Are you a computer? I ask this question of many people, and they usually answer, no. “I have emotions,” “feelings,” “humans exercise free will,” “I just don't feel like one.” But many scientists, perhaps even most, think we are computers. “Computers can be programmed to display emotions,” they say. “Humans are just protein-based computers?” I think this is wrong and in this book I explain my reasons and the current debate.
Strong AI scientists believe it is just a matter of time before computers overtake us and we become their pets! On the other hand, a group of scientists including Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff, J. R. Lucas, John Searle, myself and others think there is something more complex going on in the human brain. Our theories are controversial in some quarters as they involve quantum mechanics and hyper-computing. However, things are changing. Only a few years ago it was shown photosynthesis is a quantum phenomenon so arguments that the brain is too warm for quantum effects have fallen away.
While Stephen Hawking looks at the surface of black holes for inspiration this book looks at the puzzle of consciousness in the human brain. Charting a journey through the science of knowledge I explore the origins of language and logic, our present understanding of the brain and Alan Turing’s work on the universal machine. The story culminates in a look at our current understanding of where quantum mechanics meets relativity at the information level, examining Bell’s inequality, and the Conway-Kochen Free Will Theorem. How do the laws of physics give rise to our creativity, our rich experience of communication and, especially, our experience of conscious free will?
***** Are the Androids Dreaming Yet? should not be missed… – Foreword Reviews
In this hefty examination of creativity, free will, and the meaning of humanity, engineer James Tagg discusses the similarities and differences between humans and computers. In exploring the possibility that computers will one day match or exceed human mental capabilities, Are the Androids Dreaming Yet? provides a whirlwind tour of philosophy, computing, logic, and communication...
An excellent choice for both the newcomer looking for an introduction to the debate over artificial intelligence and a more sophisticated reader looking for a deep reassessment. – Kirkus Reviews
The extraordinary progress of neuroscience has led many to believe that a comprehensive explanation of human thought—and its artificial replication—is a theoretical inevitability. First-time author and inventor Tagg argues, however, that the analogy between human cognition and artificial computation is flawed. In fact, computers don’t really seem to think or understand at all in the sense in which humans do, and their often amazing feats are accomplished with a minimum of creativity and no self-awareness…
***** …a scientific treatise written in a wonderfully entertaining way that can reach the lay person. – Readers’ Favourites
…I was fascinated as soon as I saw the book cover and continued to be engrossed and interested while reading as I started to look at everyday things in a scientific way. I was also impressed at how easy it was to understand various scientific terms and explanations, and the credit for that goes to James Tagg for his ability to translate complex theories into a language that the lay person can relate to and appreciate. The subject is interesting and, at times, fascinating and it was a fun read for me. Overall, Are the Androids Dreaming Yet?: Amazing Brain. Human Communication, Creativity and Free Will by James Tagg is an extremely interesting book that almost reads like a wonderful story, except that it is all true.
Strong AI scientists believe it is just a matter of time before computers overtake us and we become their pets! On the other hand, a group of scientists including Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff, J. R. Lucas, John Searle, myself and others think there is something more complex going on in the human brain. Our theories are controversial in some quarters as they involve quantum mechanics and hyper-computing. However, things are changing. Only a few years ago it was shown photosynthesis is a quantum phenomenon so arguments that the brain is too warm for quantum effects have fallen away.
While Stephen Hawking looks at the surface of black holes for inspiration this book looks at the puzzle of consciousness in the human brain. Charting a journey through the science of knowledge I explore the origins of language and logic, our present understanding of the brain and Alan Turing’s work on the universal machine. The story culminates in a look at our current understanding of where quantum mechanics meets relativity at the information level, examining Bell’s inequality, and the Conway-Kochen Free Will Theorem. How do the laws of physics give rise to our creativity, our rich experience of communication and, especially, our experience of conscious free will?
***** Are the Androids Dreaming Yet? should not be missed… – Foreword Reviews
In this hefty examination of creativity, free will, and the meaning of humanity, engineer James Tagg discusses the similarities and differences between humans and computers. In exploring the possibility that computers will one day match or exceed human mental capabilities, Are the Androids Dreaming Yet? provides a whirlwind tour of philosophy, computing, logic, and communication...
An excellent choice for both the newcomer looking for an introduction to the debate over artificial intelligence and a more sophisticated reader looking for a deep reassessment. – Kirkus Reviews
The extraordinary progress of neuroscience has led many to believe that a comprehensive explanation of human thought—and its artificial replication—is a theoretical inevitability. First-time author and inventor Tagg argues, however, that the analogy between human cognition and artificial computation is flawed. In fact, computers don’t really seem to think or understand at all in the sense in which humans do, and their often amazing feats are accomplished with a minimum of creativity and no self-awareness…
***** …a scientific treatise written in a wonderfully entertaining way that can reach the lay person. – Readers’ Favourites
…I was fascinated as soon as I saw the book cover and continued to be engrossed and interested while reading as I started to look at everyday things in a scientific way. I was also impressed at how easy it was to understand various scientific terms and explanations, and the credit for that goes to James Tagg for his ability to translate complex theories into a language that the lay person can relate to and appreciate. The subject is interesting and, at times, fascinating and it was a fun read for me. Overall, Are the Androids Dreaming Yet?: Amazing Brain. Human Communication, Creativity and Free Will by James Tagg is an extremely interesting book that almost reads like a wonderful story, except that it is all true.
