Explorations with Dr. Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, science program. GUESTS: CHARLES WYNN, Professor of Chemistry at Eastern Connecticut State and ARTHUR WIGGINS, Professor of Physics at Oakland Community College in Michigan, to discuss their book "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction" and the topic of how to distinguish between hard science and pseudo science. Specific topics and biographical figures addressed in the interview are: The definition and differences between science and pseudo science - The notion of extraordinary claims needing the support of extraordinary proof- Objectivity versus predisposition to beliefs - UFO's and UAA (Unexplained Aerial Appearances)- Reincarnation- Out of body and near death experiences - Psychokinesis and telepathy - ESP, mind reading, channeling, and talking to the dead - John Edwards, Joseph Dunninger and the Amazing Kreskin - Astrology versus physical forces, vague descriptions and chance. Other topics covered: The Bush administration plans to accelerate the development and test cycle of the National Missile Defense (NMD) program, possibly breaking the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty in a matter of months. Amidst this directive is the Pentagon's Deployment Readiness Review report that concluded the initiative is so primitive, "rigorous assessment of potential system performance cannot be made."A report released by the World Wildlife Fund states jobs and economic activity need not be sacrificed to reign in Greenhouse Gases. Studies by the Tellus Institute and the Stockholm Environmental Institute indicate that a combination of conservation and renewable resources coupled with higher efficiencies in appliances, buildings, and cars, could save $130 billion annually by the year 2020. Astronomers at the Harvard Smithsonian Observatory have claimed to see evidence of a dying solar system. The star CW Leonis, weighing in at 1.5 to 4 times the mass of our Sun and located about 500 Light Years away, is transitioning into a Red Giant. As it transitions it expands in size and consumes comets and planets. The event may serve as a model to predict how the Earth will die perhaps 5 billion years into the future. The latest hominid skeleton was excavated in Ethiopia and has been determined to be 5.2 million years old breaking the previous record of 4.4 million years. The remains are of the oldest ancestor of humanity discovered thus far and combined with DNA evidence supports theories that claim humans and chimpanzees evolved separately around 6 million years go. A caller asks if disciplines of bio-technology will take hit if research on stem cells is halted, and if so will the work around those limitations? Michio responds by outlining the controversy over and the potential of stem cells, and indicates that the decision to be made by President George W. Bush is about federal funding of such research. He stresses that if federal funding is vetoed research would still continue privately, but it would mean that therapies would be more expensive, would have less oversight, and would ultimately be more chaotic without proper federal guidelines.
Explorations With Dr. Michio Kaku - July 17, 2001
Program Title:
Explorations With Dr. Michio Kaku - July 17, 2001
Series Title:
PRA Archive #:
PZ0389.042
Description:
Station:
Date Recorded on:
July 17, 2001
Date Broadcast on:
July 17, 2001
Item duration:
60 min.
Keywords:
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Distributor:
Los Angeles, Pacifica Radio Archive, 2001
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