Michio Kaku is a futurist. He works as a theoretical physicist and as a pioneer for the popularization of science and futuristic ideas. Dr. Kaku is very prolific, writing for blogs, publishing books, hosting science radio programs and BBC’s Visions of the Future series, as well as appearing on the History channel, Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. He holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at CUNY and is a visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. In addition to his work proliferating futuristic beliefs, Dr. Kaku is an outspoken advocate for social policy, publicly expressing his concerns about global warming, nuclear weapons, and space junk and inefficient exploration methods.
Dr. Kaku makes many videos on an array of popular and specialized topics. Here are some examples of the topics he has covered on BigThink’s blog in answering reader’s questions:
The Birth Pangs of a Planetary Civilization
The Future of Quantum Computing
Perhaps the reason to best love Dr. Kaku, is for his passion and commitment to spreading futuristic ideals, theories, and technologies, which will help us achieve futuristic goals all the more quickly, with a conscientious, educated perspective. Check out some of his videos on big think and jump into the complex theoretical field of quantum physics as easily as slipping into an apartment pool.
The Intelligence Revolution – Visions of the Future – BBC
Michio Kaku runs through the development of computers and their computing power’s exponential growth. What will the future look like? Cars driving themselves (happens in the video) robots with human level intelligence, machines working for the betterment of humankind, medical future technologies and the future of ubiquitous internet. He predicts augmented reality glasses from September 2011. Then, he moves through the globalization and prevalence of the machine revolution. It will not be just for the rich, but for everyone. Dr. Kaku also explores virtual reality and the success and breakthroughs of Second Life, the virtual reality computer space.
And finally, a quote from the man himself:
Second, we should try to leave the world a better place than when we entered it. As individuals, we can make a difference, whether it is to probe the secrets of Nature, to clean up the environment and work for peace and social justice, or to nurture the inquisitive, vibrant spirit of the young by being a mentor and a guide.”
― Michio Kaku