Computation, Bayesian Model Selection, Interactive Articles

In 'A Fire Upon the Deep', Vernor Vinge explores a vast universe divided into 'zones of thought' where the potential of intelligent life varies greatly. The story begins with a human expedition that awakens a destructive artificial intelligence, the Blight, which threatens to destroy entire civilizations. Two children, Jefri and Johanna Olsndot, escape the initial destruction but are captured by the Tines, an intelligent dog-like alien species with a hive mind. Meanwhile, Ravna Bergsndot, an intergalactic librarian, and her companions embark on a perilous rescue mission to save the children and recover an artifact that could stop the Blight. The novel is renowned for its complex world-building, unique alien cultures, and blend of hard science fiction and high drama.

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

Bayesian Data Analysis, Third Edition, is widely regarded as the leading text on Bayesian methods. It offers an applied approach to data analysis, introducing basic concepts from a data-analytic perspective before presenting advanced methods. The book includes numerous worked examples from real applications and research, emphasizing the practical use of Bayesian inference. New to this edition are chapters on nonparametric modeling, weakly informative priors, and advanced computational methods like Hamiltonian Monte Carlo.

This book provides a clear and thorough introduction to the fundamental concepts of theoretical computer science. It covers topics such as regular languages, automata theory, Turing machines, decidability, and computational complexity. The book is known for its accessible style, innovative 'proof idea' sections, and extensive problem sets. It is highly recommended for students and professionals in the field of computer science due to its clarity, thorough coverage, and practical examples.