Beyond Star Trek: From Alien Invasions to the End of Time

By Lawrence M. Krauss

Book Overview

In the bestselling The Physics of Star Trek, the renowned theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss took readers on an entertaining and eye-opening tour of the Star Trek universe to see how it stacked up against the real universe. Now, responding to requests for more as well as to a number of recent exciting discoveries in physics and astronomy, Krauss takes a provocative look at how the laws of physics relate to notions from our popular culture -- not only Star Trek, but other films, shows, and popular lore -- from Independence Day to Star Wars to The X-Files.

What's the difference between a flying saucer and a flying pretzel?

Why didn't the aliens in Independence Day have to bother invading Earth to destroy it?What's new with warp drives?

What's the most likely scenario for doomsday?

Are ESP and telekinesis impossible?

What do clairvoyance and time travel have in common?

How might quantum mechanics ultimately affect the fate of life in the universe?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060977574
• ISBN13: 9780060977573
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

His convincing arguments against ESP, time travel and aliens visitations are based on reality

As a lifelong science fiction fan and one well-schooled in science, I enjoy the stories while acknowledging the holes in the scientific aspects. In this book, Krauss does an excellent job of explaining the scientific realities in the context of some of the wonders we see on the screen. Star Trek, in all of its many manifestations, is the primary focus. He also discusses the "X-files" television show and the movie "Independence Day." One of the interesting points concerns the alien ships in "Independence Day." The mother ship was so massive that its mere presence would have had a significant affect on the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around the sun. This would have caused a dramatic climate change, which all by itself could have defeated the human race. Krauss also explores the potential for ESP and telekinesis based on our current understanding of physics. While he acknowledges that we almost certainly do not know of all the forces operating in the universe, he uses the conservation of energy to predict how powerful the motive force for ESP would have to be. He puts forward convincing arguments that the energy expended in carrying out such actions is large enough that it could not escape detection. This is a strong argument against ESP, because that means the only argument in favor is to claim the existence of a force that cannot be detected by our current instrumentation. That is a very difficult argument to make, but it is an even more difficult one to refute. This is one of those books that I started one afternoon and finished the next day, reading nothing else in between. As Carl Sagan used to say, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." If we assume that the laws of physics are universal and we understand them to a high level of accuracy, then his arguments are overwhelmingly convincing.

Beyond star trek by Lawrence M. Krauss

Very entertaing book. Anyone with a love for science and Star trk will enjoy this book. Highly recommended

A really good book!

This was an excellent book. It gives a good explanation on some of the more exciting areas of physics, without needing to take a course in physics or needing to understand all the math it would (normally) involve. I highly recommend it!

Very in-depth, yet very easy. Quantum Physics Krauss stlye!

I think that Krauss has bridged the gap between us humans, and physics. The book started out well, got better, and had me on a high in the end. I think alot more people now understand quantum mechanics, and quantum teleportation. He intertwined his sense of humour with real physics, and talked about possibilities and impossibilities. I thought that the Physics of Star Trek was not too clear, but this book really struck the right chord! Its entertaining, funny, in-depth, but most of all, ture. Yes, the Krauss equation certainly has a nice ring to it! I am currently trying to figure out how to use entanglement for faster than light communication, as this book provided me with the appropriate knowledge and inspiration. My high school teacher laughs whenever I talk to him about FTL travel. I think that in his next book, Krauss should include a couple of colored pictures.Krauss rocks! :D

Thoroughly engrossing and enlightening.

Beyond Star Trek provides criticisms and real scientific reviews of current sci-fi movies and TV shows. Krauss explains what is possible and what is not in popular science fiction stories of late. He also delves into the possiblities (or IMpossiblities) ESP, time travel, and other theories. Very entertaining.