From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@www.aeiveos.com)
Date: Wed Aug 11 1999 - 12:17:40 MDT
> Michael S. Lorrey <mike@lorrey.com> wrote:
> > recommend for reading to catch up on recent developments in theoretical
> > physics, particularly string theory?
> >
> > _Hyperspace : A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps
> > and the Tenth Dimension_,
> > Michio Kaku; Paperback; $11.96 (Amazon)
>
> Kaku is kaka. He's a luddite posing as a scientist.
>
Well... I'm going to have to mildly disagree with Mike on this one.
I will withhold any and all judgements with regard to Hyperspace
(because I haven't read it) and string theory because its more
magic physics which is irrelevant until we get to the SI stage.
[It may be the most accurate thing in the world but it doesn't mean
doggy-doo-doo to whether or not you or I become relatively "immortal".]
However, Kaku's "Visions" book, I have read and generally speaking
it is very accurate. It is perhaps the "best of the bunch" with regard
to current forecasts of technology trends. He manages to survey
a wide variety of areas and doesn't get biotechnology completely
inaccurate (as some others do). He isn't as forward looking as
Moravec is however. Since I didn't notice any anti-technology
bias in Visions, I'll have to say he isn't a luddite, at least
not in the Jeremy Rifkin sense.
Mike, you'll have to elaborate on this a bit more to get my vote.
Robert
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