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tonicwater's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
2.25
the further we got, the more outrageously hypothetical we got. A good chunk in the middle was basically Harari’s Homo Deus, which was boring to read after reading that so recently. I was hoping for more physics behind the insane theories, but it started to read as a listing of the insane things we might “start attempting” in this century (we will not: ie, sending our consciousness on lasers at light speed across galaxies for recreation? really bro?), with minimal effort to try to convince me we have the means to attempt it. A fun read, but I’m done with popsci for the nearest future :( the physics is basic, so don’t expect to learn anything new on that front. Honestly, a qft textbook to me is much more entertaining, because I’m learning shit that’s actually science, not science FICTION.
It’s well written and parts are genuinely entertaining, so because it was light enough that I wasn’t paining myself to get through I did, but anyone interested in these subjects should look to more serious mediums, and not speculations, especially since there’s really nothing revolutionary in here.
It’s well written and parts are genuinely entertaining, so because it was light enough that I wasn’t paining myself to get through I did, but anyone interested in these subjects should look to more serious mediums, and not speculations, especially since there’s really nothing revolutionary in here.
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
5.0
If you’re a science junkie, whether it’s astronomy, space travel, robotics, quantum physics, technology, and so on, this book is an absolute treat. I was fascinated by so much of what Kaku discussed. The big picture of what he and other scientists envision for the future of humanity is thought-provoking, and each facet of what it would take to keep our species living on past extinction events and venturing out into new realms had me riveted. Kaku’s writing is accessible and understandable for the lay reader and opens up new worlds of thought. As I read, my mind was just exploding with the information and excitement, and I ended up reading so many passages aloud to my husband that he probably is happy I’m finished with the book.
So cool.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/future-humanity-nonfiction-clean-book-review/
So cool.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/future-humanity-nonfiction-clean-book-review/
silverseaslug's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
2.0
This book is garbage! Billionaires will save us all. How's that one that working out for everyone? Maybe if they paid their taxes and their serfs *cough* *cough* employees, we could send ourselves to the stars...
If the future of humanity really rests in the hands of the twats who are lauded in the pages of what I suppose can technically be described as a book, then we are all royally humped!
If the future of humanity really rests in the hands of the twats who are lauded in the pages of what I suppose can technically be described as a book, then we are all royally humped!
johnbreeden's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think I was ready to go back into a science-based book, but this one was quite entertaining. The ideas and predictions caused me to think about my goals as well in the grand scheme of what I can contribute. Of course, that's just me. All-in-all, a good read.
perilous1's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
Told in Kaku's ever amiable, conversational, and mildly optimistic voice, this book is yet another installment in the author's efforts to make physics more accessible to laymen. This being a broad overview of the near (and exceedingly distant) future speculations on how we will branch out from our little blue marble of a planet.
The first 30-40 pages were dedicated to a bit of science history rather than futuristic speculation... but I'd expect nothing less for the sake of context. (Past progression can be a fair-enough indicator of future patterns.)
Kaku has a persuasive way of explaining things concerning the exploration of our immediate solar system, reasoning it out to be not just possible, but inevitable--and even potentially lucrative (and really, therein lies the most realistic motivation.) There are also monetary mentionings of how logical corners can be cut and costs reduced via innovations over time. Some of which we can already see with entrepenurial efforts such as Space X and Blue Origin offering alternatives and cooperative hands to NASA.
The part on Terraforming Mars was easily my favorite. (Although, I would have liked to see more on possible terraforming methods in general.) By all accounts, Mars would need some extensive environmental renovations. And...you know...a passable magnetic field. >.> Kaku is an anchor of reality when it comes to supposing how many long decades, if not centuries, it would take us to work out erecting and stabilizing a habitable atmosphere on a world that long-dead.
I was rather disappointed that Kaku at one point tried to use the biblical Garden of Eden account as an analogy without actually knowing it... (Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong on this--I badly want to be, and I listened to this in audiobook, so I wasn't able to go back and verify... But I was left with the impression that the author apparently thinks Adam and Eve were thrown out of the garden for seeking immortality... unaware that they actually started out with it, and lost it.)
I don't know that his attempts at mythos tie-ins were particularly relevant or useful. But aside from that, the information he offers--while a glancing and broad overview--is certainly fuel for the curious and the imaginative.
Told in Kaku's ever amiable, conversational, and mildly optimistic voice, this book is yet another installment in the author's efforts to make physics more accessible to laymen. This being a broad overview of the near (and exceedingly distant) future speculations on how we will branch out from our little blue marble of a planet.
The first 30-40 pages were dedicated to a bit of science history rather than futuristic speculation... but I'd expect nothing less for the sake of context. (Past progression can be a fair-enough indicator of future patterns.)
Kaku has a persuasive way of explaining things concerning the exploration of our immediate solar system, reasoning it out to be not just possible, but inevitable--and even potentially lucrative (and really, therein lies the most realistic motivation.) There are also monetary mentionings of how logical corners can be cut and costs reduced via innovations over time. Some of which we can already see with entrepenurial efforts such as Space X and Blue Origin offering alternatives and cooperative hands to NASA.
The part on Terraforming Mars was easily my favorite. (Although, I would have liked to see more on possible terraforming methods in general.) By all accounts, Mars would need some extensive environmental renovations. And...you know...a passable magnetic field. >.> Kaku is an anchor of reality when it comes to supposing how many long decades, if not centuries, it would take us to work out erecting and stabilizing a habitable atmosphere on a world that long-dead.
I was rather disappointed that Kaku at one point tried to use the biblical Garden of Eden account as an analogy without actually knowing it... (Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong on this--I badly want to be, and I listened to this in audiobook, so I wasn't able to go back and verify... But I was left with the impression that the author apparently thinks Adam and Eve were thrown out of the garden for seeking immortality... unaware that they actually started out with it, and lost it.)
I don't know that his attempts at mythos tie-ins were particularly relevant or useful. But aside from that, the information he offers--while a glancing and broad overview--is certainly fuel for the curious and the imaginative.
danielbeer's review against another edition
4.0
Very fascinating read and quite easy to get hooked in with Dr. Michio Kaku's style of writing. As always, Dr. Kaku does a fantastic job of tickling the part of the brain that gets one excited for the future possibilities of science and technology. The only thing keeping me from giving a higher score is that Dr. Kaku has once again fallen into his usual rhythm of overly-fantasized conjecture, particularly when he talks about his own area of expertise: theoretical physics. I won't doubt the possibilities, but a physicist of his level should perhaps consider emphasizing just how unlikely some of these things are. Postulating that we could see the use of his laser-porting concept "within the next century or so" is particularly far-fetched. Despite all that, this is still a book I would highly recommend for fans of astronomy, space exploration, and the future of technology. It certainly makes one think about what may be possible in the future.
xenlinde's review against another edition
4.0
Well, it got me to watch The Martian. Overall, this was a very interesting book. 90% of it seemed to stay at a level that would allow someone without a science degree to
understand what was being discussed.
understand what was being discussed.
reading_1's review against another edition
2.75
A book that devolves fast into absurd popscience "thought experiments". A good introduction to this field for a layperson, as seen in previous reviews but these kind of books that put more effort in sensationalism than science do more bad than good in the long run.
kabelon97's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
2.75
Good book. Very accessible for people interested in science but have not yet studied it in University as he always explains the scientific jargon in the book.