Well, the ending solidifies this book as a warning. LOL.
The preface too - which did a pretty neat job of summarizing a lot of neat points in swift Well, the ending solidifies this book as a warning. LOL.
The preface too - which did a pretty neat job of summarizing a lot of neat points in swift fashion.
Very apt to have read this with the dawn of AI’s prominence on headlines due to light language models taking off. Still, we’re stepping in the exact same terrain laid out in this book. A warning - the same bunch of people at Google warned us about BEFORE we plugged AI into the internet. Which, acting as an AI subconscious can’t be up to any good with what we’ve pumped into it.
Only saving grace is most of it’s virtual… until robotics catches up. Once robotics catches up, say within a few years, decade, twenty years max (AI might help close that gap even faster. The potential seems endless O.o) and we will have the same convergence of technologies that create the ‘singularity’ otherwise known as the point where we throw up are hands and say, ‘we don’t know’
Because we really don’t know what will happen. It’s sheer arrogance to say otherwise and stupidity to dive in anyways, and we will.
Anyways, Prey tackles the same kinda` stuff we’re facing now, except it’s nanotech, distributed systems (which I’ve not heard of) and something else that escapes me right now. The future seems scary, even then. What struck me most was the notion of ‘emergent behaviors’ which I do believe is what we see in AI and will likely continue to see. Something we never intended, yet clearly is happening anyway. Basically, innovation for a machine. And that’s ASSUMING it follows program outlines for genetics/evolution.
I don’t think we can understate the importance of the current times we live in. At least for the shape of humanity. It’s always that way, but truly it feels maybe a little more volatile with such a convergence of breakthroughs and crises that have never happened.
We gotta` be people of right action, and, hopefully, luck is on our side! In fact, I don’t think luck really works any other way.
As for the book I thought it was good. First time out with Michael Crichton and he didn't disappoint. Entertaining and thought provoking! ...more
One bizarre fact that captured my attention is how insect antennae act as a multi-sense organ. I guess, that might be true of all organs to some extenOne bizarre fact that captured my attention is how insect antennae act as a multi-sense organ. I guess, that might be true of all organs to some extent, but it's peculiar. Touch, smell, taste and vibration-sense. Wow!
Leaf and stick bugs always make me chuckle. Fun fact - insects don't live in the ocean.
And lastly what makes insects nature's wink to humanity (besides total harmony or swarm). Total transformation. :D
Crucial component to the web of life in ALL aspects of life on earth. Save Soil baby!!!...more
Wolves are my favorite animal. They're also the animal I fear the most.
Just a small case of we do not know what we do. Who can say when and where we'Wolves are my favorite animal. They're also the animal I fear the most.
Just a small case of we do not know what we do. Who can say when and where we've left lasting effects. To see the turnaround in Yellowstone feels like a victory. A lesson learned.
Most interesting to hear a scientist harp on about destiny. The hand of fate perhaps did move on that day. Seeing Pfizer here also opened ones eyes. AMost interesting to hear a scientist harp on about destiny. The hand of fate perhaps did move on that day. Seeing Pfizer here also opened ones eyes. An accidental discovery which lead to the most widely distributed drug during WWII. Fascinating....more
Are you telling me Metal Gear Solid wasn't good enough for learning about the genome?
This book is the most complicated thus far from the books I nabbAre you telling me Metal Gear Solid wasn't good enough for learning about the genome?
This book is the most complicated thus far from the books I nabbed at school. I'd say this is middle school territory. Genetics is one thing I'm sure as hell never wrapping my head around. Sure, I read the majority of what's in here, but it ain't sticking. It's probably linked to my inability to understand the simplicity of how family relations are. And maybe I'm not totally dumb in how I don't understand it since it seems like every family is whack.
We're all one human family in the end huzzah!
I do get freaked by the cloning debate. Watching Fullmetal Alchemist and seeing them talk about chimeras here reawakens that chill in my spine. Perhaps it's unfounded fear, but it's this feeling of how horribly wrong things can go especially the path we choose. Just look at how insane our need to use chemicals in all facets of life have become.
I guess the hope is that we develop tailor-made medicines to individuals. I just wonder...
What spooks me more is how the latest date mentioned in the book was 2006, and there's no doubt that things have progressed, known and unknown, and we have no way of telling....more
If you couldn't tell by my last review I get the heebie jeebies with medicine. There's something about it...
It's like...Just a wrong understanding oIf you couldn't tell by my last review I get the heebie jeebies with medicine. There's something about it...
It's like...Just a wrong understanding of how we should approach medicine in the first place. And to me modern medicine is built too invasively on the human organism. Who am I to speak?
Just my gut instinct. I acknowledge and probably realize I'm not standing here today with the advances and technologies covered here, I just can't help how I feel....more
Most amazing how this is present throughout all the animal kingdom (maybe not insects? Even then). Whose to say what it means? We can only state a facMost amazing how this is present throughout all the animal kingdom (maybe not insects? Even then). Whose to say what it means? We can only state a fact that in nature it reduces the chance of survival....more
Antartica is so unique. So much so that even in the modern sphere we can all it neutral land and not necessarily quibble over that (to my knowledge anAntartica is so unique. So much so that even in the modern sphere we can all it neutral land and not necessarily quibble over that (to my knowledge anyway). It's fascinating that we can even live there. To pen what it is feels impossible. Mountainous. To me it's like the Himalayas.
Could it be a spiritual land? To be so integral in the Earth's current functions. I think we are fools for drilling, splitting the ice around it. It's the epitome of our ignorance....more
Another naturalist after my own heart. I've been consistently feeding and maintenancing birdbaths and feeders around my house. They are wonderful creaAnother naturalist after my own heart. I've been consistently feeding and maintenancing birdbaths and feeders around my house. They are wonderful creatures, it's no wonder people are inclined to believe they herald the presence of angels or could perhaps be angels in disguise themselves.
"The other creatures with which we share this world have their rights too, but not speaking our language, they have no voice, no vote; it is our moral duty to take care of them" ~ Roger Tory Peterson...more
There's actually some informative knowledge in here. I think it's mostly about showing kids what's 'cool' in espionage, however to expand and extrapolThere's actually some informative knowledge in here. I think it's mostly about showing kids what's 'cool' in espionage, however to expand and extrapolate on the technologies seen here makes one a little...Conscious....more
What’s most fascinating about science books is how they spark wonder. Beautiful pictures, understandable, intelligent language guide the reader as theWhat’s most fascinating about science books is how they spark wonder. Beautiful pictures, understandable, intelligent language guide the reader as they learn about a phenomenon through scientific lenses. Most people I imagine have run their fair share of experiments with water, and this book provides a number of experiments that can be carried out and gives us definitions of what transpires as well as how water interacts with the environment.
I personally loved the book. I could not put it down. It’s simple, to the point, and does a great job of crafting the magic that occurs in our natural world. Water is miraculous. :D...more
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