Man vs. Machine Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. It may sound quaint today, but not so long ago, computers battled humans for supremacy at the game of chess. The challenge of building a computer program capable of defeating the best of human-kind at chess was one of the original grand challenges of the fledgling field of artificial intelligence. On one side were dedicated scientists and hobbyists who invested decades of effort developing the software and hardware technology; on the other side were incredibly talented humans with only their determination and preparation to withstand the onslaught of technology. The man versus machine battle in chess is a landmark in the history of technology. There are numerous books that document the technical aspects of this epic story. The human side is not often told. Few chess players are inclined to write about their man-machine encounters, other than annotating the games played. This book brings the two sides together. It tells the stories of many of the key scientists and chess players that participated in a 50-year research project to advance the understanding of computing technology. “Grandmaster Karsten Müller and Professor Jonathan Schaeffer have managed to describe the fascinating history of the unequal fight of man against machine in an entertaining and instructive way. It evoked pleasant and not so pleasant memories of my own fights against the monsters. I hope that their work gives you as much pleasure as it has given me.” – From the Foreword by Vladimir Kramnik, 14th World Chess Champion

Fifteen original tales envision ever-more sophisticated technology-and the repercussions on humankind... As our world and daily lives become more and more involved with and dependent on complex technology, concern over what the future holds increases. If computers develop genuine Artificial Intelligence will they still willingly serve humankind? If the machines rebel, can we shut them down? And what kind of world would we be left with if we did? These are just a few of the questions explored in fifteen brand-new stories by some of science fiction's most visionary minds-inventive and cautionary tales about some of the futures we may be building for ourselves right now.

One of these days, I'm going to sit down and write that novel.... Everyone thinks about doing it, yet most people who do start a novel end up stalling after a few chapters. Where do these would-be novelists go wrong? Are the characters dull and cliched? Did the story arc collapse? Did they succumb to a dreaded bout of "writer's block"? Or maybe it was all just taking too long? These problems used to stop writers in their tracks, but nothing will get in your way after reading Write Your Novel in a Month. Author and instructor Jeff Gerke has created the perfect tool to show you how to prepare yourself to write your first draft in as little as 30 days. With Jeff's help, you will learn how to organize your ideas, create dynamic stories, develop believable characters, and flesh out the idea narrative for your novel--and not just for the rapid-fire first draft. Jeff walks you through the entire process, from initial idea to the important revision stage, and even explains what to do with your novel once you've finished. Whether you are participating in National Novel Writing Month or you're simply hoping to complete a draft over winter break or your vacation, this book covers the entire scope of writing a novel and lays out exactly what you need to know to get it done fast and right.

Medical and Biological Problems of Space Flight covers the proceedings of the conference held in Nassau, the Bahamas. The book focuses on the biological and medical problems of space flight, as well as advanced manned space systems, cardiovascular adaptability, weightlessness, and remote visual monitoring. The selection first offers information on the development of manned space vehicles and advanced manned space systems, including manned satellite and space stations, safety considerations, and man-machine aspects. The book also takes a look at Marsflight II space cabin simulator and device for simulating weightlessness. Discussions focus on the psychological aspects of real and simulated weightlessness; physiological effects of real and simulated weightlessness; and critique of simulation excellence. The publication examines maintenance of cardiovascular adaptability during prolonged weightlessness and the physical, biological, and medical aspects of weightlessness. The text then ponders on remote visual monitoring during extended space missions and cosmic ray shower production in manned space vehicles. Topics include electron-proton showers and limitations imposed by communications on transmission of pictorial information from a space vehicle. The selection is a valuable reference for readers interested in the medical and biological problems of space flight.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A powerful collection of the influential columnist’s most important works—featuring rare speeches, a major essay about today’s populist movements and the future of global democracy, and a new preface by the author’s son, Daniel Krauthammer “Charles will be remembered as one of the greatest public intellects of his generation.”—John McCain In his decades of work as America’s preeminent political commentator, whether writing about statecraft and foreign policy or reflecting on more esoteric topics such as baseball, spaceflight and medical ethics, Charles Krauthammer elevated the opinion column to a form of art. This collection features the columns, speeches and unpublished writings that showcase the best of his original thought and his last, enduring words on the state of American politics, the nature of liberal democracy and the course of world history. The book also includes a deeply personal section offering insight into Krauthammer’s beliefs about what mattered most to him: friendship, family and the principles he lived by. The Point of It All is a timely demonstration of what made Charles Krauthammer the most celebrated American columnist and political thinker of his generation, a revealing look at the man behind the words and a lasting testament to his belief that anyone with an open and honest mind can grapple deeply with the most urgent questions in politics and in life.

The Krypto Economy elaborates on the underlying dynamics of our digital era to better create a responsible technological future. Living in a world of exponential technological advancement, we have new construction kits to create and probe possible realities. Marshall McLuan once said that first we build the tools and then the tools build us. We are designed by what we have designed. To design a utopian rather than dystopian future, we took a closer look at the status and potentials of our technological tools. Over a series of seven panel discussions — using some of the most analytical and imaginative minds — we experienced that today's digital instruments are our ultimate Kryptonite. Its benefits have the capacity to aid us exponentially. And yet, its destructive powers — mass surveillance, elimination of privacy, or virtual concentration of power — could push us down a terrifying path. With this book you can join the discourse and find the answers to the most fundamental questions to better navigate towards a responsible technological future.

Early American folktales demonstrate the ambitions and values of the first settlers in the United States, including bravery, honesty, and a pioneering spirit. These legends, tall tales, and fairytales also introduced beloved figures like Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan. This book explains the traditions of storytelling that are uniquely American and describes how historical events shaped the stories we still tell in modern day.

This handbook represents a collection of previously published technical journal articles of the highest caliber originating from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The collection will help promote and affirm the leading-edge technical publications that have emanated from AFIT, for the first time presented as a cohesive collection. In its over 100 years of existence, AFIT has produced the best technical minds for national defense and has contributed to the advancement of science and technology through technology transfer throughout the nation. This handbook fills the need to share the outputs of AFIT that can guide further advancement of technical areas that include cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, machine learning, additive manufacturing, 5G technology, navigational tools, advanced materials, energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, the internet of things, data analytics, systems of systems, modeling & simulation, aerospace product development, virtual reality, resource optimization, and operations management. There is a limitless vector to how AFIT’s technical contributions can impact the society. Handbook of Scholarly Publications from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Volume 1, 2000-2020, is a great reference for students, teachers, researchers, consultants, and practitioners in broad spheres of engineering, business, industry, academia, the military, and government.

As a versatile and creative thinker, Oswald Wiener (1935—2021) developed from an artist into a researcher out of sheer necessity. At the end of his life he emphasized: ”I do not aim at a synthesis of introspection and automata theory but rather at contrasting them. Which relationships identified in introspection can — in a fairly satisfactory way — be understood as realizations of relationships within a formal system, e.g., the formal system of automata theory. Or the other way around: How well does automata theory as a model (i.e., the computer as mental metaphor, 'Physical Symbol Systems,' today's Artificial Intelligence ...) capture essential features of human thought? What does 'in a fairly satisfactory way' mean in this context? What, and how strongly, does the formal system abstract from natural processes?“ In this book, three conversations with Wiener about the development of his theory and four essays introduce and elaborate on this new ap proach to the theory of thought, which has previously received too little attention in academic discourse. A pivotal role is played by Wiener's last major essay ”Cybernetics and Ghosts.“