To See a World in a Grain of Sand: Fifteen Ways to Look at a Computer
By Linda Liukas
Renowned Finnish author and programming instructor Linda Liukas unravels the human stories behind computers - from the first line of code to the birth of the bit - revealing how these breakthroughs shaped our world and where technology is taking us next.
What do a British society lady in 1843 and a juggling mathematician some hundred years later have in common? The former wrote the first line of code, and the latter invented the bit - both crucial components of the machine that would change the world.
Taking the reader on a journey across a fascinating map of computer science, Linda Liukas’ book takes a panoramic route to the present day, stopping at fascinating human events and revolutionary ideas. At the same time, it takes an insightful look at the impact of technology on our lives and reflects on where the computer is heading next - and us with it.
PART 1: Theoretical data processing i.e.my journey to the heart of thinking.
1. Whose child is the computer?
2. Turing’s verbs
3. Shannon’s nouns
4. Lovelace’s poetry measure
5. Von Neumann’s dictionary
PART 2: Computer systems, or diving into computer structures
6. The coding chain
7. A world in a grain of sand
8. The importance of forgetting
9. The last magician
10. Where savages lurk
11. How to keep a secret
PART 3: Power: Big arcs on a map
12. It opens up with a smile
13. How to grow a neural network
14. Unusual computers
15. An electricity that loves
Publishing information
Rights sold
- Italian
Reviews
“Now that computers, algorithms, and information networks are a big part of everyone's daily life, it would be wise to have at least some basic understanding of what it's all about. This book is an excellent work that increases everyone's understanding. Liukas writes in an engaging and enjoyable style. In places, the issues are explained in great detail, without giving the reader the feeling of being underestimated. The book also does not resort to pandering to readers by oversimplifying, but instead focuses on the core of the subject matter throughout.”
“In this fascinating and educational book, Linda recounts her journey with computers and data processing in the first person, while also reviewing the development of computers and the people and ideas behind them. In addition to purely technological developments, the book considers, for example, how beauty and aesthetics are expressed in technology and programming, and the importance of curiosity in development and learning. Towards the end of the book, we follow the exciting parallel development of Linda's baby and artificial intelligence.”
"To an average person like me, computer science (or computer engineering in general) seems dauntingly technical and inaccessible.(...)Linda Liukas' To See a World in a Grain of Sand is for people like me. The book is about what computer science really is, but from an unusual perspective. It examines it through human stories and experiences, which may sound unusual, but I will come back to the genius of the approach later.(...) However, Liukas manages to capture a broader perspective in his book, which makes the reading experience even philosophical in places. A great work, especially for people who are not technology wunderkinds.”
"Over the years and decades, I have read many books on IT, but nothing like this book by Liukas. The book combines humanistic thinking with technology, as well as its meaning and implications, in a fluent yet thought-provoking way. No background in technology or programming is needed to read the book, perhaps more a curious mind, plenty of curiosity and an open mind. (...) If you’re deeply familiar with computers, read this book — you’ll see things in new ways. If you’re not, and don’t care to be, read this book anyway.”
“Liukas moves from algorithms to mycelium, walks through the who’s who of computing, visits museums and factories, flâneurs in Paris, and traces the growth of an AI alongside a human child. She’s a darn good writer. Her sentences flow and sing. She makes technology feel. (...) Liukas knows how to imagine and be curious. This makes the style of the book approachable and interesting. In this book, we are on a journey of discovery together, although Liukas undeniably leads and coaxes us forward skilfully along the path. She interprets a star map for the reader and tells a narrative about it."
