Home Books 12 Bytes: How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next

12 Bytes: How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next

12 Bytes: How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next

by Jeanette Winterson

Grove Press ·2021 ·324 pages
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Bottom of the Pile
I Index
22/99
Bottom of the Pile

8/99

Critics' Rating Index

Maybe Someday

36/99

Readers' Rating Index

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Scholars' Citation Index

77/99

Volume of Reviews

58/99

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About This Book

Twelve eye-opening, mind-expanding, funny and provocative essays on the implications of artificial intelligence for the way we live and the way we love from New York Times bestselling author Jeanette Winterson "Talky, smart, anarchic and quite sexy," said Dwight Garner in the New York Times about Jeanette Winterson's latest novel, Frankissstein, which perfectly describes too this new collection of essays on the same subject of AI. In 12 Bytes, the New York Times bestselling author of Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal? Jeanette Winterson, draws on her years of thinking and reading about artificial intelligence in all its bewildering manifestations. In her brilliant, laser focused, uniquely pointed and witty style of story-telling, Winterson looks to history, religion, myth, literature, the politics of race and gender, and computer science, to help us understand the radical changes to the way we live and love that are happening now. When we create non-biological life-forms, will we do so in our image? Or will we accept the once-in-a-species opportunity to remake ourselves in their image? What do love, caring, sex, and attachment look like when humans form connections with non-human helpers, teachers, sex-workers, and companions? And what will happen to our deep-rooted assumptions about gender? Will the physical body that is our home soon be enhanced by biological and neural implants, keeping us fitter, younger, and connected? Is it time to join Elon Musk and leave Planet Earth? With wit, compassion and curiosity, Winterson tackles AI's most fascinating talking points, from the algorithms that data-dossier your whole life to the weirdness of backing up your brain.


Reviews

"This is full of insight."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Near the Top

"That's right: in this book that seriously asks whether robots will be able to empathise, there is no discussion of the nature of consciousness as it relates to AI."

Claire Lowdon· The Times (UK) Read review ↗ Bottom of the Pile

"in a time of gross global inequality, democratic erosion, noxious misinformation and lawless tech behemoths, these hopes don't just feel naive but counterproductive ..."

Beejay Silcox· Times Literary Supplement Read review ↗ Bottom of the Pile

"There is a strong feminist slant here ..."

Laura Spinney· The Guardian Read review ↗ Near the Top

"We're happy to have them as long as we can figure out that there is room for all of us on this planet—and that tech can help us save this place and undo some of man's weightiest crimes without adding more to the mix."

Jana Siciliano· Bookreporter Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Hopefully the people building these new brains will take a look at it, too."

The Evening Standard Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Tucked into the corners of these erudite essays are multitudes of fascinating facts and thoughtful what-if speculations."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

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