Customer Reviews

Natural Computing: DNA, Quantum Bits, and the Future of Smart Machines

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Natural Computing is an interesting and thought-provoking amalgam of mini-essays/bio's of the people engaged in computing other than digital. The format is fast paced and engaging. The authors cover Adaptive Computing, Harnessing Lifestuff, and Physics and Speed. My favorite was the chapter on Nancy Leveson called, "It's the System Stupid." This chapter uses the Bhopal, India incident to illustrate the power of interaction in safety. On the tradition of root-cause analysis, "Leveson argues that the approach is simplistic and harmfull. Often the chain starts at the most convenient root cause, and usually only one root cause is identified. In addition, systemic factors that allowed the even to occur are often ignored." This mini-discourse in system safety is worth the very reasonable price of the book.

The authors frequently reference their subject's work, which allows the reader to dig deeper than the topical treatment presented.

Very well done and recommended for anyone curious about the new frontiers of computing.

I am ordinary graduate student over whelmed by everdy procedure of my research and almost forget the main dreams that brought me this way! I am not in the best school or never been in any best group but I have been always looking to create and make stuff. I am reading alot and many times heard that I am top of many stuff. A friend of mine from newsweek magazine suggested me to read this book and I absolutely enjoyed reading every section of it. for someone in control/automation/safety world with practical experiences in developing AI systems and evolutionary algorithms I am amazed that how this book could still drawn me in its stories. it clearly explain the goal of each project and how it formed in terms of peoples dreams/goal or project/history of the problem. it gives you some real understanding of how things are really are ( like crunching numbers algorithm in Quant companies) and how big they are in a very simple language.
you may enjoy the contemporary history of many companies, project or programing philosophies or the story of people who are not from the best schools or always the best of their decks but still contributed amazingly into this world. It can be a great gift to first year college students who are thinking to choose between CS or engineering or making their own way in this world!!

"Natural Computing" brings together a collection of personal stories and accounts of some of the most far-reaching scientific research today. They fall under three main themes, united by a broader theme: the synthesis of computation and nature. It's written to be accessible to a general audience, though a scientific leaning is certainly helpful.

Each main theme is given it's own section:
The first part of the book, titled "Adaptive Computing", introduces and explores various applications of genetic algorithms, which essentially use the model of evolution as a problem solving technique. Inspired by nature, a solution to an engineering problem may be "grown" rather than designed.
The second part, "Harnessing Lifestuff", explores ways in which the silicon and transistors of traditional computers can actually be replaced by the stuff of life (cells, DNA, viruses). Since a computer can be made of essentially anything, why not use nature's greatest building blocks?
The third part, "Physics and Speed", discusses the limitations of current mainstream computing architecture, and ways this architecture is being radically redesigned in some cases to be greatly optimized for specific tasks.

There's a lot covered in this unusual book. It's more broad than deep. Different sections will appeal to different people. Much of the content focuses on the personal journeys of the scientists, to complement the details of their research. Sidebars are used frequently for more focused technical discussion. The strength of this book is that it can be read on different levels, and it is sure to inspire further reading.

I recommend this book especially to young people studying computer science. Many abstract concepts are nicely explained along with their applications, and many of the ideas and projects outlined are sure to inspire. Personally, any book that can successfully combine embryogenesis, origami, and Robocop in one chapter ("From Local to Global") is pretty darn cool to me. This is a great book to dip into to get excited about what's possible.

Trends in computer science indeed. But also trends in biology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine, physics, and more. I got for a project I am doing on DNA Origami. Rothemund and Seemen are big names in that field, and are profiled here. The book had to concentrate on one or two of their most researched topics, but did a great job explaining those. I beg of the authors to write another more in depth book just on those two alone!!!!

Good book.. Was delivered in perfect condition.. I almost finished it..look forward to doing business again! The future is almost here!!!