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The Tim Ferriss Show
#562: Dr. Michio Kaku — Exploring Time Travel, the Beauty of Physics, Parallel Universes, the Mind of God, String Theory, Lessons from Einstein, and More
Jan 7, 2022
01:37:42
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Quick takeaways
- String theory can potentially provide answers to fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and the possibility of time travel.
- The concept of a multiverse, where multiple universes exist, can be explored using string theory.
- Based on the laws of thermodynamics, the universe will eventually cool down, but the existence of wormholes offers a potential solution for advanced civilizations to cheat the death of our current universe.
Deep dives
The Quest for a Theory of Everything
In this episode, the speaker discusses the importance of paying attention to details in various aspects of work, such as graphic design and branding. Using examples from personal experience, they highlight the impact that visual elements have in conveying a brand's identity and message to customers.
99designs Graphic Design Platform
The episode features an endorsement of a graphic design platform, 99designs, which has been used by the speaker for their creative projects. They emphasize the platform's ability to connect with talented designers and facilitate the creation of cohesive and professional designs, citing their personal experience in working with a designer for podcast illustrations.
Athletic Greens Nutritional Supplement
The speaker introduces the benefits of Athletic Greens, a nutritional supplement, and shares their long-standing recommendation of it as a comprehensive source of vital nutrients. They highlight the product's wide range of ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, which contribute to improved gut health, immunity, and energy levels.
Interview with Dr. Michio Kaku
The episode transitions to an interview with Dr. Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, who shares insights from his childhood experiences and his fascination with science and physics. Dr. Kaku discusses his early interest in understanding the concept of a 'theory of everything,' which would provide a comprehensive understanding of the universe and enable predictions of natural laws. He also reflects on his views on consciousness, time travel, parallel universes, and the existence of God, drawing upon the theories of Einstein and other physicists.
The Theory of Everything and the Multiverse
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the quest for a theory of everything and the existence of a multiverse. The speaker explains that string theory, a theory of everything, can potentially provide answers to fundamental questions about the universe, such as the nature of black holes and the possibility of time travel. The concept of a multiverse, where multiple universes exist, is also explored, with the speaker highlighting that wormholes and the stability of these wormholes can be calculated using string theory.
The Ultimate Death of the Universe and Potential Solutions
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the eventual death of the universe according to the laws of thermodynamics. The speaker explains that based on the second law of thermodynamics, the universe will eventually cool down, resulting in dead black holes and a temperature of absolute zero. However, the existence of wormholes and the possibility of an open system offer a potential solution. The speaker suggests that advanced civilizations in the future might be able to create wormholes, escape the dying universe, and start anew in a younger, warmer universe, ultimately providing a way to cheat the death of our current universe.
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!
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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.
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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]
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For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.
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Past 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.
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