See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Digital Biology: A New Kind of Nature
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Digital Biology: A New Kind of Nature (Hardcover)

by Peter Bentley (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


9 used from £1.37

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

  (What is this?)
A chemist's choice
   www.nature.com/chemistschoice    Informed comment on the hottest papers in chemistry, from Nature 
Learn Biology in 24 Hours
   RapidLearningCenter.com/biology    Master Biology Visually and Rapidly Breakthrough Rapid Learning System. 
  
 

Product details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (3 May 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 074727021X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747270218
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,154,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Product Description
Imagine a future world where computers can create universes - digital environments made from binary ones and zeros. Imagine that within these universes there exist biological forms that reproduce, grow and think. Imagine plant-like forms, ant colonies, immune systems and brains, all adapting, evolving and getting better at solving problems. Imagine if our computers became greenhouses for a new kind of nature. Just think what digital biology could do for us. Perhaps it could evolve new designs for us, think up ways to detect fraud using digital neurons, or solve scheduling problems with ants. Perhaps it could create music from the patterns of growth of digital seashells, or allow computers to become creative and inventive. Now stop imagining...

About the Author
Peter Bentley is a research fellow at UCL and and the founder of the growing field of Creative Evolutionary Design. He regularly speaks to international audiences of academics, government officials and businessmen, and his work on using computers to evolve music is being filmed for a television documentary.

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Clear and easy to read, and fascinating in parts, 4 Oct 2001
By A Customer
I was a little dissappointed by the first sections in this book, which I found rather simplistic, but that might be because I have read other books about neural networks and evolutionary programming - if I hadn't, this would be a great introduction. Where the book really shines for me is the section on artificial immunity, which is a whole new way of making learning, adapting machines, which was a revelation to me.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A well written book that's easy to read., 30 Jul 2001
By A Customer
Digital Biology is interesting and enjoyable. It shines a whole new light on what our computers can do for us and shows how useful nature can be in our constantly changing technological world. Although this book talks about evolution, plants, immune systems and robots, what appealed to me most was how easy it was to read and understand. I found the chapter on immune systems to be particularly interesting!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read it!, 29 Oct 2001
By A Customer
Although a member of the older generation I like to keep in touch with current research and thinking. Peter Bently writes well, with a touch of humour, and gets his points across clearly. Digital Biology is very readable and he has obviously done his "homework" whilst writing it. I have now added a copy to my library and strongly recommend it.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
This is an excellent introduction to bio-inspired technologies and particularly evolutionary computing. It is well written, fun and easy to read. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2007 by Hooman

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to AI
Digital Biology is an excellent introduction to AI and described in a very practical way ideas behind the different techniques used in the field. Read more
Published on 17 May 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Patronising but fun
I very nearly put this book down after the first few pages - I found the author's style patronising and slow - however, I perservered and after the first few chapters, really... Read more
Published on 6 May 2003

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]

   

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

More From Peter Bentley

Creative Evolutionary Systems

Creative Evolutionary Systems

This volume shows the current state of the art... it's intriguing... Read more
£59.85

 

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver
Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

›Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates