Brainmakers: How Scientists Moving Beyond Computers Create Rival to Humn Brain

Book Description

Join David Freedman as he takes you on a fascinating tour behind the scenes at laboratories around the world as top researchers race to create revolutionary "thinking machines" that may one day lead to a new form of intelligence.

The subject of fantasy and skepticism for centuries-- from William James's mechanical bride to 2001's Hal to Star Wars' R2D2-- artificial intelligence has been limited to number-crunching computers that are"smart" only in highly specific domains like chess-- until now. "Brainmakers" is an eye-opening, mind-expanding, and mind-blowing journey through laboratories engaged in cutting-edge research into neuro-science and robotics. Inside, you'll discover:

MIT's Attila, a 3.6-pound, six-legged robot that learns as it interacts with its surroundings.

Japan's efforts to grow brain cells on chips and construct a "wiring diagram" of the human brain

UCLA's "robot farm", where robots will be "bred" for intelligence.

In exciting yet accessible detail, Freedman shows how this research has moved into a new realm that transcends computer science, combining neuroscience, mircobiology, evolutionary biology, and zoology. Modeled after natural rather than artificial intelligence, thinking machines may soon develop powers that rival-- or exceed-- those of the human brain.

Customer Reviews:

A Review of Brainmakers.......2002-09-05

Freedman's book is a useful introduction to artificial
intelligence suitable for the lay reader. More technical
introductions exist in the form of the many good textbooks
on AI.
Brainmaker is a fun read but I do have a few criticisms.
Freedman distinguishes "old time" "good old fashioned AI"
g.o.f.a.i. from what he dubs "nature AI." I believe that he
has simply cobbled together some ideas and that his "nature
AI" does not exist as a coherent project.
Freedman seems to think that gofai was not modeled after
nature. I do not agree. Newell studied how people reasoned,
Boole was building a logic of how people think, and Rosenblatt
had real neural nets in mind. It is also inaccurate to call
gofai a failure. Sure there are lots of things that people
can do that computers can't. But there is also a long and
growing list of what computers can do and people can not. AIs
are good a modus tollens, humans are not. AIs are good at
long chains of reasoning and with negated terms, humans are not.
Computers can handle spaces having many dimensions, humans find
it hard to handle 3. Computers are good at probability and
math, people are not. And the list goes on and on.
Freedman's "nature AI" does not exist as a real AI subfield.
He has simply grouped together a number of new ideas, some good,
some bad. He also spends too much time on biology. If
there is any evidence that intelligence requires "wetwear" such
evidence is not presented in the book.

An excellent and fascinating read for any sci-fi fan..........1999-07-22

If you've ever read 'I, Robot' by Issac Asimov (or anything like it), this book should be required reading for you. It provides a fascinating and candid view into the history, research, debates and a detailed summary of the current progress in the controversial field of A.I. (artificial intelligence). I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and have shared it's title with many who have also enjoyed it. As an author and sci-fi fanatic, I found it's forthright, non-technical manner both refreshing and easy to read (finished it in one night), and the information provided to be excellent food for thought. Not too technical, this book can easily be understood by just about anyone, and SHOULD be read by anyone who has ever enjoyed reading anything involving robots or computers of any kind (even the average Star Wars fan will like this one). 'Brainmakers' is a must-read which has earned a permanent place in my personal library (which I might add is fairly extensive and somewhat exclusive). If you can find a copy, it's worth whatever price you have to pay for it.

Book Description

Einstein's theories of relativity piqued public curiosity more than any other mathematical concepts since the time of Isaac Newton. Scientists and non-scientists alike struggled, not so much to grasp as to believe the weird predictions of relativity theory--shrinking space ships, bending light beams, and the like. People all over the world watched with fascination as Einstein's predictions were relentlessly and unequivocally verified by a hundred experiments and astronomical observations.

In the last decade of the twentieth-century, another of Einstein's theories has produced results that are every bit as startling as the space-time contractions of relativity theory. This book addresses his other great theory, that of heat capacity and the Bose-Einstein condensate. In doing so, it traces the history of radiation and heat capacity theory from the mid-19th century to the present. It describes early attempts to understand heat and light radiation and proceeds through the theory of the heat capacity of solids. It arrives at the theory of superconductivity and superfluidity--the astonishing property of some liquids to crawl spontaneously up and out of their containers, and the ability of some gases to cause light to pause and take a moment's rest from its inexorable flight forward in time. Couched in the terminology of traditional physical chemistry, this book is accessible to chemists, engineers, materials scientists, mathematicians, mathematical biologists, indeed to anyone with a command of first-year calculus. In course work, it is a collateral text to third semester or advanced physical chemistry, introductory statistical mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, or introductory quantum chemistry. The book connects with mainstream physical chemistry by treating boson and fermion influences in molecular spectroscopy, statistical thermodynamics, molecular energetics, entropy, heat capacities (especially of metals), superconductivity, and superfluidity.

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Planck's Seminal Work - AIP Historical Series
Essential to understand radiative heat transfer

The Theory of Heat Radiation
Max Planck
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486668118

Book Description

Nobel laureate’s classic exposition of the theory of radiant heat in terms of the principle of quantum action. Topics include Kirchoff’s law, black radiation, Maxwell’s radiation pressure, entropy and much more. Few modern introductions to the theory of heat radiation can match this book for precision, care and attention to details of proof. 1914 edition. Bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

Planck's Seminal Work - AIP Historical Series .......2004-08-22

In 1900 Max Planck introduced a quantum constant into his mathematical expression for the energy distribution of blackbody radiation. This act is now considered to mark the beginning of the twentieth century revolution in physics. Planck's contemporaries had difficulty understanding his earliest papers on the quantum concept. In 1906 and 1914 Planck published more comprehensive accounts of his theory of blackbody heat radiation and his quantum hypothesis.

This American Institute of Physics publication, The Theory of Heat Radiation, reprints these two later works - Vorlesungen Uber die Theorie der Warmestrahlung (1906) and his revised and expanded second edition (1914). The 1906 work is in German while the revised 1914 edition is in English. This publication is volume 11 in the outstanding AIP series titled The History of Modern Physics 1800-1950.

I found the lengthy introduction by Allan Needell to be very helpful in placing Planck's work in the proper historical context and in identifying points at which Planck made key changes in his personal views. Much of Needell's introduction is devoted to Planck's gradual acceptance of Boltzmann's probabilistic approach to entropy.

The first fifty pages examine heat radiation from the perspective of classical optics, including topics like radiation at thermodynamic equilibrium, Kirchhoff's law, and blackbody radiation. The next fifty pages, deductions from electrodynamics and thermodynamics, were substantially more mathematical. Planck discussed the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation and the Wien displacement law in detail as well as spectral distribution of energy radiation. Section III presents a general procedure for calculating entropy and introduces his quantum hypothesis. I did not study section IV (Planck's derivation of the law of the distribution of energy in the spectrum of blackbody radiation), nor section V (Irreversible Radiation Processes.)

Despite an extended effort on my part, I did not find Planck's systematic examination of heat radiation to be particularly helpful as an aid to mastering thermodynamics. Its appeal is largely historical. Needell rightly observes that Planck's works will primarily benefit those readers who seek to study and understand the history of quantum physics. However, I do believe that general readers with substantial familiarity with thermodynamics and electrodynamics will find it worthwhile to study Allan Needell's thoughtful introduction and to browse Max Planck's seminal work.

For those looking for a more basic self-tutorial, I highly recommend Thermodynamics by Enrico Fermi. Dover Publications has reprinted this remarkably lucid, concise work in an inexpensive soft cover format. This short book is based on a series of lectures given by Fermi at Columbia University in 1936.

I also recommend chapter one, Thermal Radiation and Planck's Postulate, in the widely used text book Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles by Robert Eisberg and Robert Resnick.

Essential to understand radiative heat transfer.......1999-07-15

I recommend this book to anyone involved with radiative heat transfer, even engineers. Usually one makes contact with this subject through engineering-oriented books. But, at least in this case, the original work is much better. Engineers usually don't like to read physics books, but this one is pretty accessible and easy to understand.

The Theory of Electrons: And its Applications to the Phenomena of Light and Radiant Heat (Dover Phoenix Editions)

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The Theory of Electrons: And its Applications to the Phenomena of Light and Radiant Heat (Dover Phoenix Editions)
H. A. Lorentz
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0486495582

Book Description

Based on a famous course of lectures delivered at Columbia University by Nobel laureate H. A. Lorentz, this volume remains remarkably modern. Its outstanding discussion of general principles and experimental facts keep it vital, and 109 pages of notes offer detailed examinations of the mathematics involved. Unabridged reproduction of the 1915 edition. 9 Figures.

Effect of Transient Body Force on the Performance of an Axial Grooved Heat Pipe

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Effect of Transient Body Force on the Performance of an Axial Grooved Heat Pipe

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 1423578414

Product Description

This is a AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A809013. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effect of transient body forces on the performance of an ammonia/aluminum axial groove heat pipe. The effects of increased body forces on the dryout and rewet performance were simulated by tilting the heat pipe to different inclination angles. Theoretical calculations predicted the dryout length varied with different final inclination angles. The steady state experimental work was performed by tilting the heat pipe from 0 degrees to different final inclination angles for a long period of time until totally dryout occurred. Then, from the plot of the changing temperature at each location along the heat pipe, the dryout length could be predicted. Under steady state condition, the percent error between the experimental and theoretical data differed by as low as 50%. The transient experimental work was performed by tilting the heat pipe from different initial inclination angles to different final inclination angles under three duration conditions. The time for the heat pipe to dryout, rewet, and return to the initial condition was observed as a function of the initial inclination angles, the final inclination angles, and duration of the heat pipe at the final angle. The results revealed that the larger body force (or the larger final inclination angle) increased the dryout length, and increased the time to return to its initial condition. The duration of the adverse angle had less of an effect on the time to rewet. But the initial inclination angle has a strong effect on the time to rewet.

Emission, absorption, and transfer of radiation in heated atmospheres, (International series of monographs in natural philosophy)

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Emission, absorption, and transfer of radiation in heated atmospheres, (International series of monographs in natural philosophy)
Baxter H Armstrong
Manufacturer: Pergamon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Heat, Temperature, and Nuclear Radiation: Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Heat Engines, Nuclear Decay, and Radon Monitoring (Units 16-18 & 28), Module 3, Workshop Physics(r) Activity Guide

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Heat, Temperature, and Nuclear Radiation: Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Heat Engines, Nuclear Decay, and Radon Monitoring (Units 16-18 & 28), Module 3, Workshop Physics(r) Activity Guide
Priscilla W. Laws
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Loose Leaf

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ASIN: 0471155950

Radiation in Enclosures: Elliptic Boundary Value Problem (Scientific Computation)

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Radiation in Enclosures: Elliptic Boundary Value Problem (Scientific Computation)
Aristide Mbiock , and Roman Weber
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 354066095X

Book Description

This graduate textbook is concerned with both the formulation and the solution of radiation heat transfer problems in enclosures. The book is essentially self-contained and includes a brief historical survey. The foundations are carefully discussed from the point of view of the exact mathematical basis of boundary value problems and their variational solutions as well as of the physical foundations. The computational methods developed by the authors are used in engineering applications. The combination of exact mathematical modelling with numerical skills makes this a unique textbook.

Approximate predictions of the transport of thermal radiation through an absorbing plane layer (NASA technical note)

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Approximate predictions of the transport of thermal radiation through an absorbing plane layer (NASA technical note)
M. A Heaslet
Manufacturer: For sale by the Office of Technical Services, Dept. of Commerce
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0007I9A6K

Electron impact, heat, and transport phenomena in solids (University of New Mexico. Bureau of Engineering Research. Technical report)

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Electron impact, heat, and transport phenomena in solids (University of New Mexico. Bureau of Engineering Research. Technical report)
Martin Wolk
Manufacturer: Bureau of Engineering Research, UNM
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Mean coefficients of radiation in sooty media in light of the Lorenz-Mie and Lorentz-Drude theories (SAE technical paper series)

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Mean coefficients of radiation in sooty media in light of the Lorenz-Mie and Lorentz-Drude theories (SAE technical paper series)
Ahmet Selamet
Manufacturer: Society of Automotive Engineers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Book Description

Readers will take pleasure in discovering the classics through these beautifully packaged and affordably priced editions of famous works of literature from all over the world. A variety of periods, themes, and authors is represented.

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COLMILLO BLANCO

Manufacturer: ORBIS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8475307531

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Colmillo Blanco
Roser Capdevila
Manufacturer: Salvat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 8434569574

Colmillo Blanco - Jack London y Su Obra (Coleccion Cara y Cruz)

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Colmillo Blanco - Jack London y Su Obra (Coleccion Cara y Cruz)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Norma
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Colmillo Blanco-Llamada de la Selvah
Jack London
Manufacturer: Everest Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

... y terminó el movimiento con una sacudida que estiró las riendas y que frenó en seco el impulso de sus ciento cincuenta libras. La carga se estremeció y de los patines se elevó un crujido seco.

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El Llamado De La Selva Colmillo Blanco
Jack London
Manufacturer: Libros Sin Fronteras
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9684322054

La Llamada de la Selva/Colmillo Blanco (Classics for Young Readers Series)

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La Llamada de la Selva/Colmillo Blanco (Classics for Young Readers Series)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Everest De Ediciones Y Distribucion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Colmillo Blanco 039
Jack London
Manufacturer: Acme
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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