After the Internet: Alien Intelligence [Hardcover]

James Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Former rocket scientist and internationally known high-tech computer consultant James Martin takes the reader on a fascinating tour of the new frontiers of computer technology and its self-replicating artificial intelligence that will change the way we live.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 479 pages
• Publisher: Capital Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895262800
• ISBN-13: 978-0895262806
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,199,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great credentials but no material, May 21, 2001

By 

Doug Walton (Campbell, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After the Internet: Alien Intelligence (Hardcover)

Dr. Martin's credentials are certainly impressive, as were his some of his previous works, which I read. This book is at least an easy read, and Dr. Martin makes an excellent point that computer intelligence is different than human intelligence and should not be expected to emulate it.

Unfortunately, there is little else of substantive value after that. The book is pretty much a long, incredibly repetitious, and rambling journey. There are some mildly provacative high-tech examples, but it is mostly a rehash of what has been in the popular press and assertions about the differences between human and machine intelligence that are largely unsupported.

As a further distraction, the examples are mixed with tired and rehashed chronicles from the history of computing--ie., Gate's Microsoft story, Apple, and the decline of betamax. There are some interesting anecdotes that shed light on Bill Gate's personality, but unless one is a complete neophyte to high technology reading, I wouldn't recommend this.

For those looking for easy-to-read yet substantially more provactive and focused material, there is Daguid & Brown's "The Social Life of Information" or Dertouzos' "The Unfinished Revolution." These men have similarly impressive credentials and stick to the point.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating but appallingly sloppy, January 31, 2002

By 

Kevin W. Parker (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: After the Internet: Alien Intelligence (Hardcover)

Summary of the early parts: computers are going to be intelligent, but they will be intelligent in their own way, not like us. Now you can skip to chapter three.

That's kind of what this whole book is like: fascinating comments and revelations not necessarily addressed in an organized or clear way, as if the author wrote the book in a great hurry.

The gist is fascinating: computers are changing our world in extraordinary ways, and what they can do and how they do it will shape our future. The middle part of the book discusses the potential impacts, though as a computer geek I found the final part the most interesting, in which he discusses the nature of computer intelligence. This includes techniques such as genetic algorithms, neural networks (which work even though the programmer can't tell you how), complex adaptive systems, etc.

On the other hand, there are some appallingly sloppy moments that damaged my confidence in the book: cybernetics genius Norbert Wiener's name is consistently misspelled (remember, "i before e except after c"), there are several references to a mythical "penal" gland (I think he means pineal), and Martin relates the notion that draining water spirals in opposite directions in the northern and southern hemispheres as if it were authoritative truth rather than an urban legend. But it's worth a quick read, and it is a quick read.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Really Mr. Martin ! ! - this will not do, August 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: After the Internet: Alien Intelligence (Hardcover)

To state that this book is a disappointment is an understatement. For an author who claims to be a technology guru this is a mish mash of whimsical fantasy. It belongs in the realms of bad science fiction. Martin never really explains what this alien intelligence really is - we are left to assume this is some form of intelligent or sophisticated software. There is really no theme to this book but a random selection of Martins thoughts and bias. He gives no supporting data, facts but relies on quotes, unlikely scenarios and just plain fiction. Interestingly, this book is an unsophisticated attempt and update of Martins earlier work - `The Wired Society" - both editions of this earlier book never mention the Internet.

One last bad example can be found on the back cover - the CEO of Headstrong Inc, Mr. Patrick Litre gives a glowing review of the book - but readers do not know that Mr. Martin is a significant shareholder in Headstrong Inc.