Physicist Michio Kaku isn't afraid of scientific frontiers, whether it's the super-subatomic world of string theory or the mind-bogglingly big world of the accelerating universe. In books and on TV, he's delved into the physics of the impossible and the physics of the future. <\/p>\n
Kaku's latest focus is a real stretch: It's the scientific frontier that sits between your temples. In his latest book, \"The Future of the Mind,\" Kaku surveys the burgeoning field of neuroscience. You might think the subject is out of a string theorist's usual comfort zone, but his breezy, science-fictiony style wins the day. \"The Future of the Mind\" has been on The New York Times' best-seller list for the past month. <\/p>\n
In preparation for our talk-show gig on \"Virtually Speaking Science,\" Kaku fielded some questions about the far-out future of the mind. Here's an edited transcript of the Q&A: <\/p>\n
Alan Boyle: The first thing a person might ask is, 'What's a string theorist doing writing about neuroscience?' <\/p>\n
Michio Kaku: \"Well, ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by the brain, by the mind. When I was a child, I used to do experiments on telepathy and telekinesis and recording memories. Eventually, I concluded that all of that was bunk. However, now I'm a physicist, and using physics, we can now probe the brain in detail that was unimaginable just a few years ago. <\/p>\n
\"We've learned more about the brain over the past decade than in all the rest of human history, and it's from physics that we have all the instruments with which we can trace blood flow in the brain, and actually see thoughts ricocheting like a ping-pong ball. <\/p>\n
\"Telepathy ... telekinesis ... recording memories, uploading memories ... even photographing a dream: All of that is now possible because of advanced physics.\" <\/p>\n
Q: One of the concepts that you put forward in the book is the idea of a 'brain-net,' which will connect people directly, brain to brain. How do you envision that working, and when might we see the beginnings of the brain-net? <\/p>\n
A: \"The Internet will eventually be replaced by a brain-net, in which we can experience emotions, memories and sensations. Of course, teenagers are going to go crazy on Facebook they'll share the memory of their first kiss, their first date, the senior prom. All those emotions and hormones will be pumping away, on Facebook! <\/p>\n
\"The first steps in this direction were taken just last year. For the first time in history, a memory was recorded. It was recorded in a mouse. Next, we'll do it for primates. The short-term goal is to create a 'brain pacemaker' for Alzheimer's patients, so they can push a button and they'll know who they are and where they live. And beyond that well, maybe we'll be able to upload a vacation that we never had.\" <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continue reading here:<\/p>\n
Get ready for the 'brain-net'<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Physicist Michio Kaku isn't afraid of scientific frontiers, whether it's the super-subatomic world of string theory or the mind-bogglingly big world of the accelerating universe. Continue reading