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kimberussell's review against another edition
3.0
I put this on my to-read list and it magically appeared on my desk at work a few days later! It’s good to have friends who read…thank you JG!
It wasn’t an easy book for me to read but by then I had made my goal of 50 so I dove in. I enjoyed his theories on how evolution is speeding up while the changes in the universe seem to be slowing down. It was a little hard to wrap my brain around it, but I appreciated it. He lost me in the philosophical sections but that’s on me – I’ve never been into philosophy.
But! His predictions are pretty solid. I mean, I’m not eating things so that people can track my movement, but I do carry a tiny computer that pings out my location if I allow it to. And probably even if I don’t. Throughout the book, Kurzweil converses with Molly, a stand-in for the reader. Molly moves through time as Kurzweil remains in 1998 and she reports back the changes that are happening around her and to her.
Three stars. I liked it, but did skim some parts.
It wasn’t an easy book for me to read but by then I had made my goal of 50 so I dove in. I enjoyed his theories on how evolution is speeding up while the changes in the universe seem to be slowing down. It was a little hard to wrap my brain around it, but I appreciated it. He lost me in the philosophical sections but that’s on me – I’ve never been into philosophy.
But! His predictions are pretty solid. I mean, I’m not eating things so that people can track my movement, but I do carry a tiny computer that pings out my location if I allow it to. And probably even if I don’t. Throughout the book, Kurzweil converses with Molly, a stand-in for the reader. Molly moves through time as Kurzweil remains in 1998 and she reports back the changes that are happening around her and to her.
Three stars. I liked it, but did skim some parts.
jen52's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book that made me think in a way I never had before. I think I need to go back and read it again!
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
Too utopian. For example, he assumed people would quickly get brain implants, while ignoring the prevalence of viruses and other malware on current computers. While I don't things will be as bad as Terminator, I don't think the infinite improvement of computing will be without its problems.
He also ignored social situations that will retard the advance of technology. Like monopolies killing competition. He only briefly mentioned Neo-Luddites.
The problem with futurists is that they too often assume that current trends will continue too long. That's why 1950's SF had interstellar civilizations. The currently advancing technologies were transportation-cars, interstate highways, planes.
He also ignored social situations that will retard the advance of technology. Like monopolies killing competition. He only briefly mentioned Neo-Luddites.
The problem with futurists is that they too often assume that current trends will continue too long. That's why 1950's SF had interstellar civilizations. The currently advancing technologies were transportation-cars, interstate highways, planes.
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
4.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
The book is all wonderful and great, with author making solid theories about his future predictions, evolution of technology. But that's the thing. Much like the quote he used: will the Universe end with a crack or a squeak? So did the book end with be it a crack or a squeak. We start with solid stuff, and we end up in 2099, a fantastical setting of Detroit: Become Human, on the verge of considering android civil rights, basically. And while he explained that train of thought well, to me this is still going form non-fiction, to science-fiction, which felt as a derailing of sorts.
The book is good, easy to read and understand, but still full of food for thought. I can give it a solid 4 out of 5, for you might not mind the "so now, let's daydream about the future" the way I did.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
The book is all wonderful and great, with author making solid theories about his future predictions, evolution of technology. But that's the thing. Much like the quote he used: will the Universe end with a crack or a squeak? So did the book end with be it a crack or a squeak. We start with solid stuff, and we end up in 2099, a fantastical setting of Detroit: Become Human, on the verge of considering android civil rights, basically. And while he explained that train of thought well, to me this is still going form non-fiction, to science-fiction, which felt as a derailing of sorts.
The book is good, easy to read and understand, but still full of food for thought. I can give it a solid 4 out of 5, for you might not mind the "so now, let's daydream about the future" the way I did.
kevenwang's review against another edition
5.0
The most comprehensive overview on AI. Also great predictions for the future
exile's review against another edition
2.0
Kurzweil may be the prophet of Transhumanisim and technologially-enhanced humanity... but I didn't like his writing style. Maybe it was this book, too.
ninj's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look at future trends and technology, though the timelines themselves - read now from a position 18 years after the book was written - aren't terribly accurate.
jonathan_lee_b's review against another edition
4.0
The Age of Spiritual Machines is constantly checking the date on your phone.