Dr. Michio Kaku Visits SIU
I first want to thank the SIU Foundation and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for bringing Dr. Kaku to our University. I was first introduced to Dr. Kaku while watching the TV show LOST. Those of you that are fans of the show know that it started to take us on a weird voyage into science. In order to better understand the science behind the show, I came across Dr. Kaku’s book, Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimension, and the Future of the Cosmos. It helped me grasp about 75% of the show, but gave me more questions than answers (iSmile).
When I found the flier at the SIU communications building that he was coming, I had to do EVERYTHING in my power to try and meet him (yes, and get a selfie hopefully). Like many of you, I wasn’t a fan of science. It wasn’t until I got older that I had a deep appreciation for it when applied to movies and television. Today, directors and producers spend an exorbitant amount of time on trying to make the science as accurate and plausible as they can.
During the press conference, Dr. Kaku talked about how social media is currently being used to share experiences and the next evolution of the Internet is the “brain net.” He pointed out how teens currently utilize emojis to show a happy face or a smile to express emotion. Imagine if actual emotions could be shared on Facebook. Michio predicts that if and when this happens, Facebook will “blow up.” Think about how tweets and facebook statuses of your friends, non-friends, exes, or even co-workers would change if true emotion could be attached to it.
SIU President, Randy Dunn introduced Dr. Kaku to a packed student center ballroom. This was my first Distinguished Speaker experience, but from what the people around me stated, this was the most attended one. The room was filled with Alumni, professors, students, fans, and community supporters. Dr. Kaku used humor, science, and imagination to captivate the room and challenge their own concepts of innovation and reality.
Dr. Michio Kaku is presenting 7:30 pm, Wednesday, April 22nd in the Student Center Ballroom. His topic of discussion will be from his book, The Future of the Mind.
Tom Harness | @iTomHarness | @harnessDM |
Nicely written piece Tom. Glad you got to meet with Dr. Kaku and get a pic.
Thanks Kevin, it is hard to get a piece out like this the same day. I don’t know how you TV people do it.