Off the Shelf
Kaku’s new book examines ‘Physics of the Impossible’
American theoretical physicist says nothing is impossible ... well, almost nothing.
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
Article published on Monday, July 21, 2008  |
 |
![[Image]](/content_images/072108_lebook-01.jpg) |
| “Physics of the Impossible,” by Michio Kaku, published by Doubleday, 2008. |
|
According to a timeline of the “Star Trek” universe, humanity is only a few short decades away from discovering “warp technology,” which will allow for interstellar space travel – but that’s just fiction, right?
Funny thing about good science fiction: It anticipates technological advances decades, even centuries before scientific progress can make the dreams of visionaries come true.
In Michio Kaku’s new book, “Physics of the Impossible,” the American theoretical physicist delves into the probability that technology which presently only exists in the realms of popular science fiction literature, television programs and films, may some day become reality.
Don’t break out the space suits just yet, though.
Kaku first redefines the word impossible, offering several examples of common technologies in use today that were deemed impossibilities a hundred years ago because “the basic laws of physics and science were not known in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th.” He next categorizes speculative technologies into three groups of “impossibilities:”
- Class I Impossibilities are impossible today but, since they do not violate the known laws of physics, they may become possible in this century or the next.
- Class II Impossibilities are “technologies that sit at the very edge of our understanding of the physical world,” and, if possible at all, may take thousands to millions of years to develop.
- Class III Impossibilities violate the known laws of physics and would, should any of them prove to be possible, “represent a fundamental shift in our understanding of physics.”
Interestingly, Kaku groups things like force fields, intelligent robots, starships, phasers and “Death Stars” in Class I. Coming from a guy who went to the National Science Fair in high school in the early 1960s with a home-made atom smasher he built in his parents’ garage, that seems pretty promising.
Kaku points out that in the science of teleportation (a staple in the “Star Trek” universe), breakthroughs have already been made. IBM scientists as far back as 1994 were able to show that teleportation, at the atomic level, is physically possible. In 2004, quantum teleportation was demonstrated with atoms.
Scotty won’t be beaming anyone aboard the Enterprise in the near future, though. For now, Kaku believes that transporting complex molecules or even a living cell may be possible before the end of the 21st century; however, it may take centuries to unlock the science of teleporting a human being.
What makes “Physics of the Impossible” such an engaging read is Kaku’s ability to make the abstract theories of quantum physics accessible to practically anyone, from the hardcore science fiction addict to the armchair scientist. Citing pop culture references throughout the book, Kaku demonstrates which technologies do and do not conform to the known laws of physics.
When discussing invisibility, Kaku references the Klingon cloaking device, Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak and even the One Ring of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” When discussing time travel, he mentions “Back to the Future,” the “Terminator” movies and “The Time Machine.”
Kaku’s enthusiasm for the future is infectious. While the scientist in him remains pragmatic and firmly planted in reality, he frequently reveals that he – like so many classic creators of speculative and science fiction – has the heart of a dreamer. Kaku confesses his early love for science fiction, recalling hours spent in front of the television during his childhood immersed in an old “Flash Gordon” rerun.
In “Physics of the Impossible,” Kaku illustrates the importance of science fiction – how it forecasts technological advancements and how it inspires scientists to search for ways to make the impossible possible.
“Physics of the Impossible,” published by Doubleday, is now available.
Other books available now or due to hit the shelves in the coming weeks include:
- “Iron Elves: A Darkness Forged in Fire,” by Chris Evans, available now from Simon and Schuster. The first book in a debut series, Evans’ tale introduces a world of musket and cannon, bow and arrow, magic, diplomacy and oaths. Visit www.simonsays.com.
- “Vampires of Hollywood,” by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott, available now from St. Martin’s Press. Barbeau, a genre favorite for her performances in “The Fog,” “Creepshow” and “Escape from New York,” joins forces with Scott, author of the young adult bestseller “The Alchemyst,” to create an intriguing dark fantasy involving a secret vampire conspiracy working in the film industry. Visit us.macmillan.com/SMP.aspx.
- “No House Limit,” by Steve Fisher, available now from Dorchester Publishing. Fisher, nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay for “Destination Tokyo,” offers a sizzling insider’s view of Las Vegas in this Hard Case Crime selection. Visit www.dorchesterpub.com.
- “Steampunk,” edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer, available now from Tachyon Publications. Steampunk, a subgenre which blends Victorian elegance with modern technology, envisions things like steam-driven robots, souped-up stagecoaches and space-faring dirigibles. The VanderMeers have gathered classic steampunk stories and offer an essential reading list for the discerning steampunk fan. Visit www.tachyonpublications.com.
- “The Bourne Sanction,” by Eric Van Lustbader, available July 28 from Grand Central Publishing. Based on Robert Ludlum’s character, the novel has Jason Bourne returning to Georgetown University seeking normalcy, only to find himself immersed in a murder investigation involving a terrorist organization known as the Black Legion. Visit www.hachettebookgroupusa.com.
- “Black Glass,” by John Shirley, forthcoming from Elder Signs Press. Billed as Shirley’s “lost cyberpunk novel,” “Black Glass” is set in a future in which human society is sinking into a mire of escapism, populated by virtual reality addicts. Visit www.eldersignspress.com.
|
Article published on Monday, July 21, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
