Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel
by: Michio Kaku
Published by: Anchor Books
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Reviewed by Diane Snyder
Will Silicon Valley soon become Rust Valley? Will machines be able to think and have emotions? Will electrical energy be a thing of the past? Will science fiction soon be more reality than fiction? What is possible and what is impossible? In his latest book, Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, gives an answer to all these tantalizing questions and much more.
The author states that over the centuries, and as late as mid-1900’s, many things that were thought impossible are now not only realities but are everyday things. As long as a supposedly impossible thing obeys the basic laws of physics, it may not be impossible. Dr. Kaku has developed a classification system for the “impossibles.” This classification system consists of three levels of impossibilities, which are simply called Class I, Class II and Class III.
Most of the impossibles fall into Class I, which include those things that do not violate any law of physics but are still unattainable with our current technology and knowledge. Included in this Class are: telepathy, invisibility and, yes, UFOs. Time travel is placed in the Class II of impossibility and in Class III, he lists only two technologies: perpetual motion machines and precognition. These technologies do violate the current known laws of physics but they may be possible tens of thousands of years from now. He is careful to remind us future discoveries could change or modify the existing laws of physics and therefore open up new frontiers of development and technology.
To see the word ”˜physics’ in a book title is scary and may keep some from reading this really engrossing and informative book, however; Physics of the Impossible is very readable and the author, who is also a teacher, explains things in a clear and understandable style. He clarifies his explanations by relating to science fiction such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Flash Gordon and early authors of science fiction such as Jules Vern and H. G. Wells.
The author’s own enthusiasm for his subject has created an exciting and energizing book that brings the world of fiction into the realm reality.
Armchair Interviews agrees.
Author’s Web site: http://www.MKaku.com
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