On Intelligence

By: Jeff Hawkins, Sandra Blakeslee

Narrated by: Jeff Hawkins, Stefan Rudnicki

Jeff Hawkins, the man who created the PalmPilot, Treo smart phone, and other handheld devices, has reshaped our relationship to computers. Now he stands ready to revolutionize both neuroscience and computing in one stroke, with a new understanding of intelligence itself.

Hawkins develops a powerful theory of how the human brain works, explaining why computers are not intelligent and how, based on this new theory, we can finally build intelligent machines.

The brain is not a computer, but a memory system that stores experiences in a way that reflects the true structure of the world, remembering sequences of events and their nested relationships and making predictions based on those memories. It is this memory-prediction system that forms the basis of intelligence, perception, creativity, and even consciousness.

In an engaging style that will captivate audiences from the merely curious to the professional scientist, Hawkins shows how a clear understanding of how the brain works will make it possible for us to build intelligent machines, in silicon, that will exceed our human ability in surprising ways.

Written with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, On Intelligence promises to completely transfigure the possibilities of the technology age. It is a landmark book in its scope and clarity.

Download the accompanying booklet of brain function illustrations, examples, and tests.©2004 Jeff Hawkins and Sandra Blakeslee (P)2005 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Hawkins's] argument is complex but comprehensible, and his curiosity will intrigue anyone interested in the lessons neurobiology may hold for AI." (Booklist)
"[Hawkins] fully anticipates, even welcomes, the controversy he may provoke within the scientific community and admits that he might be wrong, even as he offers a checklist of potential discoveries that could prove him right. His engaging speculations are sure to win fans." (Publishers Weekly)

Stick to the science!!

Any additional comments?

I really did enjoy this book. Very interesting. The only thing that is so irritating is the hogwash about evolution. It is presented as a fact, and used as if it is understood so well, that one could base scientific conclusions on it! NONSENSE!! Just stick to what is actually proven and tested, and the book would have been a 5 star for me. Fine, don't bring God into it if you don't want to.. just leave the fairy tail of pure chance out as well

well reasoned presentation

an electronic brain may be possible but only if the structure of the organic brain is implemented. thus far computers are faster and more accurate at following algorithms but that is not how the brain operates. this book gives a good presentation of how the author believes the brain to function.

the brain

As jeff mention on the epilogue, yes you do find yourself thinking as why or how your brain reacts or response the way it does to particular inputs. this a fascinating read so naturally i highly recommend it.

I found the narrator's voice both soothing & coherently relaxing to go about the book. the voice is just perfect match to my ears as i dove in to the book (well more like he dove in i listen).

Fascinating!!

Thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening for a lay person who knows nothing of brain science. The narration was extremely ‘listenable’ and pleasant. Some sections in the early second half become a bit hard to follow without the visual diagrams referenced - which exist in the printed text. Overall a great listen if this topic is of interest to you!

intriguing

Interesting subject and good presentation. I gained a whole new understanding of our mind and the quest for AI.

It has been the topic of many interesting conversations since I read this book.

It is well read.