Why Was Michio Kaku on ABC's 2020 Discussing Apocalyptic Scenarios?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Michio Kaku's appearance on ABC's 2020, which focused on apocalyptic scenarios. Participants express their views on the appropriateness of Kaku's involvement in such a sensationalized program, questioning the intersection of science and media portrayal of catastrophic events.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions Kaku's credibility for appearing on a show perceived as sensationalist, suggesting it undermines the seriousness of scientific discourse.
  • Another participant defends Kaku's popularity and contributions to science, arguing he does not need such appearances for fame.
  • A participant provides context about Kaku's previous association with Physics Forums, noting the challenges of moderating discussions that included less credible contributions.
  • Several participants express disappointment with the sensational nature of the program, with one recalling Kaku's statement about life ending as we know it, which they found alarming.
  • Another participant contrasts Kaku's media presence with his more substantive discussions on PBS, highlighting his ability to explain complex scientific concepts in accessible terms.
  • One participant critiques American news media for sensationalism, suggesting that it compromises the integrity of scientific discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the appropriateness of Kaku's appearance on the show and the nature of media coverage of scientific topics. There is no consensus on whether his involvement was beneficial or detrimental to the public understanding of science.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express frustration with the sensationalism of media portrayals of science, indicating a broader concern about how scientific discussions are framed in popular media.

rasperas
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Michio Kaku??

Question: How was this guy connected to PF -I've seen his name around this site?

Reason: He was in a brief segment of ABC's 2020 last night. The theme of the show was about different theories on the Acopolypse and how it might happen. Instead of a scientific and logical discourse on the matter, it was carried out with an attempt to garner fear (and thus ratings).

When the show began to discuss synthetic viruses, and after a particular description of how a modified small pox will kill your newborn baby, Michio Kaku popped on and described some other effects of an epedemic like this.

What has any respectable physicist got to do with being on yellow trash like 20/20, and especially on a particularly inaccurate and fear-capitalizing episode. Is he trying to become a "popularized scientist" by attempting to get his name out on trashy TV, or was he simply misquoted?

Perhaps this is more of a rant than an actual question, but I really am interested in an answer.

-R
 
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Dr.Kaku is already popular in the world of science. He is the author of some great books and he is co-founder of string field theory. I don't think he needs to be on a "yellow trash" talk show to be famous.

As for your question, I didnt even know he was a connected to this place at all.
 
Formerly Kaku's site had a discussion section. They didn't want to bother with the administration of it so they made a deal for PF to host it. I became the mentor in charge of it. Unfortunately it was full of cranks, and as we gradually raised the bar against crank posting, fewer and fewer people posted on it. Eventually PF dropped it and I believe it is now hosted elsewhere, and still full of cranks.
 
Thanks, selfAdjoint -that was what I wanted to know.

Perhaps I was a bit too critical and generalizing of him and 20/20 -but it was a frustrating program to watch.

Thanks,

R
 
rasperas said:
Thanks, selfAdjoint -that was what I wanted to know.

Perhaps I was a bit too critical and generalizing of him and 20/20 -but it was a frustrating program to watch.

Thanks,

R

Tell me about it.

It was brutal.
 
:smile: I only saw about 20 seconds of it. All I saw was Kaku saying "this will end life as we know it" and I walked away from the TV...
 
Yeah, same here. I saw him talk about the Gamma Ray burst. I was almost sad.
 
I didn't see Dr Kaku's spot on 20/20, but did watch him on the PBS airing of Brief History of Time (by Stephen Hawking). I enjoyed hearing Michio discuss string theory and multidimensional space. He can explain these complex ideas in understandable language (especially for people who enjoy learning about science).

It prompted me to read two of his books (both of which I highly recommend) http://www.mkaku.org/hyperspace.htm next.

His skill in discussing science, reminds me of the late Carl Sagan
 
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If you read Hyperspace and Visions, Beyond Einstein shouldn't be much new. It is kind of like a breif overview of everything... well, beyond Einstein.
 
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One reason that I never watch a Yank so-called 'news' shows is because all of the ones that I've seen specialize in sensationalism and 'ambush journalism'. If Louis Pasteur had been interviewed by Fox, they would have turned it into an 'end of the world plague of bacteria' story... and hyped it in previews. Watch BBC, CBC, CTV or any other respectable service. And notice that I deliberately excluded ABC, NBC, and CBS. They've all fallen prey to the commercial vultures.
 
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  • #11
Danger said:
One reason that I never watch a Yank so-called 'news' shows is because all of the ones that I've seen specialize in sensationalism and 'ambush journalism'. If Louis Pasteur had been interviewed by Fox, they would have turned it into an 'end of the world plague of bacteria' story... and hyped it in previews. Watch BBC, CBC, CTV or any other respectable service. And notice that I deliberately excluded ABC, NBC, and CBS. They've all fallen prey to the commercial vultures.

Ha yeah. Most American news channels are about as credible as The Daily Show and Penn and Teller Bull****. The difference is that you know the Daily Show and P&T are purely for entertainment and not actual news.