The Wall Street Journal’s July 16, 2010 edition has a review by Jamie Hamilton, “The Lessons of Living Things–How the processes of biology are guiding computer design and purpose,” of the intriguing new book, Natural Computing: DNA, Quantum Bits, and the Future of Smart Machines, by Dennis Shasha and Cathy Lazere:
[The authors profile] scientists who are pushing computer science beyond traditional boundaries. In particular, the scientists are trespassing into the realms of biology and physics and attempting to create computer designs and functions that will imitate organic reality.
The research described in the review suggests some of the great technological advances that lie ahead. These hold the potential to radically improve productivity and health.
It is ironic that, in a time of great scientific progress, many governments prey on their citizens by exploiting economic myths that were exposed decades and centuries ago, myths generally believed by the public and unchallenged by the media. Science, while sometimes distorted by politics, is still subject to rigorous standards of proof. Most of the claims of politicians—based on ignorance and dishonesty–cannot survive this level of scrutiny.
Continuing scientific advances offer the prospect for societies to grow and prosper beyond their dreams. The societies that achieve this will be those with free economies and free speech, allowing free people to fund, advance, and utilize scientific research.
