Asimov talked about it...I think it was part of Alan Turing's vision... A lot of people have used the 'reproduction' function as a talking point re robotics. AI, computers, etc, etc...
EDIT - that's the one! Well done. Couldn't remember a specific story...
(EDIT - that's the one! Well done. Couldn't remember a specific story...
chaotic_illuminator proud spacehopperist,
Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:27,
archived)
Turing there was a man who was houndedto a needless death - poor man.
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Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:31,
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Was reading a bookabout logic had a bit about Turing in... sort of interesting.. I guess you learn a lot about that thing if you do Computer Science at Uni...
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Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:32,
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I hope you do!I didn't, so I wouldn't know.
Turing is a hero. If any single person can be credited with inventing the modern programmable computer, it's him. As pointed out above, a much hounded and persecuted man. And because the work at Bletchley Park, including the invention of Collosus, was classified war stuff, other people got the credit for building the first computer for over 50 years, until the classification was lifted. Rough deal for all concerned. Probably the single most important technological innovation of the century, and they couldn't even say "er... we did that years before them!".
(Turing is a hero. If any single person can be credited with inventing the modern programmable computer, it's him. As pointed out above, a much hounded and persecuted man. And because the work at Bletchley Park, including the invention of Collosus, was classified war stuff, other people got the credit for building the first computer for over 50 years, until the classification was lifted. Rough deal for all concerned. Probably the single most important technological innovation of the century, and they couldn't even say "er... we did that years before them!".
chaotic_illuminator proud spacehopperist,
Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:36,
archived)
sounds like a v.Clever man :pI am starting my course at UnI in CS after this GAP year I am taking.... Really looking forward to it.... should learn lots of interesting things...
Think I might get some books bout turing from the library :P tnx..
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Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:40,
archived)
Think I might get some books bout turing from the library :P tnx..
Read the real history.......but also read Neal Stephenson's wonderful wonderful novel "The Cryptonomicon", which is fiction, but has some real people in, including Turing. I won't say any more - don't want to spoil it. It will blow you away.
( chaotic_illuminator proud spacehopperist,
Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:42,
archived)
If you're into computer-related sci-fi,Vernor Vinge has also written a novel called A Fire Upon The Deep, which is also mind-bogglingly good.
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Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:48,
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hehe tnxI was trying to think of some more authors to read.... just been re-reading some Arthur C Clarke - The city and the stars :P..
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Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:49,
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read the Cryptonomicon ASAP!!!I can't recommend it highly enough. Gripping, ambitious, wide-ranging, action-packed, but all about big big ideas. Fucking awesome.
( chaotic_illuminator proud spacehopperist,
Sun 17 Nov 2002, 0:51,
archived)