Play Audiobook Sample
Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100 Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.01) - 3,333 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Imagine, if you can, the world in the year 2100. In Physics of the Future, Michio Kaku—the New York Times bestselling author of Physics of the Impossible—gives us a stunning, provocative, and exhilarating vision of the coming century based on interviews with over three hundred 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.
Download and start listening now!
"Excellent book in his depth of foretelling the future, a little sophomoric in the way he constantly refers to ancient history to start his chapters. e.g., He'll write something like "The ancient gods lived forever and man can only aspire to such godlike longevity, but in the study of the human genome could lie the secret to everlasting life." Otherwise the book is very organized, six large chapters covering things like AI and medicine and divided into three time periods: up to 2030, 2030 to 2050 and 2050 to 2100. A slow go here and there but the guy knows what he's talking about."
— Steve (4 out of 5 stars)
Physics of the Future Listener Reviews
-
" this was an entertaining read. But I wouldn't call this a science book. Maybe science fiction. Maybe fluff. It is entertaining. I found myself annoyed at some of the "linguistics of the future" attempts (such a word will disappear from the language..) and some very basic bad science popping in -- I remember one specific phrase about the level of a society will be measured by "electrons flowing in the fiber optic cables" -- parse that again for me?!? I found this to be speculation, too much ego, and not enough physics (to include that in the title). A better title would be "My Imagined Future" "
— Matt, 2/20/2014 -
" 300 leading scientists were interviewed to give us a glimpse of life by the year 2100. Abundent, cheap energy, instant detection of disease, controlling objects telepathically, driving cars on magnetic roads that reduces fuel consumption drastically and living way past 100 while still looking 30. These are some of the things to come as long as the human race doesn't destroy itself first. Ultimately positive, it gives real hope for the future. "
— Julie, 2/3/2014 -
" Very intriguing concepts presented, but didn't like writing style. "
— Ben, 1/19/2014 -
" Slow reading. Science fiction backed up with reality. A hi tech approach to what life might be like in the future. You get a few glimpses as to what is being studied and tested in laboratories. "
— Heather, 1/19/2014 -
" I loved this book! It was hopeful and so fascinating. I would recommend it highly to any science buffs! "
— Joye, 1/16/2014 -
" fun thoughts for the future, maybe not so scary after all. "
— Julie, 1/6/2014 -
" Most ridiculously poorly written book you will ever totally enjoy - the content is amazing. "
— Alicia, 9/25/2013 -
" Guess what I was hoping for is the 'Future of Physics' but this was actually futurology with a dose of speculative technology (not much physics). Not too exciting. Thank goodness for libraries. At least I didn't buy it. "
— E, 8/2/2013 -
" This book is fantastic. We are on the brink of changing our future and making history. So cool. An inspiration. "
— H., 7/9/2013 -
" Pretty interesting read overall. Minor complaints on his knowledge of the past, but then again, that is not his forte. "
— Rick, 3/30/2013 -
" Makes ya think. I hope to be around to see some of these changes. Others, I'm not so sure. I do love his writing. He makes me feel smart b/c he's so good at describing complex physics! "
— Cathy, 12/17/2012 -
" Science nonfiction. Very well written and containing enough ideas for a dozen SF books. I liked this more than most science boos. "
— Samuel, 12/17/2012 -
" Great book, very informative. I love how everything was backed up and explained very well. "
— Jamie, 6/16/2012 -
" awesome book. Anyone who is interested in physics and the future should check this out. "
— Daniel, 4/8/2012 -
" Lacking in depth. Promising topic but disapointing execution. "
— Ted, 2/25/2012 -
" Great read to get a quick update on what is going on in the science world. Mr. Kaku does not have a cristal ball and he makes it clear. The book is simply a reasonable peek into the future based on the science that is currently researched...and yet, what is "reasonably" coming is fascinating! "
— Victoria, 2/4/2012 -
" I really liked the current and near-future applications in the book but sped through a lot of the lofty future stuff. Well written. Gets you excited for our future technologies. Science ultimately comes down to physics. "
— Joseph, 7/20/2011 -
" Can only tell you if this is good in 89 years, when we'll know how many of the predictions turned out. However, it is certainly interesting and gives a nice, broad overview of cutting edge physics across artificial intelligence, health care, energy, and so forth. Good read. "
— Rob, 5/23/2011 -
" <br/> <br/> Amazing and sort of scary too... "
— Gayle, 5/16/2011 -
" Excellent book on the future but a little scary. <br/>First 5 star rating I've ever given. "
— Rod, 5/8/2011 -
" Fantastic! Striking resemblance to previous "Physics of the Impossible" Captivating read nonetheless. "
— Reggie, 5/7/2011 -
" Excellent - he makes physics understandable and also explains clearly practical, everyday applications to come. "
— Jildodge, 5/7/2011 -
" I did really like it and I really thought I was understanding it for awhile, then it went beyond my imagination to perceive. I will re-visit this book again. "
— Linda, 5/2/2011 -
" Makes me want to live a hundred years; makes me think I might. "
— Kathleen, 5/1/2011 -
" I didn't know that a missing Jules Vern manuscript was discovered and published in 1994. "
— MOG, 4/9/2011 -
" WOW . .If this is what it's going to be like in the next century, I want to stick around and see it. "
— Jim, 4/8/2011
About Michio Kaku
Michio Kaku is a professor of physics at the City University of New York, cofounder of string field theory, and the author of several widely acclaimed science books. He is the science correspondent for CBS’s This Morning and host of the radio programs Science Fantastic and Explorations in Science.
About Feodor Chin
Feodor Chin, an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actor classically trained at the American Conservatory Theater and UCLA. His acting career includes numerous credits in film, television, theater, and voice-over.