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Turing's Cathedral
464 pages, 2012
In 1936, twenty-four-year-old Alan Turing announced that it was possible to invent the single machine that could be used to compute any computable sequence. In Turing’s Cathedral, George Dyson focuses on a small group of scientists led by John von Neumann at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey—who built one of the first computers to realize Alan Turing's vision of a 'Universal Machine.'
Their work would break the distinction between numbers that mean things and numbers that do things—and our universe would never be the same. Using five kilobytes of memory (the amount allocated to displaying the cursor on a computer desktop of today), they achieved unprecedented success in both weather prediction and nuclear weapons design, while tackling problems ranging from the evolution of viruses to the evolution of stars in their spare time.
In Turing's Cathedral, George Dyson explores the origins of the digital universe. He takes us back to the 1940s and 1950s, when a group of scientists and mathematicians, led by John von Neumann, built the first modern computers. This is a fascinating look into the birth of the digital age.
Dyson explains how the binary code, a system of ones and zeros, became the universal language of computers. This simple yet powerful system is the foundation of all digital technology. It's amazing to see how this code has transformed our world.
The book shows us how the digital revolution has changed every aspect of our lives, from communication and entertainment to business and science. It's a reminder of how much we owe to the pioneers of computing.
While the book is about technology, it's also about the people who created it. Dyson gives us a glimpse into the lives of these brilliant minds, their struggles, and their triumphs. It's a human story as much as a technological one.
Turing's Cathedral doesn't just look at the past, it also looks at the future. Dyson discusses the potential of artificial intelligence and the ethical questions it raises. This book will make you think about where technology is taking us.
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A fascinating exploration of the history of computing, centered on the pioneering work of John von Neumann and his colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-founderA monumental work, which presents the history of computing from a fresh and provocative perspective.
Freeman Dyson - Theoretical PhysicistA riveting and insightful narrative that makes the history of computing come alive.
Walter Isaacson - Biographer, JournalistRecommendations
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Turing's Cathedral found in libraries
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