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The Discrete Charm of the Machine: Why the World Became Digital
US $12.91
ApproximatelyS$ 16.87
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Located in: North Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States
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Estimated between Tue, 25 Nov and Wed, 3 Dec
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About this item
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:136567295924
Item specifics
- Condition
- Release Year
- 2021
- Book Title
- The Discrete Charm of the Machine: Why the World Became Digital
- ISBN
- 9780691229027
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Princeton University Press
ISBN-10
0691229023
ISBN-13
9780691229027
eBay Product ID (ePID)
20050078782
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
256 Pages
Publication Name
Discrete Charm of the Machine : Why the World Became Digital
Language
English
Publication Year
2021
Subject
History & Philosophy, Engineering (General), Computer Science, Electronics / General
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Mathematics, Computers, Technology & Engineering
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.5 in
Item Weight
13.7 Oz
Item Length
9.1 in
Item Width
6.7 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
College Audience
TitleLeading
The
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
"This is an engaging and enjoyable book. Readers interested in the differences between analogue and digital approaches to computation and signal processing will not find a better popular treatment." ---Thomas Haigh, Nature Electronics, "Reading this book was a great pleasure and there is lots to be effusive about. . . .this book deserves to be read by everyone interested in, or influenced by, modern digital technologies. When you think about it, this is pretty much everyone. So, in this reviewer's opinion, this book is destined to become a modern classic." ---Rob Ashmore, Mathematics Today, "Computer scientist Steiglitz examines the global transformation from analog to digital and the ways it changed how we calculate, communicate and entertain ourselves. He describes the nuts and bolts of taking something analog, such as waves traveling through the air that make sound, and converting them into 0s and 1s, all in witty and cogent language." ---Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
621.382
Synopsis
The genesis of the digital idea and why it transformed civilizationA few short decades ago, we were informed by the smooth signals of analog television and radio; we communicated using our analog telephones; and we even computed with analog computers. Today our world is digital, built with zeros and ones. Why did this revolution occur? The Disc, A few short decades ago, we were informed by the smooth signals of analog television and radio --we communicated using our analog telephones; and we even computed with analog computers. Today our world is digital, built with zeros and ones. Why did this revolution occur? The Discrete Charm of the Machine explains, in an engaging and accessible manner, the varied physical and logical reasons behind this radical transformation. The spark of individual genius shines through this story of innovation: the stored program of Jacquard's loom; Charles Babbage's logical branching; Alan Turing's brilliant abstraction of the discrete machine; Harry Nyquist's foundation for digital signal processing; Claude Shannon's breakthrough insights into the meaning of information and bandwidth; and Richard Feynman's prescient proposals for nanotechnology and quantum computing. Ken Steiglitz follows the progression of these ideas in the building of our digital world, from the internet and artificial intelligence to the edge of the unknown. Are questions like the famous traveling salesman problem truly beyond the reach of ordinary digital computers? Can quantum computers transcend these barriers?Does a mysterious magical power reside in the analog mechanisms of the brain? Steiglitz concludes by confronting the moral and aesthetic questions raised by the development of artificial intelligence and autonomous robots. The Discrete Charm of the Machine examines why our information technology, the lifeblood of our civilisation, became digital, and challenges us to think about where its future trajectory may lead., The genesis of the digital idea and why it transformed civilization A few short decades ago, we were informed by the smooth signals of analog television and radio; we communicated using our analog telephones; and we even computed with analog computers. Today our world is digital, built with zeros and ones. Why did this revolution occur? The Discrete Charm of the Machine explains, in an engaging and accessible manner, the varied physical and logical reasons behind this radical transformation. The spark of individual genius shines through this story of innovation: the stored program of Jacquard's loom; Charles Babbage's logical branching; Alan Turing's brilliant abstraction of the discrete machine; Harry Nyquist's foundation for digital signal processing; Claude Shannon's breakthrough insights into the meaning of information and bandwidth; and Richard Feynman's prescient proposals for nanotechnology and quantum computing. Ken Steiglitz follows the progression of these ideas in the building of our digital world, from the internet and artificial intelligence to the edge of the unknown. Are questions like the famous traveling salesman problem truly beyond the reach of ordinary digital computers? Can quantum computers transcend these barriers? Does a mysterious magical power reside in the analog mechanisms of the brain? Steiglitz concludes by confronting the moral and aesthetic questions raised by the development of artificial intelligence and autonomous robots. The Discrete Charm of the Machine examines why our information technology, the lifeblood of our civilization, became digital, and challenges us to think about where its future trajectory may lead.
LC Classification Number
TK5103.7
Item description from the seller
Seller feedback (102,938)
- 7***c (413)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseI got 4 books from this seller. One was wrong book (same writer,simular covers) which,when you order used books several at a time from big used book warehouses, this happens every now and then. Seller contacted me and refunded within a couple hours on the same business day. These people do business right.The 3 others were just as described, packed perfect. Shipping was on time. Good books at good price and a seller who does business right. I highly recommend this seller and the items I ordered.Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 4-6 (Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1) (#136250482721)
- c***m (448)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!Jesse Livermore: World's Greatest Stock Trader (#146613728980)
- a***a (190)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseBook was priced well and arrived in condition described. My only complaint is it was shipped in a very thin plastic mailer, and one corner of the cover and several pages were scuffed and curled as a result. I would have appreciated the seller either using a thicker mailer or doubling the thin mailer to protect my purchase, as I've had other sellers do.
Seller feedback (102,938)
- 7***c (413)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseI got 4 books from this seller. One was wrong book (same writer,simular covers) which,when you order used books several at a time from big used book warehouses, this happens every now and then. Seller contacted me and refunded within a couple hours on the same business day. These people do business right.The 3 others were just as described, packed perfect. Shipping was on time. Good books at good price and a seller who does business right. I highly recommend this seller and the items I ordered.Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 4-6 (Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1) (#136250482721)
- c***m (448)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!Jesse Livermore: World's Greatest Stock Trader (#146613728980)
- a***a (190)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseBook was priced well and arrived in condition described. My only complaint is it was shipped in a very thin plastic mailer, and one corner of the cover and several pages were scuffed and curled as a result. I would have appreciated the seller either using a thicker mailer or doubling the thin mailer to protect my purchase, as I've had other sellers do.