Theoretical physicist provided glimpse of the future

“How many of you have seen the movie ‘The Martian?’’’ asked futurist and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, scanning the room as scores of hands shot up. “That movie cost $100 million to make. The Indian government sent a probe to Mars for $75 million. A Hollywood movie about going to Mars now costs more than going to Mars.”

Kaku delivered a pair of talks on Tuesday, Oct. 16, as the featured guest for the 2018 Chancellor’s Speaker Series presentation, part of the annual UNC Charlotte Civic Series presented by Bank of America.

In a discussion on UNC Charlotte’s main campus in the afternoon before more than 200 and an evening gathering at UNC Charlotte Center City, the popular science communicator spoke in sweeping soliloquys, providing a peek at the future of technology, robots, space travel, human mortality and the always-tantalizing topic of aliens.

“What would we have to offer them? The Kardashians?” Kaku drew laughs as he responded to a question about why humans have yet to encounter an advanced extraterrestrial civilization – indicating we would probably be incapable of communicating with a species capable of intergalactic travel.

Kaku also discussed more earthbound matters, such as how science will revolutionize the economy, jobs and medicine during the next 20 years. Predicting such trends is an area in which Kaku is internationally recognized. His latest book, “The Future of Humanity,” focuses on how humans might gradually develop a sustainable civilization in space.

Speaking directly to the students in attendance, Kaku advised, “The jobs of the future are those that can’t be done by artificial intelligence or robots.”

While robots are much better than people at quick calculations or repetitive tasks, the futurist maintained that people who engage in “intellectual capitalism” will thrive in the coming years. Creativity, imagination, leadership, analysis and the ability to connect with other humans will continue to be highly valued.

“A robot may be able to find the right legal precedent, but you still need a lawyer to argue a case to a jury,” Kaku said.

While both the book and talks offer an optimistic vision of the future, Kaku did acknowledge the follies of reckless advancement and offered a word of caution on technology of the future. “With all this power, we will need to have the wisdom to know how to use it.”

Kaku appeared on WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks” on Oct. 17; listen to the show.

Michio Kaku is the Henry Semat Chair in Theoretical Physics at the City College of New York. As a researcher, Kaku has published more than 70 physics journal articles, and he is a regular guest on national and international television shows and hosts a national weekly science radio show. His Facebook page has more than three million fans. A graduate of Harvard University, Kaku completed a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California at Berkeley. He has taught at the City College of New York for more than 40 years.

The UNC Charlotte Civic Series presented by Bank of America brings nationally recognized speakers to the UNC Charlotte and greater Charlotte communities for thought-provoking conversations.