>> Kim Ricketts: My name is Kim Ricketts, and I'm here to introduce and welcome James Kakalios, who is visiting us as part of the Microsoft Research visitor research series. James is here today to discuss his new book, The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics. Science has met more demands of science fiction than most people realize, thanks to quantum mechanics. Though we don't see the world of the Jetsons with flying cars, people getting to work by jet pack or Star Trek's teleporters, yet, we do have smart phones, pocket-size computers and hybrid vehicles. Because of quantum mechanics, we may also see many more science fiction technologies become a reality. James is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota. He served as a consultant for the film Watchmen and won a regional Emmy Award for his role in the Science of Watchmen. He is the author of the critically acclaimed The Physics of Superheroes. So please join me in welcoming James Kakalios to Microsoft. [applause]. >> James Kakalios: Thank you very much. Thank you for the introduction. Thank you all very much for inviting me and welcoming me. I must say the working title of my new book originally was the World Of Tomorrow and so it's kind of a pleasure to come here, see the guys responsible for that. Actually Microsoft seems to be following me. Two weeks ago I was in New York for some media events and walking around Times Square at night seeing these huge throngs of people lined up. And what impose are concert are they going to? No, they're waiting for the Connect to go on sale at midnight. So I assume that you just like give one out to the speakers, but [laughter]. So I want to talk about the The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics, my new book. First let me give you a little bit of background. How did a mild-mannered physics professor get associated with comic book superheroes, Spider-Man, Superman in my day job I'm a condensed matter experimentalist though I do basica
