Why Einstein Gets the Last Laugh

The physicist scoffed at the idea of quantum entanglement, calling it "spooky action at a distance. And while it has in fact been proven to exist, this entanglement can’t be used to transmit any usable information.

by

October 27, 2010

Every Wednesday Michio Kaku will be answering reader questions about physics and futuristic science. If you have a question for Dr. Kaku, just post it in the comments section below and check back on Wednesdays to see if he answers it.

Today, Dr. Kaku addresses a question posed by Matthew Del Favero: Could quantum entanglement be used to transmit information instantaneously between interplanetary spaceships?

Michio Kaku

Professor of Theoretical Physics

An asian man in a suit.

Special Issue

Leadership masterclass: Nike, Jordan, and James Baldwin

George Raveling — the iconic leader who brought Michael Jordan to Nike — shares with Big Think a lifetime of priceless wisdom learned at the crossroads of sports and business.

14 articles

Man in glasses and a brown jacket with a serious expression; the background features a blue overlay adorned with white sports strategy symbols and a cheering crowd. It's reminiscent of a Coach Raveling masterclass, where every move is meticulously planned.

Related Content

Einstein’s demon-haunted quantum world

Einstein hated "spooky action at a distance," but much to his chagrin, quantum mechanics remains as spooky as ever.

by Marcelo Gleiser

spooky action at a distance

Dark Energy: The Energy of Nothing

What do you get when you add the total matter of the universe to the total energy of the universe? Zero. "So it takes no energy to create a universe," Dr. Kaku points out. "A universe is a free lunch."

by Michio Kaku

Math is the Mind of God

Dr. Kaku says we might imagine God as we know him to be a mathematician: "The mind of God we believe is cosmic music, the music of strings resonating through 11 dimensional hyperspace. That is the mind of God."

by Michio Kaku

What’s the Fate of the Universe? It’s in the Dark Matter

Every week, Dr. Michio Kaku will be answering reader questions about physics and futuristic science. If you have a question for Dr. Kaku, just post it in the comments section […]

by Michio Kaku

Learn from the world's biggest thinkers.

© Copyright 2007-2026 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved.