Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence [Paperback]

Hans Moravec (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0674576187 | ISBN-13: 978-0674576186 | Publication Date: January 2, 1990

A dizzying display of intellect and wild imaginings by Moravec, a world-class roboticist who has himself developed clever beasts . . . Undeniably, Moravec comes across as a highly knowledgeable and creative talent-which is just what the field needs" - Kirkus Reviews.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One would be making a mistake to let Mind Children recede unopened into a guiltless oblivion. It's a tonic book, thought-provoking on every page. And it reminds us that, in our accelerating, headlong era, the future presses so close upon us that those who ignore it inhabit not the present but the past.
--Brad Leithauser (New Yorker )

A comprehensive and highly readable survey of the state of the art in robotics.
--M. Mitchell Waldrop (New York Times Book Review )

Moravec, by his own admission, is an intellectual joyrider, and riding his runaway trains of thought is an exhilarating experience...This is an intellectual party that shouldn't be pooped, no matter how much it may disturb the neighbours and encourage over-indulgence.
--Brian Woolley (Guardian )

[Mind Children] has the accuracy of a college text and the can't-put-it-down appeal of a good novel. Moravec has turned the flights of mind of one of the world's foremost roboticists into hard copy. And he has written a tremendously good book in the process.
--Eric Bobinsky (Byte )

A dizzying display of intellect and wild imaginings by Moravec, a world-class roboticist who has himself developed clever beasts...Undeniably, Moravec comes across as a highly knowledgeable and creative talent--which is just what the field needs. (Kirkus Reviews )

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (January 2, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674576187
• ISBN-13: 978-0674576186
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Computer Mathematics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy it for the prologue alone!, November 28, 1999

By 

Bobb Collins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence (Paperback)

I picked up this book, expecting to learn a little bit about where we're headed with our computers, and the consequences therein. I learned all that--but I got even more than I bargained for. I have to say, the prologue in and of itself blew me away. I had never quite thought of humans as the first step in a bigger evolution. I read this book six months ago, and I haven't been able to get the implications of it out of my head since. If you're looking for the big answers--like "Why are we here?" and "What's the point?"--you may be like me and find more in here than in more traditional spiritual texts.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking, but un-even, December 22, 2007

By 

J. A. Griffin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence (Paperback)

In this nearly twenty year old book, the author contends that advancing technology and the force of economic competition will lead inevitably (and in a span of mere decades) to a world in which machine intelligence vastly exceeds human intelligence. In chapters 3 through 6 the author gives a fascinating look at some of the possible features of that transhuman, post-biological world. Those chapters are as interesting and thought-provoking as any that have appeared in more contemporary treatments. Where the book does show it age, however, is in the first three chapters. There the author reviews the history of computer technology, and then succumbs to the shop-worn refrain of many classical AI researchers - "If only we had a computer that is 100 (or 1000 or 10000) times as powerful as today's machine, then we could program a human-equivalent intelligence". He even predicts on page 23 that "a general-purpose robot usable in the home" will be available within ten years. Well, today we have the computer power he was hoping for and still no general-purpose robot. Bottom line: if you want a fascinating look at what a world with superintelligent machines might be like, then buy this book and start reading at chapter 4. If you are interested in how we might actually achieve such a world then consider buying a copy of "On Intelligence" by Jeff Hawkins.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast, fun book by a knowledgable author, January 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence (Paperback)

This book is very pleasant and easy to read. Yes, the subject is in itself fascinating, but Moravec does manage to make that clear. Whether one is interested in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, or just looking for some thoughts on fun-filled research, this book is a sound place to start. In fact, this book is a great bait for caching curious high school and undergraduate students! I know. I've attracted at least a couple to my research just by letting them borrow my own copy! (Francisco Sepulveda, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering Dept. FEEC-UNICAMP, Brazil)