos]

Seriously PF, unless you suffer from severe autism or asperger syndrome, I see no reason why you should react to what Kaku is doing in this manner. Simply put, Kaku is doing a great job of popularizing physics(and mathematics) and those that he inspires to pursue these subjects at the technical level will not be harmed by anything he has said. To even get the opportunity to have a time slot for these shows requires that he generate content interesting enough for viewers tuning into return the next show. Please, don't be so thick headed. Those of you that are intelligent, as opposed to simply snobby, will understand why popularizers of science present material in the way that they do. I personally became interested in science through Kaku's books and although I knew the material would be very different at the technical level, it was a starting point, and I'm not sure if this is common, but Kaku was a great influence on me becoming a math student.

 

[MacLaddy]

Seriously PF, unless you suffer from severe autism or asperger syndrome, I see no reason why you should react to what Kaku is doing in this manner.

Do you believe that the members of PF are part of a larger collective consciousness, or perhaps that of a hive mind- like the Borg? Maybe your science fiction has gone a bit too far.

If you have criticism, please direct it appropriately.

 

[Misericorde]

Is it theoretically possible (say via 'magic') to create something like a wormhole to traverse, which allows travel at something significantly below 'c'?

 

[JaredJames]

Is it theoretically possible (say via 'magic') to create something like a wormhole to traverse, which allows travel at something significantly below 'c'?

I can pull a unicorn out of my backside if you want to allow magic.

There are theoretical ways to create wormholes, but they involve exotic matter.

Wormholes don't violate relativity.

This is a discussion for elsewhere, not here. There are plenty of threads on the subject.

 

[Misericorde]

I can pull a unicorn out of my backside if you want to allow magic.

There are theoretical ways to create wormholes, but they involve exotic matter.

Wormholes don't violate relativity.

This is a discussion for elsewhere, not here. There are plenty of threads on the subject.

I'm asking this regarding a work of fiction, so unicorns as a valid mechanism works for me. As for asking Dr. Kaku, given his history of speculation and erudition, he seems ideal to ask this kind of question.

 

[JaredJames]

I'm asking this regarding a work of fiction, so unicorns as a valid mechanism works for me. As for asking Dr. Kaku, given his history of speculation and erudition, he seems ideal to ask this kind of question.

Fiction let's you do what you like.

You don't need to ask him that, there is plenty of material out there on the subject that doesn't involve the use of magic.

 

[glueball8]

Yes, when exposed to this stuff, you get pushed in the general direction of science, but specifically in the direction of real science. The result is some people might find their way to real science after this push while others will find their way to crackpottery.

Yes, I agree that it might push people in the direction real science, but that is only after they did studying away from Prof. Kaku. And it might also lead people crack pottery, but I feel that when Prof. Kaku talks its almost like the movie "What the beep do we know", even though it might lead towards people studying real science but it mostly will lead to crackpottery. Now if someone was listen to someone like Richard Feynman, they will get interested in science but there's hardly any chance of them going into crackpottery.

From what I have seen Neil deGrasse Tyson is completely different from Prof. Kaku, Neil deGrasse Tyson's thoughts were scientifically stated.

Teleportation is actually on its way.

What do you mean by that? You mean having me here and the next second in China is on its way?

 

[Misericorde]

Fiction let's you do what you like.

You don't need to ask him that, there is plenty of material out there on the subject that doesn't involve the use of magic.

Do you know the answer to my question then? Beyond that, I like to cut my fiction closer to what is possible than simply using buzzwords. There is 'fairy magic', 'Star Trek' magic, and then the more subtle magic of such authors as Larry Niven. I'd prefer that unicorns not be the mechanism by which this kind of travel is achieved in my writing, and I'd be interested if it's possible using a wormhole, or if you'd need something less, because a wormhole is by definition something which can be a time machine if it's '2-way'.

 

[JaredJames]

Do you know the answer to my question then?

I've told you, there are theories on it. GOOGLE WORMHOLES! It's really not that difficult.

The results will explain to you the basis of wormholes so you can use it. Again, there are plenty of threads here on the subject.

No, we don't have a way of making them because we lack the materials required to do so.

The moment you mention use of wormholes in a story you are in the realms of fiction.

 

[Misericorde]

I've told you, there are theories on it. GOOGLE WORMHOLES! It's really not that difficult.

The results will explain to you the basis of wormholes so you can use it. Again, there are plenty of threads here on the subject.

No, we don't have a way of making them because we lack the materials required to do so.

The moment you mention use of wormholes in a story you are in the realms of fiction.

It's the sheer variety and madness that arises from that kind of search that drew me here in the in the first place. I'm done justifying my question, although if you have some scholarly articles to link I'll be happy to read them. Your view is noted, but my question remains and that says a lot about your ability to answer it perhaps. It's possible that answers like yours are the reasons I'm not asking you, and why I would like the opinion of a man who does tend to speculate in the realm of wormholes and such.

 

[DR13]

It's the sheer variety and madness that arises from that kind of search that drew me here in the in the first place. I'm done justifying my question, although if you have some scholarly articles to link I'll be happy to read them. Your view is noted, but my question remains and that says a lot about your ability to answer it perhaps. It's possible that answers like yours are the reasons I'm not asking you, and why I would like the opinion of a man who does tend to speculate in the realm of wormholes and such.

I'd recemmend starting a new thread. That way people who know how to answer your question can see the title and answer it.