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)

One of Audible's Best

Everyone can relate to this book because it tries to explain the activity of the brain in our moment-to-moment existence. You may find yourself paying closer attention to everything you do (and especially everything you think) while absorbing the author's explanation of how you are doing it. Hawkins' theory is insightful, convincing, and even surprising. Just as remarkable, it is easily understood by persons with little background in the field. The book is also well narrated, though if your player allows you to, I personally recommend playback at 110% speed to make the voice sound more normal (I think Audible purposely reduced the speed to make the book more digestible). The author went to some lengths to make the book as enjoyable as possible for Audible customers, narrating the preface himself and verbally explaining some of the book's illustrations. These illustrations are available for download at Audible from the book's summary page and I highly recommend that you take advantage of them. Don't let the plain title and cover art deter you--this is one of the best nonfiction books at Audible.com.

Life changing insight

Brilliant, clear and simple. It is amazing how no one had figured out this model before Jeff Hawkins. But I guess all great theories seem always obvious in hindsight. The Hierarchy Temporal Memory model makes so much sense.

Over my head

This is probably really a good book for someone who is really interested in this
stuff. It was for the most part, over my head. I cant say there is anything wrong with
the book, it's just I didnt really understand it.

A little dated but with listening to

It is important to remember when the book was written. Some things have changed since the book was first published. The authors have done a great job in making sure the technical material in this book is understandable to general audiences. The content is insightful. I found I was leaning new things even though I have read other books on the topic before. I am glad I chose to listen to this book.

Greatbook

Very interesting theory, IT has given me a much deep understating about AI And raíse Many question to which ill be doing further research.