DICTIONARIES · AMERICAN
Emmanuel S. Nelson
Also known as: Emmanuel Nelson
There ain't no answer.
— from Connections
Most acclaimed
Connections
Product Description This book uses the primary tools of forecasting and three archetypal patterns of discovery to discern relationships of past scientific developments and synthesize a cohesive and compelling vision for the future. It challenges readers to think of the consequences of extrapolating trends, such as Moore's Law, to either reach real machine intelligence or retrench in the face of physical limitations. From this perspective, the book draws "the big picture" for the Information Revolution's innovations in chips, devices, software, and networks. From the Back Cover "In their fascinating analysis of the recent history of information technology, H. Peter Alesso and Craig F. Smith reveal the patterns in discovery and innovation that have brought us to the present tipping point. . . . A generation from now, every individual will have personally tailored access to the whole of knowledge . . . the sooner we all begin to think about how we got here, and where we're going, the better. This exciting book is an essential first step." —From the Foreword by James Burke Many people envision scientists as dispassionate characters who slavishly repeat experiments until "eureka"—something unexpected happens. Actually, there is a great deal more to the story of scientific discovery, but seeing "the big picture" is not easy. Connections: Patterns of Discovery uses the primary tools of forecasting and three archetypal patterns of discovery—Serendipity, Proof of Principle, and 1% Inspiration and 99% Perspiration—to discern relationships of past developments and synthesize a cohesive and compelling vision for the future. It challenges readers to think of the consequences of extrapolating trends, such as Moore's Law, to either reach real machine intelligence or retrench in the face of physical limitations. From this perspective,the book draws "the big picture" for the Information Revolution's innovations in chips, devices, software, and networks. With a Foreword by James Burke and bursting with fascinating detail throughout, Connections: Patterns of Discovery is a must-read for computer scientists, technologists, programmers, hardware and software developers, students, and anyone with an interest in tech-savvy topics.
Contemporary Gay American Poets and Playwrights
2003
Thirty-eight American scholars, poets, authors, and librarians contribute to this reference volume documenting the lives and works, and celebrating the collective achievement, of 62 gay male poets and playwrights in the U.S. Each of the alphabetically arranged entries includes a biography, discussion of major works and themes, an overview of the author's critical reception, and primary and secondary bibliographies. The featured artists include authors from diverse geographic locations and ethnic groups, well-known authors such as Edward Albee, Harvey Fierstein, Allen Ginsberg, Tony Kushner, James Merrill, and Terrence McNally, as well as lesser-known writers, those who came of age in the post- Stonewall U.S., and older authors whose works span several decades.