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The Demon in the Machine
How Hidden Webs of Information Are Finally Solving the Mystery of Life
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Description
An astonishing new contribution to our ongoing quest for the secret of life itself
When Darwin set out to explain the origin of species, he made no attempt to answer the deeper question: what is life?
For generations, scientists have struggled to make sense of this fundamental question. Life really does look like magic—even a humble bacterium accomplishes things so dazzling that no human engineer can match it. And yet, huge advances in molecular biology over the past few decades have served only to deepen the mystery. So can life be explained by known physics and chemistry, or do we need something fundamentally new?
In this penetrating and wide-ranging new analysis, world-renowned physicist and science communicator Paul Davies searches for answers in a field so new and fast-moving that it lacks a name, a domain where computing, chemistry, quantum physics and nanotechnology intersect. At the heart of these diverse fields, Davies explains, is the concept of information—a quantity with the power to unify biology with physics, transform technology and medicine, and even to illuminate the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe.
From life's murky origins to the microscopic engines that run the cells of our bodies, The Demon in the Machine is a breath-taking journey across the landscape of physics, biology, logic and computing. Weaving together cancer and consciousness, two-headed worms and bird navigation, Davies reveals how biological organisms garner and process information to conjure order out of chaos, opening a window on the secret of life itself.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviewers have praised The Demon in the Machine by Paul Davies for its innovative exploration of the role of information in distinguishing life from non-life, with reviewers highlighting Davies' clarity, engaging writing, and deep insights. The book is noted for its ambitious attempt to unite physics, biology, and computation through the concept of information, offering a fresh perspective on life's fundamental nature. Critics commend Davies for his ability to illuminate complex topics without jargon, making the book both accessible and thought-provoking to a broad audience interested in the profound questions about life and the universe.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141986401
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 January 2020
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 16.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 203g
Pages: 272
About the Author
Paul Davies is a Regents' Professor of Physics and Director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University. The author of some 30 books, his many awards include the Templeton Prize and the Faraday Prize of The Royal Society. He is a Member of the Order of Australia and has an asteroid named after him.
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