On Intelligence

By: Jeff Hawkins, Sandra Blakeslee

Narrated by: Jeff Hawkins, Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

An important part of any syllabus on AI and ML

It's always wonderful when top level experts are able to provide explanations on highly complex topics in ways that much less educated people can understand and appreciate. This book is one such example.

Incredibly interesting.

Extremely sensible and concise view on intelligence. I can't believe I'm just hearing about it now. I would be very surprised if our accurate theory of intelligence in the future didn't sound at least similar to this.

In depth analysis and theory of how the neocortex works

If you're interested in intelligent machines, how they might work and what that could mean for our future, you should read this book. He gives some fascinating input on the brain and how we think. He proposes that the neocortex operates off of a single flexible and robust algorithm and theorizes ways in which that algorithm might work.

Incredible

Hawkins satisfied my deepest curiosity about how the brain actually does its job!

An intelligent book

This is a very intelligently written book and it makes sense. It appears to be rooted in empirical studies and serious scientific theorizing. I expected it to be just one more unbased set of ponderings of a rich entrepreneur - but apparently, he really did seriously study this matter and think about it, I am surprised at the quality of this book. Hoghly recommend to all who are interested in such things.

Interesting Introduction to a Fascinating Field

This is, all and all, a pretty solid book, particularly if you already have some interest in the field. It explains both current state of modern neuroscience as well as the author's theory of the basis for intelligence. If you are interested in this topic it's probably worth the download. You will have to put up with a few minor irritations, such as (1) the author's ego occasionally bleeds through with little snotty asides. He's fairly arrogant and quickly dismissive of alternative views, (2) his theory seems internally consistent but is ultimately a little reductionist. The brain almost certainly does work, at some level, just as he describes it. But when he pushes the model into describing the creative process, the basis of consciousness and some other areas, it feels a little thin. It's an engineer's view of the essence of these aspects of human behavior, overly wedded to a simplistic structure, ignoring nuances which are clearly important. (3) There is one chapter in the book which doesn't translate into a book tape very well, because it's fairly technical and relies on diagrams. But even if you don't entirely drink his Kool-Aid, this is still an interesting, thought-provoking way to spend a few hours.

Captures the Imagination

Having listened to many non-fiction Audible books, some good, some mediocre, this was my first listening experience that literally captured my imagination. As a result I found it rather difficult to stop listening and attend to my daily chores. I've struggled for many years to understand the mechanics of what brains do with very little success. As Jeff began to lay out his framework my own brain was firing patterns of YES, YES, YES! I began to experience the very rare and pleasant sensations that occur when getting a first glimpse of a puzzle solution. There's nothing like it in the world! This will be the first audible book that I feel compelled to purchase in hard copy. I'm glad I listened first; it's the perfect format for experiencing the marvelous fun in thinking about thinking and the profound joy in gaining understanding about understanding.

Of course, I can't guarantee that you'll experience anything similar to what I've described. I can guarantee that Jeff will provide you with a fascinating and powerful framework by which some surprising clarity can replace the murky waters of notions like "intelligence", "understanding", and "reality".

It changed my life!

Often, we will jokingly say one thing or another "changed our life". Sometimes we say it with real meaning attached when an event or experience actually does impact us profoundly. This is one of those cases. I wouldn't presume to scientifically review this book. I don't have any background or foundation for doing that. I can, however, tell you, that like Dr. Hawkins (and I'm just going to assume he has that title... and if not... watch as the best Universities start clamouring to award him that honorarium, and adjunct him to their faculties), I have always had an abiding interest in how the brain works. However, nothing ever illuminated how it actually functions. Not until now. This book starts out with a clear intention to explain this core mystery... and delivers on the promise. It's not so much a mystery any more.

On Intelligence describes the indescribable in ways that any reader can relate to immediately. Dr. Hawkins provides analogies and constructs for his ideas that will give you one aha! moment after another. He describes unseeable processes in ways that will make you feel he has experienced the same things you have. You will find yourself mentally agreeing with him over and over, saying to yourself "That's right... that's right..." in much the same way you find yourself laughing when Bill Cosby tells a joke. His approach and examples are simply so universal, one can't help but see his points clearly. What I'm finding best about this, though, is not the fact that I understood them, but that I immediately internalized them and started using these new found concepts to my advantage.

I wasn't joking, this book has changed my life. It is unfortunate, but during the past five years (and 7 massive eye surgeries) I have essentially lost my sight completely. There are ideas in this book which make me believe for the first time that my brain may actually be able to decode the calamitous light perception with which I've been left. Read this book!

Informative

While at times it could be, well boring. It was very informative. I would have to say I am glad I listened. The part about patterns just makes sense, to me.

Insightful, Thought-Provoking, Average Narration

I learned a great deal from this book. It richly details the differences between how the human brain works, and traditional approaches to artificial intelligence. It also describes how those working in the field of artificial intelligence might benefit from creating systems that more closely reflect the ways that a human becomes more intelligent.