Episode
#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
Description
Brought to you by Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, Wealthfront automated investing, and 99designs global design platform. Dr. Michio Kaku (@michiokaku) is a professor of theoretical physics at The City College of New York, co-founder of string field theory, and the author of several widely acclaimed science books, including Beyond Einstein, The Future of Humanity, The Future of the Mind, Hyperspace, Physics of the Future, Physics of the Impossible, and his latest, The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything.He is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning, the host of the radio programs Science Fantastic and Exploration, and a host of several science TV specials for the BBC and the Discovery and Science Channels.Please enjoy!*This episode is brought to you by Wealthfront! Wealthfront pioneered the automated investing movement, sometimes referred to as ‘robo-advising,’ and they currently oversee $20 billion of assets for their clients. It takes about three minutes to sign up, and then Wealthfront will build you a globally diversified portfolio of ETFs based on your risk appetite and manage it for you at an incredibly low cost. Smart investing should not feel like a rollercoaster ride. Let the professionals do the work for you. Go to Wealthfront.com/Tim and open a Wealthfront account today, and you’ll get your first $5,000 managed for free, for life. Wealthfront will automate your investments for the long term. Get started today at Wealthfront.com/Tim.This episode is also brought to you by 99designs, the global creative platform by Vista that makes it easy for designers and clients to work together to create designs they love. Its creative process has become the go-to solution for businesses, agencies, and individuals, and I have used it for years to help with display advertising and illustrations and to rapid-prototype the cover for The Tao of Seneca. Whether your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99designs.You can work with multiple designers at once to get a bunch of different ideas or hire the perfect designer for your project based on their style and industry specialization. It’s simple to review concepts and leave feedback so you’ll end up with a design that you’re happy with. Click this link and get $20 off plus a $99 upgrade.*This episode is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1 by Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system. Right now, Athletic Greens is offering you their Vitamin D Liquid Formula free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit AthleticGreens.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive the free Vitamin D Liquid Formula (and five free travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive all-in-one daily greens product.*What piqued Michio’s curiosity about science at an early age — and what did he build in his garage with his parents’ grudging permission? [05:08]How did hydrogen bomb pioneer Edward Teller, the patron who paid Michio’s way through Harvard, react when he turned down his generous job offer to design hydrogen warheads in favor of probing the mysteries of The Big Bang? [10:20]Knowing his California-born parents had been locked up by the United States government in an internment camp on the basis of their Japanese heritage during WWII, did Michio have any reservations about serving the country during the Vietnam War? [11:30]The ingredients Michio feels are necessary for anyone to rise above any hardship. [12:53]What sci-fi had an impact on young Michio’s curiosity and passion to explore the mysteries of science? [14:47]Does Michio think Einstein underestimated philosophy’s potential for practical application? Are there any philosophies better suited than others for answering the universe’s big questions? Are there any questions that can’t be answered? [16:46]What constitutes burden of proof when it comes to science? [25:56]What is a parallel universe? [35:20]Why does the rate at which time moves vary depending on where it’s observed, and what are the implications of this phenomenon? [37:04]How does Michio think about consciousness? Is the term synonymous with self-awareness? [42:26]When Einstein pondered what it would take to “read the mind of God,” what kind of God was he imagining? For that matter, how does Michio think about the concept of God? [53:22]What is string theory, why is it controversial, and why are such controversies healthy for science? [58:50]What would be the practical applications of a theory of everything proven? What questions could we finally answer? [1:04:37]Does music play a part in how Michio contemplates physics? [1:09:52]Michio’s challenge to our listeners. [1:13:07]Why didn’t cosmologist George Gamow win the Nobel Prize for his work on proving the Big Bang theory? [1:13:36]Is there a career cost for research scientists who work to make science more accessible to the non-academic masses? What is the cost to society if there aren’t scientists willing to take that risk? [1:16:58]How are some scientists seemingly able to predict the future more accurately than others? What advancements does Michio foresee in the next couple of decades? [1:22:13]For listeners unfamiliar with the body of Michio’s work, where does he recommend they begin? [1:29:17]Michio’s favorite Einstein quote and other parting thoughts. [1:30:56]*For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
The podcast mentions an offer from Athletic Greens for a free vitamin D supplement and travel packs with a subscription purchase, and an ad for 99designs offering a free design consultation.
00:00 - 05:19 (05:19)
Summary
The podcast mentions an offer from Athletic Greens for a free vitamin D supplement and travel packs with a subscription purchase, and an ad for 99designs offering a free design consultation.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The story of a physicist who was determined to discover a theoretical equation that would unify all the laws of nature into a compact form.
05:19 - 11:02 (05:43)
Summary
The story of a physicist who was determined to discover a theoretical equation that would unify all the laws of nature into a compact form.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The study of physics can give us an idea about the future and what technologies may or may not become possible.
11:02 - 17:19 (06:17)
Summary
The study of physics can give us an idea about the future and what technologies may or may not become possible. This realization has led to the understanding that the two passions – physics and the future – are essentially the same thing.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The podcast discusses whether certain branches or types of philosophical questioning or thought will become more practical in the future, citing the example of autonomous cars and the trolley problem, and also delves into Albert Einstein's views on philosophy.
17:19 - 22:27 (05:07)
Summary
The podcast discusses whether certain branches or types of philosophical questioning or thought will become more practical in the future, citing the example of autonomous cars and the trolley problem, and also delves into Albert Einstein's views on philosophy.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The emergence of robots that can mimic human behavior and characteristics raises the question: when does a robot become human?
22:27 - 30:35 (08:07)
Summary
The emergence of robots that can mimic human behavior and characteristics raises the question: when does a robot become human? Physicist Michio Kaku argues that if a robot acts and looks like a human, it should be considered a human.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Physicist Michio Kaku explains that there is a "bubble bath" of parallel universes and suggests that anything that is mathematically possible exists in one of these universes.
30:35 - 35:52 (05:17)
Summary
Physicist Michio Kaku explains that there is a "bubble bath" of parallel universes and suggests that anything that is mathematically possible exists in one of these universes.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Time in outer space can slow down or speed up depending on how fast you are moving, contrary to the common belief that time beats at the same rate everywhere.
35:52 - 43:09 (07:17)
Summary
Time in outer space can slow down or speed up depending on how fast you are moving, contrary to the common belief that time beats at the same rate everywhere.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The Connectome Project aims to map every single cell in the human brain to create a mechanical model of the brain.
43:09 - 49:32 (06:23)
Summary
The Connectome Project aims to map every single cell in the human brain to create a mechanical model of the brain. The possibility of creating a neuron-for-neuron identical twin of the human brain has been discussed, but it is uncertain whether this would result in the creation of consciousness.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The human consciousness is the combination of feedback loops that create models of oneself in space, society, and time, constantly thinking about the future.
49:32 - 57:03 (07:30)
Summary
The human consciousness is the combination of feedback loops that create models of oneself in space, society, and time, constantly thinking about the future. The reptile's consciousness, on the other hand, is limited to spatial consciousness or awareness of location in space.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
String theory is a theory of universes that allows for a melding of the Big Bang theory and quantum mechanics into the multiverse theory, where every string theory solution is a universe.
57:03 - 1:00:51 (03:47)
Summary
String theory is a theory of universes that allows for a melding of the Big Bang theory and quantum mechanics into the multiverse theory, where every string theory solution is a universe.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Exploring the potential of a gravity wave detector in outer space to pick up baby pictures of the universe as it emerged from the womb, potentially uncovering evidence of an umbilical cord connecting it to a parent universe in the multiverse of universes, with the help of string theory.
1:00:51 - 1:07:52 (07:01)
Summary
Exploring the potential of a gravity wave detector in outer space to pick up baby pictures of the universe as it emerged from the womb, potentially uncovering evidence of an umbilical cord connecting it to a parent universe in the multiverse of universes, with the help of string theory.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The universe could achieve ultimate symmetry through supersymmetry, which is the only symmetry theory that rotates all the particles of a vibrating string into themselves.
1:07:52 - 1:16:39 (08:46)
Summary
The universe could achieve ultimate symmetry through supersymmetry, which is the only symmetry theory that rotates all the particles of a vibrating string into themselves. According to calculations, trillions of years from now, the universe will consist of dead black holes, dead neutron stars, and a temperature close to absolute zero.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Physicist Michio Kaku discusses the intersection of physics and science fiction, how the future is not a straight line, and his desire to explain advanced concepts to eight-year-olds.
1:16:39 - 1:24:55 (08:16)
Summary
Physicist Michio Kaku discusses the intersection of physics and science fiction, how the future is not a straight line, and his desire to explain advanced concepts to eight-year-olds.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast, the guest praises the host for simplifying science and making it more accessible to people.
1:24:55 - 1:32:30 (07:35)
Summary
In this podcast, the guest praises the host for simplifying science and making it more accessible to people. They discuss the possibility of transferring memories and emotions through a brain net, which has already been achieved with monkeys. They also explore potential trends for the future.
Episode#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
This podcast includes advertisements for Athletic Greens, offering a special deal to the audience, and for 99 Designs, a graphic design platform from Vista.
1:32:30 - 1:37:27 (04:57)
Summary
This podcast includes advertisements for Athletic Greens, offering a special deal to the audience, and for 99 Designs, a graphic design platform from Vista.