The Future of the Mind is a new book review in my book review series. Michio Kaku, the author from Physics of the Future, just released The Future of the Mind where he exposes breaking scientific finds that revolve around the human mind.
The Future of the Mind Overview
The Future of the Mind is a futuristic look at what scientific breakthroughs are on the horizon and how those will shape our minds. The research for this book was based on current proven scientific research not theoretical research. The book covers short, medium, and long term predictions for the mind and the science behind those predictions. While reading this book Kaku touches on ethical dilemmas such as whether society would be okay with healing mental illness in patients. Are we playing God if we heal children who are autistic? The last part of the books diverges into the future of mankind through immorality and space travel. Kaku’s premise is that if have the ability to become immortal then we could accomplish more technological feats once thought impossible. In the end mankind’s destiny is in our own hands.
What does the future hold?
- Brain Chips – What if instead of a Google Glass you could have a chip implanted in your brain? In the near future we will have the ability to access the internet, communicate with our friends, and upload new skills by just using our minds. The research being done on mapping the mind is allowing scientist to experiment uploading memories in the brains of mice. One day soon we will have the ability to do this to humans. One example Kaku uses is to use this technology for displaced workers to rapidly acquire new skills.
- Fix Brain Illness & Injuries – The effects of brain injuries and illnesses are devastating for families. Scientist are working on inserting microelectronics sensors inside the brain to help some of these effects. A cochlear implant is an example implanting devices in the brain to fix illness or injury. While a cochlear implant are being used in the present it is a proof of principle for inserting electronics in the brain. We are starting to enter the era of medical science where fixing brain injuries and illness will become common practice.
- Upload Ourselves Robots – If humans gain the ability use robotic limbs or upload skills through brain chips; are we still human? How long until human bodies are more mechanical than biological? Kaku predicts in distant future humans will be able to upload our consciousness into computers. Once we are able to upload ourselves into computers this will give humans the chance at living forever.
Opinion
The Future of the Mind was the second book by Michio Kaku I have read. Both books (The Future of the Mind and Physics of the Future) were very similar and overlapped in many areas. I really enjoyed this book but was not shocked by Kaku’s predictions for the future. Most of his prediction are already out there in known but the interesting part is the how close we are to realizing these future technologies. I would rate this book a 3 out of 5.