Technology & Science
The Heart and the Chip
Daniela Rus
In 'The Heart and the Chip,' MIT robotics pioneer Daniela Rus, with Gregory Mone, offers an optimistic and insightful vision of a future where humans and intelligent machines collaborate to solve humanity's grand challenges. Through compelling anecdotes and clear explanations, Rus demystifies robotics and AI, exploring how these technologies can extend our physical and cognitive capabilities, save time, and bring a touch of 'magic' to everyday life. This book is a call to action, urging us to thoughtfully steer the development of AI and robotics to ensure they serve the greater good, emphasizing the crucial interplay between human ingenuity ('the heart') and technological power ('the chip').
The Heads of Cerberus and Other Stories
Francis Stevens
Step into a world where the boundaries of time and reality blur. In 'The Heads of Cerberus,' Robert Drayton is thrust into a dystopian Philadelphia of the 22nd century, a society ruled by the enigmatic 'Penn Service' and its 'Superlatives,' where citizens are mere numbers and freedom is a distant memory. As he and his companions unravel the dark secrets of this oppressive future, they must confront the terrifying power of the Red Bell and find a way back to their own time, or risk being trapped forever. This collection also features 'The Curious Experience of Thomas Dunbar,' an earlier tale exploring the unforeseen consequences of scientific discovery. A foundational work of the 'Radium Age' of science fiction, this book offers a thrilling blend of speculative adventure, social commentary, and imaginative wonder.
Tech Agnostic
Greg M. Epstein
In 'Tech Agnostic,' Greg M. Epstein provocatively argues that technology has evolved beyond a mere industry to become the dominant religion of our time, shaping our beliefs, practices, and values with an almost divine influence. Drawing parallels between the narratives of tech giants and ancient religious doctrines, Epstein explores how technology offers promises of salvation, community, and even immortality, while also presenting its own forms of hierarchy, ritual, and apocalypse. This book is a compelling call for a 'reformation' of our relationship with technology, urging readers to critically examine its pervasive power and redirect its astonishing capabilities towards more humane and ethical ends.
Handprints on Hubble
Kathryn D. Sullivan
In this captivating memoir, Kathryn D. Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, shares her firsthand account of the groundbreaking work behind the Hubble Space Telescope. From her early days as a 'Sputnik Baby' and her journey to becoming an astronaut, Sullivan chronicles the challenges and triumphs of launching, rescuing, repairing, and maintaining Hubble. She reveals the untold story of the engineers and astronauts who invented the tools and processes that made on-orbit maintenance possible, transforming Hubble into the most productive observatory ever built and revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
An Introduction to System Safety Engineering
Nancy G. Leveson
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of system safety engineering. It delves into the methodologies for designing, analyzing, and managing complex systems to prevent accidents and ensure safety, covering topics from hazard identification to risk mitigation strategies. Essential reading for anyone involved in the development and operation of critical systems.
Careless People
Sarah Wynn-Williams
Sarah Wynn-Williams, an idealistic diplomat, joined Facebook believing it could change the world for good. Her seven-year journey inside the tech giant, advising Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg on international policy, quickly revealed a complex reality. From navigating shark attacks and diplomatic blunders to confronting ethical dilemmas and the company's relentless pursuit of growth, Wynn-Williams offers an unvarnished, insider account of Facebook's rise, its profound global impact, and the personal cost of working at the heart of a powerful, often careless, empire. This memoir is a cautionary tale of power, greed, and lost ideals at the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
Handbook of Collective Intelligence
Thomas W. Malone
Explore the burgeoning interdisciplinary field of collective intelligence with this comprehensive handbook. Edited by leading experts, this volume synthesizes insights from diverse disciplines—including economics, biology, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, and social sciences—to illuminate how groups of individuals, both human and computer, can act collectively in intelligent ways. From the 'wisdom of crowds' in financial markets to the collaborative power of Wikipedia, the book delves into the theoretical foundations, historical context, and practical applications, offering a roadmap for understanding and designing more intelligent systems in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Innovators
Walter Isaacson
Explore the captivating history of the digital revolution through the stories of the brilliant minds—hackers, geniuses, and geeks—who shaped our modern technological world. From the earliest pioneers to the titans of Silicon Valley, this book chronicles the collaborative and individual efforts that led to the creation of computers, the internet, and the digital age.