Michio Kaku, the co-creator of string theory, talked with Jason Hidalgo about the future of science and technology. Some interesting highlights include:

• Our progress in computer technology has been incredible. The computing power of the chip that plays music in greeting cards has more processing capability than all the Allied forces in World War II. Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and Hitler would’ve given anything to acquire the chip in that card – the same chip we now just throw away.
• By 2020 computer chips will cost about a penny – the same as scrap paper – and computing will have become as ubiquitous as electricity.
• Moore’s law – the observation that processing power roughly doubles every two years – has driven the growth of computing and Silicon Valley and is fast approaching its limits. Soon silicon computer chips will have shrunk to a few atoms, and they won’t be able to shrink further.
• This could lead to Silicon Valley turning into another Detroit.
• DNA, protein, and quantum computing might be the next big thing, but they’re not ready yet.
• The wave of the future is internet-enabled contact lenses. These could identify individuals at a party, translate real time conversations, or even share a user’s point of view with somebody else in real time.

Read more of the expansive interview that covers topics including when humanity can expect to get a Death Star into space, America’s failed attempt to build a Superconducting Super Collider, America’s education system, and more over here.

Source: Engadget