patricksugi:  How will advances in quantum physics affect the culture of the future?

Dr. Kaku: There are many ways in which quantum physics will change everything. First, the invisibility cloak of Harry Potter may become a possibility with a new quantum substance called metamaterials. They disobey the known laws of physics as presented in most college physics textbooks. Already scientists at Duke University have created a microwave invisibility shield that works, raising the hope that in the coming decades we may be able to make objects invisible under obstacle frequencies, not just microwave frequencies. Also, quantum physics may give us teleportation like in Star Trek. This was once considered scientifically impossible, but now at many laboratories around the world we have successfully teleported individual photons and cesium atoms. This is still a far cry from teleporting Captain Kirk! But we still have proof of principle that we can at least teleport atoms. Also, quantum physics may give us super magnets which means cars and trains that float in the air. The key is room temperature superconductors. At the present time, the world record for creating a superconductor is for temperatures that are quite low, the temperature of liquid nitrogen. However, liquid nitrogen costs as much as a quart of milk. Therefore, with the current superconductors, we can cool down and create super magnets that are much cheaper than in the past.

234567890:  What will be the average life length for a man in 2057?

Dr. Kaku: Nobody knows how long we will live in 2057. However, many of the genes which influence aging have gradually been discovered. At the present time, we can double the lifespan of most living organisms, from yeast cells to insects and spiders to laboratory mice, and now we are experimenting with monkeys. By feeding them a near starvation diet, we can extend their lifespan. However, most humans do not want to eat a starvation diet. Therefore, scientists at Harvard University are studying a gene called SIR2. This gene seems to give you the benefit of a near starvation diet without having to starve yourself. Also, by comparing the genes of elderly people with the genes of very young people, we can see where aging takes place in our genes. From this, we've isolated about 60 genes that seem to control human aging. Also, in Menlo Park CA, scientists have immortalized the first human skin cells. Skin cells usually divide 60 times and then grow old and die. We can now extend their lifespan so they become immortal. These human skin cells have now divided thousands of times without dying. So we still don't have the Fountain of Youth. However, in the future, as our organs grow old, we will grow new ones in a human body shop and we will repair the genes that are most sensitive to aging. I personally believe that we will extend the human lifespan. But when, we cannot say.