This book is an excellent account of the digital revolution from the early days of Babbage and Ada Lovelace to the present day. Throughout its pages runs the conviction that the days of the lonely inventor are over: advances now require a combination of skills including creativity, entrepreneurialism as well as managerial skills that are rarely if ever present in a single individual. This book also features insights on the present and future of the digital revolution and the symbiotic relationship between computers and humans. The discussion on artificial intelligence does its best to avoid oversimplifying the obstacles to achieve the dream of a computer capable of passing the Touring test. In describing one of the characters and the online exhibitionism of his obsessions, the book includes an unpleasant passage.
R.A. (United States, 2016)