Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Pandgt;As computers and the tasks they perform become increasingly complex, researchers are looking to nature -- as model and as metaphor -- for inspiration. The organization and behavior of biological organisms present scientists with an invitation to reinvent computing for the complex tasks of the future. In Imitation of Life, Nancy Forbes surveys the emerging field of biologically inspired computing, looking at some of the most impressive and influential examples of this fertile synergy.Forbes points out that the influence of biology on computing goes back to the early days of computer science -- John von Neumann, the architect of the first digital computer, used the human brain as the model for his design. Inspired by von Neumann and other early visionaries, as well as by her work on the "Ultrascale Computing" project at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Forbes describes the exciting potential of these revolutionary new technologies. She identifies three strains of biologically inspired computing: the use of biology as a metaphor or inspiration for the development of algorithms; the construction of information processing systems that use biological materials or are modeled on biological processes, or both; and the effort to understand how biological organisms "compute," or process information.Forbes then shows us how current researchers are using these approaches. In successive chapters, she looks at artificial neural networks; evolutionary and genetic algorithms, which search for the "fittest" among a generation of solutions; cellular automata; artificial life -- not just a simulation, but "alive" in the internal ecosystem of the computer; DNA computation, which uses the encoding capability of DNA to devise algorithms; self-assembly and its potential use in nanotechnology; amorphous computing, modeled on the kind of cooperation seen in a colony of cells or a swarm of bees; computer immune systems; bio-hardware and how bioelectronics compares to silicon; and the "computational" properties of cells.andlt;/Pandgt;
Review
"...A whirlwind history, richer even than its subtitle suggests." John Doyle and Marie Csete Nature The MIT Press
Review
"...A whirlwind history, richer even than its subtitle suggests."
— John Doyle and Marie Csete, Nature
Review
"...Forbes [is] an expert guide to the hottest research in a potentially revolutionary area of technology." Gilbert Taylor Booklist The MIT Press
Review
andquot;...Forbes [is] an expert guide to the hottest research in a potentially revolutionary area of technology.andquot;
-- Gilbert Taylor, Booklist
Review
"Though the text is clearly written, it offers a lot of technical information. Recommended..." Susan B. Hagloch Library Journal The MIT Press
Review
"On the surface it seems that computing should be an attractive career for women, but for many it hasn't been. Margolis and Fisher give us a deep and nuanced insight into this troubling problem. No simplistic answers are offered, but rather the far richer perspectives of real human experience."--Wm. A. Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineering The MIT Press
Review
"The analogies between computers and biological organisms have often been overstated, so I approached this book with modest expectations. I was pleased to find that it was often cautious and moderate, even as it described claims enthusiastically promoted by others. Forbes should be congratulated for presenting the case for 'bio-inspired computing' in a way that will make the controversies it evokes accessible to a very broad audience."--Joshua Lederberg, Professor Emeritus, Rockefeller University, 1958 Nobel Laureate in Medicine The MIT Press
Review
"Computer engineering and biology have so much to say to each other; Nancy Forbes catalyzes this conversation and let's us listen in via her engaging style. This book will appeal to technophiles, interdisciplinarians, and broad thinkers of all stripes."--George M. Church, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School The MIT Press
Review
"How does our brain do such exquisitely complex things with such slow and unreliable components? Are there lessons here for building more capable and robust computers? Nancy Forbes gathers evidence from a wide variety of fields, providing a lively and accessible survey of what we know and don't know about these questions."--Wm. A. Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineering The MIT Press
Review
"*Imitation of Life* successfully presents the case that for the first time in history, we are able to engineer machines that can both borrow designs from the complexity of life, through computer science, and implement the algorithms of life, through nanotechnology."--Stan Williams, Senior Fellow, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories The MIT Press
Review
"These remarkable essays highlight Chuck Vest's statesmanship, honesty, and moral courage in addressing the most difficult issues facing academia in recent years. Essential for anyone interested in the high art of leadership."--Wm. A. Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineering
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"On the surface it seems that computing should be an attractive career for women, but for many it hasn't been. Margolis and Fisher give us a deep and nuanced insight into this troubling problem. No simplistic answers are offered, but rather the far richer perspectives of real human experience."--Wm. A. Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineeringandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"...A whirlwind history, richer even than its subtitle suggests." John Doyle and Marie Csete Natureandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"...Forbes [is] an expert guide to the hottest research in a potentially revolutionary area of technology." Gilbert Taylor Booklistandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"Though the text is clearly written, it offers a lot of technical information. Recommended..." Susan B. Hagloch Library Journalandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"The analogies between computers and biological organisms have often been overstated, so I approached this book with modest expectations. I was pleased to find that it was often cautious and moderate, even as it described claims enthusiastically promoted by others. Forbes should be congratulated for presenting the case for 'bio-inspired computing' in a way that will make the controversies it evokes accessible to a very broad audience."--Joshua Lederberg, Professor Emeritus, Rockefeller University, 1958 Nobel Laureate in Medicineandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"Computer engineering and biology have so much to say to each other; Nancy Forbes catalyzes this conversation and let's us listen in via her engaging style. This book will appeal to technophiles, interdisciplinarians, and broad thinkers of all stripes."--George M. Church, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical Schoolandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"How does our brain do such exquisitely complex things with such slow and unreliable components? Are there lessons here for building more capable and robust computers? Nancy Forbes gathers evidence from a wide variety of fields, providing a lively and accessible survey of what we know and don't know about these questions."--Wm. A. Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineeringandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"*Imitation of Life* successfully presents the case that for the first time in history, we are able to engineer machines that can both borrow designs from the complexity of life, through computer science, and implement the algorithms of life, through nanotechnology."--Stan Williams, Senior Fellow, Hewlett-Packard Laboratoriesandlt;/Pandgt;
Synopsis
As computers and the tasks they perform become increasingly complex, researchers are looking to nature -- as model and as metaphor -- for inspiration. The organization and behavior of biological organisms present scientists with an invitation to reinvent computing for the complex tasks of the future. In Imitation of Life, Nancy Forbes surveys the emerging field of biologically inspired computing, looking at some of the most impressive and influential examples of this fertile synergy.Forbes points out that the influence of biology on computing goes back to the early days of computer science -- John von Neumann, the architect of the first digital computer, used the human brain as the model for his design. Inspired by von Neumann and other early visionaries, as well as by her work on the "Ultrascale Computing" project at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Forbes describes the exciting potential of these revolutionary new technologies. She identifies three strains of biologically inspired computing: the use of biology as a metaphor or inspiration for the development of algorithms; the construction of information processing systems that use biological materials or are modeled on biological processes, or both; and the effort to understand how biological organisms "compute," or process information.Forbes then shows us how current researchers are using these approaches. In successive chapters, she looks at artificial neural networks; evolutionary and genetic algorithms, which search for the "fittest" among a generation of solutions; cellular automata; artificial life -- not just a simulation, but "alive" in the internal ecosystem of the computer; DNA computation, which uses the encoding capability of DNA to devise algorithms; self-assembly and its potential use in nanotechnology; amorphous computing, modeled on the kind of cooperation seen in a colony of cells or a swarm of bees; computer immune systems; bio-hardware and how bioelectronics compares to silicon; and the "computational" properties of cells.
Synopsis
How scientists are using nature as model and metaphor to reinvent computing: a survey of an emerging field.As computers and the tasks they perform become increasingly complex, researchers are looking to nature--as model and as metaphor--for inspiration. The organization and behavior of biological organisms present scientists with an invitation to reinvent computing for the complex tasks of the future. In Imitation of Life, Nancy Forbes surveys the emerging field of biologically inspired computing, looking at some of the most impressive and influential examples of this fertile synergy.
Forbes points out that the influence of biology on computing goes back to the early days of computer science--John von Neumann, the architect of the first digital computer, used the human brain as the model for his design. Inspired by von Neumann and other early visionaries, as well as by her work on the Ultrascale Computing project at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Forbes describes the exciting potential of these revolutionary new technologies. She identifies three strains of biologically inspired computing: the use of biology as a metaphor or inspiration for the development of algorithms; the construction of information processing systems that use biological materials or are modeled on biological processes, or both; and the effort to understand how biological organisms compute, or process information.
Forbes then shows us how current researchers are using these approaches. In successive chapters, she looks at artificial neural networks; evolutionary and genetic algorithms, which search for the fittest among a generation of solutions; cellular automata; artificial life--not just a simulation, but alive in the internal ecosystem of the computer; DNA computation, which uses the encoding capability of DNA to devise algorithms; self-assembly and its potential use in nanotechnology; amorphous computing, modeled on the kind of cooperation seen in a colony of cells or a swarm of bees; computer immune systems; bio-hardware and how bioelectronics compares to silicon; and the computational properties of cells.
Synopsis
How scientists are using nature as model and metaphor to reinvent computing: a survey of an emerging field.
Synopsis
Forbes then shows us how current researchers are using these approaches. In successive chapters, she looks at artificial neural networks; evolutionary and genetic algorithms, which search for the fittest among a generation of solutions; cellular automata; artificial life -- not just a simulation, but alive in the internal ecosystem of the computer; DNA computation, which uses the encoding capability of DNA to devise algorithms; self-assembly and its potential use in nanotechnology; amorphous computing, modeled on the kind of cooperation seen in a colony of cells or a swarm of bees; computer immune systems; bio-hardware and how bioelectronics compares to silicon; and the computational properties of cells.
Synopsis
As computers and the tasks they perform become increasingly complex, researchers are looking to nature--as model and as metaphor--for inspiration. The organization and behavior of biological organisms present scientists with an invitation to reinvent computing for the complex tasks of the future. In
About the Author
Nancy Forbes works as a science and technology analyst for the federal government. She has advanced degrees both in physics and the humanities, and has served as a contributing editor for The Industrial Physicist and Computing in Science and Engineering.