Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2022 -

Dietrich (philosophy, State Univ. of New York at Binghamton), Fields (neuroscience, independent scholar), Sullins (philosophy, Sonoma State Univ.), Van Heuveln (cognitive science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), and Zebrowski (cognitive science, Beloit College) provide many fascinating tidbits regarding how philosophers and cognitive psychologists (including themselves) have viewed efforts to advance artificial intelligence (AI). AI increasingly affects the daily life of scholars and everyone else. The book delivers more than its title suggests: far beyond merely listing "great philosophical objections" to AI, the authors present philosophical arguments that, while often negative, are also often neutral and sometimes positive. Although the description of actual AI products is sketchy, the authors avoid presenting computer scientists as technically obsessed monsters. The first 164 pages (part 1, "The AI Wars") offer a history of philosophical observations since 1956, and the final 99 pages (part 2, "Issues for Today") discuss ethical concerns, including how to define consciousness in the AI context and whether "embodied AIs" could have agency. The book resembles a buffet meal offering many appealing individual pieces, but the authors do not try to deliver a coherent explanation for either AI developments or their reception by philosophers and cognitive scientists over time. The text makes philosophical arguments on AI accessible to non-philosophers--itself an important accomplishment.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

This truly wonderful book describes the awesome micro-world of microfluidics: how fluids flow in miniaturized pipes and channels. This multidisciplinary science underlies many technological applications such as inkjet printing, glucose and pregnancy testing, biosensors, lab-on-a-chip, DNA sequencing, and COVID-19 testing. Adopting a unique presentation style, such that intricate physical ideas are presented in accessible language without a single equation, Folch (Univ. of Washington) outlines the history of microfluidic technology. For example, he provides intuitive description of fundamental concepts: droplet mechanics, surface tension, capillarity, and diffusion, before discussing the materials used for making microfluidic devices (e.g., silicon, glass, or polymers). Natural examples of microfluidic action--such as water drops on a leaf, bugs staying afloat on a pond, or a person writing with a quill or fountain pen--connect readers' everyday experience with the fundamental concepts. The majority of the text addresses current technologies that rely on microfluidics, illustrating just how prevalent and important this technology is. This reviewer especially appreciated the in-text callout boxes describing fundamental concepts or offering short biographies of prominent scientists in microfluidics research and development. In part because Folch's writing style is so remarkably clear, anyone interested in science and technology will appreciate and benefit from this fascinating book.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

In the setting of the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, neuroscientist Sandrone (Imperial College London) conversed with 24 Nobel laureates. The Lindau (Germany) conferences, Sandrone explained, bring together laureates and young scientists to foster the exchange of ideas and inspire future scientific advances in an interdisciplinary, multicultural environment. Sandrone's recorded interactions with molecular biologists, chemists, biochemists, physicians, astrophysicists, and economists delve into the lives, inspirations, discoveries, and predictions of a diverse group of thinkers and doers. The resulting book is sometimes funny, occasionally poignant, and always insightful. The laureates' responses to Sandrone's inquiries, whether they be probing the chemical nature of life, the role of emerging technologies, or the grand secrets of the universe--or even critiquing contemporary educational, social, and political institutions--offer readers much more than a summary of what they and the rest of humankind have learned as a species. They also remind readers of how far humanity still has to go. More than a series of interviews or transcribed conversations with individuals who have earned distinction in their respective fields, the book, through the experiences and perspectives of its participants, presents a wake-up call regarding what must yet be done to achieve a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceable world.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

For those who have limited acquisition budgets--and who doesn't--and can purchase only one book that deals with electric vehicles in all their aspects, this is the book. The 13 chapters, each supported by more than 100 notes/references, quickly add up to a very high quality, useful volume. Readers can open this book to any page and find something interesting or useful. Lithium: "There is no spot market for lithium and it is not traded on any exchange. ..." (p. 286). Or readers may want to know "... how many public charging stations will be needed in each of the 50 states in 2025"--try page 383. Graham (Indiana Univ.) lists the seven consultants with whom he worked, thereby creating opportunities for finding further information. A smart student will find out what these people have written and use the primary sources. However, this is not a pretty book, and it does have a less than exciting title--the whole package is a bit intimidating. Weighty information with a physical weight that will make any backpack uncomfortable but well worth reading and transporting. Every teacher should read chapter 1--it's full of relevant information that will probably come up in the classroom, and this is painless preparation.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.