Robots, Computers, and Artificial People.

MARVIN MINSKY, EDITOR, Robotics (Anchor Press/ Doubleday, 1985)—Minsky has compiled a fascinating collection of chapters on robotics. Our course readings begin with T.A. Heppen- heimer's introductory chapter, "Man Makes Man," a history of robotics that parallels the history of artificial man. With excellent examples from mythology, robotics, and computer science, the chapter is a wonderful overview of the entire course.

MARY SHELLEY, Franken-stein (first published 1818)—The dilemma of the modern researcher creating man is provided in this classic story— one of the first to present the concept of an artificial man in juxtaposition to modern science. More and more experiments in science seem to be close to some of the experiments originally envisioned by Dr. Frankenstein.

JOHN VON NEUMANN, The Brain and the Computer ale University Press, 1958)— This short book lays down the foundation for much of our thinking in artificial intelligence and computers over the past 50 years. Von Neumann contributed so greatly to the design of the modern computer that it is sometimes considered the von Neumann machine. In this book he compares his concept of how the brain works with his initial conceptualization of how the first digital computers worked. In class we have students conduct a similar exercise, comparing their brains to the Macintosh.

WILLIAM GIBSON, Neuromancer (Ace Science Fiction Books, 1984)—A classic about the future of humans. A mixture of virtual reality, artificial parts, and cult literature, the book weaves both present and future science into a compelling story of a future that includes many advances in our design of artificial people. Gibson also for the first time presents a virtual reality environment that people can use as an alternate reality. Many of the concepts of artificial people represented in software derive from this book.

JAMES L. ADAMS, ConceptualBlockbusting; A Guide to BetterIdeas (Addison-Wesley, 1986)— A classic on creative thinking, including using visual, verbal, and mathematical thinking as alternative methods of problem-solving. Our course encourages students to solve problems in an original manner. This books helps them understand the many approaches they can take toward problem-solving in science and other areas of life.

Joseph Rosen