The Future of the Mind
The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind
-
-
4.0 • 191 Ratings
-
-
- $12.99
-
- $12.99
Publisher Description
Michio Kaku, the New York Times bestselling author of Physics of the Impossible and Physics of the Future tackles the most fascinating and complex object in the known universe: the human brain.
The Future of the Mind brings a topic that once belonged solely to the province of science fiction into a startling new reality. This scientific tour de force unveils the astonishing research being done in top laboratories around the world—all based on the latest advancements in neuroscience and physics—including recent experiments in telepathy, mind control, avatars, telekinesis, and recording memories and dreams. The Future of the Mind is an extraordinary, mind-boggling exploration of the frontiers of neuroscience. Dr. Kaku looks toward the day when we may achieve the ability to upload the human brain to a computer, neuron for neuron; project thoughts and emotions around the world on a brain-net; take a “smart pill” to enhance cognition; send our consciousness across the universe; and push the very limits of immortality.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this expansive, illuminating journey through the mind, theoretical physicist Kaku (Physics of the Future) explores fantastical realms of science fiction that may soon become our reality. His futurist framework merges physics with neuroscience to model how our brains construct the future, and is loosely applied to demonstrations that "show proof-of-principle" in accomplishing what was previously fictional: that minds can be read, memories can be digitally stored, and intelligences can be improved to great extents. The discussion, while heavily scientific, is engaging, clear, and replete with cinematic references. Kaku's claims, however, often lack generalizability: his points about human thought are derived from research studies and patterns that emerge from discrete areas of analysis under highly sophisticated technological surveillance. The place of these esoteric conclusions in the nuanced processes of our daily life is rarely explained. Likewise, each issue raised, while fascinating, is equally fleeting: topics skip from telepathy helmets to cell phone MRIs in just over a page. Legal and ethical complications, too, arise with each predicted advance, though aren't given the attention they demand. These new mental frontiers make for captivating reading, yet Kaku's optimism and enthusiasm provides cover for what are mostly overhyped claims.
Customer Reviews
A must-read if you want to learn about THE MIND
THE MIND, according to Michio, is one of the most complex things in the universe. Yet, we barely know about it. In his book, he passionately explains the mind, the future of the mind, telepathy, future, etc. It’s a really god book.
You will learn and think a lot from this book
I don't read a lot, but this book got me in the first page from sampling it. I had to buy it, so don't miss this book. It's a must read
Unimpressed and erroneous
As a neuroscientist, I found this book irritatingly oversimplified and misleading. I do not recommend this. The examples he gives are contrite and overused, and so surface level that some of the ideas he conveys are simply wrong. The part about stem cells, for example, was hard for me to even read. There are hundreds of other books on the brain that provide much more factual analysis and insight without being so hokey and misleading for the average reader. Clearly this man is NOT a biologist and should just stick with physics instead of trying to cherry pick brain facts to suit his own science fiction fantasies. Yes, I believe in many of the predictions he asserts about future brain tech, but his justifications for these are inaccurate and painful for any real biologist to read.