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November 30, 2007: Universe, Energy, and SETI - Dr. Michio Kaku
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
Art Bell welcomes theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of energy, the fate of the universe, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Dr. Kaku explains how dark energy is accelerating the expansion of the universe and why humanity may one day need to escape to a parallel universe. He breaks down the challenges of achieving controlled nuclear fusion, describing the magnetic bottle approach and predicting commercialization by 2040.
The discussion shifts to the global energy crisis, with Dr. Kaku arguing that we have reached Hubbert"s peak for planetary oil reserves. He outlines a timeline where the rising cost of oil and the falling cost of solar hydrogen will cross within 15 to 20 years, forcing a transition away from fossil fuels. He warns that mass migrations caused by climate change could eventually threaten national borders.
Art and Dr. Kaku then turn to SETI, energized by Paul Allen"s 25 million dollar investment in the Allen Telescope Array. This 350-dish system will increase search capability a thousandfold. Dr. Kaku describes the upcoming Kepler satellite mission to identify hundreds of Earth-like planets and puts the probability of intelligent life in the universe at nearly 100 percent.
The discussion shifts to the global energy crisis, with Dr. Kaku arguing that we have reached Hubbert"s peak for planetary oil reserves. He outlines a timeline where the rising cost of oil and the falling cost of solar hydrogen will cross within 15 to 20 years, forcing a transition away from fossil fuels. He warns that mass migrations caused by climate change could eventually threaten national borders.
Art and Dr. Kaku then turn to SETI, energized by Paul Allen"s 25 million dollar investment in the Allen Telescope Array. This 350-dish system will increase search capability a thousandfold. Dr. Kaku describes the upcoming Kepler satellite mission to identify hundreds of Earth-like planets and puts the probability of intelligent life in the universe at nearly 100 percent.