Engines Of Creation (Book Reviews)
by: Britt Gillette
Despite a massive assault by its critics, Engines of Creation is a truly revolutionary work, and Eric Drexler should be commended
for launching a worldwide discussion on the topic of molecular manufacturing (MM), or molecular nanotechnology (MNT), as some
refer to it. First of all, this is a book that needs to be updated, as the opening chapters deal in-depth with protein design and a
later chapter tries to paint a picture of a future network of information known as "the Internet". But the remainder of the book is
timeless. (Update: Since this review, Engines of Creation has been updated and replaced by “Engines of Creation 2.0”)
The true merit of Engines of Creation comes not from the argument of whether or not manipulation of individual molecules is
possible. We already know that it is. Our bodies are filled with nature's own molecular machines. But the true worth of this book
stems from its assumption that such technology will develop into a worldwide enterprise and will have enormous consequences for
the human experience. The importance of the examination and study of those consequences cannot be overstated, and Drexler
formed the Foresight Institute in an attempt to grapple with many of these issues. (Although personally, I recommend The Center
for Responsible Nanotechnology as the best "think-tank" on molecular manufacturing's benefits and dangers).
The power to thoroughly and inexpensively control the structure of matter will effect every aspect of the human experience, and
although it is a worthy endeavor to speculate on the implications for medicine, space exploration, ending poverty, etc., none of
these benefits will be realized if we fail to work out a reasonable system of governance once molecular manufacturing becomes
reality. The development of this technology will lead to the creation of new weapons of destructive power, possibly give rise to
demagogues, and provide the conditions necessary to precipitate a dangerous, and possibly world-threatening, arms race
between competing MM-enabled nation states. Although we have faced these concerns since the dawn of the Nuclear Age, it
remains unclear as to whether or not the same principles of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) will still apply. Engines of
Creation sparks the debate on how we will deal with the new problems that arise from man's ability to manipulate molecules, and in
doing so, it provides an invaluable service to the human race.
Those concerned about our future and the world in which we live should read this book, because molecular manufacturing will
define our future.
About The Author
Britt Gillette
To learn more about nanotechnology, please visit http://BrittGillette.com, a Christian perspective on the end times and emerging
technologies. http://brittgillette.com/WordPress/?page_id=7
by: Britt Gillette
Despite a massive assault by its critics, Engines of Creation is a truly revolutionary work, and Eric Drexler should be commended
for launching a worldwide discussion on the topic of molecular manufacturing (MM), or molecular nanotechnology (MNT), as some
refer to it. First of all, this is a book that needs to be updated, as the opening chapters deal in-depth with protein design and a
later chapter tries to paint a picture of a future network of information known as "the Internet". But the remainder of the book is
timeless. (Update: Since this review, Engines of Creation has been updated and replaced by “Engines of Creation 2.0”)
The true merit of Engines of Creation comes not from the argument of whether or not manipulation of individual molecules is
possible. We already know that it is. Our bodies are filled with nature's own molecular machines. But the true worth of this book
stems from its assumption that such technology will develop into a worldwide enterprise and will have enormous consequences for
the human experience. The importance of the examination and study of those consequences cannot be overstated, and Drexler
formed the Foresight Institute in an attempt to grapple with many of these issues. (Although personally, I recommend The Center
for Responsible Nanotechnology as the best "think-tank" on molecular manufacturing's benefits and dangers).
The power to thoroughly and inexpensively control the structure of matter will effect every aspect of the human experience, and
although it is a worthy endeavor to speculate on the implications for medicine, space exploration, ending poverty, etc., none of
these benefits will be realized if we fail to work out a reasonable system of governance once molecular manufacturing becomes
reality. The development of this technology will lead to the creation of new weapons of destructive power, possibly give rise to
demagogues, and provide the conditions necessary to precipitate a dangerous, and possibly world-threatening, arms race
between competing MM-enabled nation states. Although we have faced these concerns since the dawn of the Nuclear Age, it
remains unclear as to whether or not the same principles of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) will still apply. Engines of
Creation sparks the debate on how we will deal with the new problems that arise from man's ability to manipulate molecules, and in
doing so, it provides an invaluable service to the human race.
Those concerned about our future and the world in which we live should read this book, because molecular manufacturing will
define our future.
About The Author
Britt Gillette
To learn more about nanotechnology, please visit http://BrittGillette.com, a Christian perspective on the end times and emerging
technologies. http://brittgillette.com/WordPress/?page_id=7
Benefit From 50 Books Each Year... Without Creating Any
Extra Time To Read
by: Juliette Lee
I didn't believe it the first time I heard a friend of mine say -
"I benefit from the reading of 50 books each year... in my spare time".
Knowing how demanding her time was because of her top position in her job and being a single mom,
I was certain she was lying and I told her so.
Smiling, she insisted that it was the truth. I would have continued arguing with her until she pointed
out to me that she didn't have to physically "read" them, but they were "read" to her while she
listened... in her spare time.
Not giving me any opportunity to argue, she went ahead and played an audio book on her CD player
for my perusal.
She explained that this was how she had almost any book she wanted read to her as audio books
while she prepared for work in the morning, while she prepared her daughter for school, while she did
her exercises each day, while she commuted to and from work and any free time she had on hands
that didn't involve using her mind.
I was surprised, to say the least, that I could have been doing the same thing in my spare time.
From what this friend of mine explained to me, I knew I had to give audio books a try.
I did and was very impressed.
Now, I can proudly say I also benefit from the reading of up to 50 books each year.
Still don't think it's possible?
Fine, let's do the math:
For an audio book that takes 4 hours, you can have it read to you in just two days - 1 hour each day
while preparing for work in the morning and 1 hour each day while commuting to and from work.
That's 4 hours in 2 days.
So, if it takes you 2 days to have one audio book read to you, that will be 365 days in a year divided
by 2. That will equal about 133 books each year!
That's over double the original 50 audio books we were targeting, right?
Audio books are indeed the secret formula that many people use to get the value from the best
books they want to read. With audio books, you can forget the frustration you always had whenever
you force yourself to read any book.
For the bookworms back in college that want to continue reading but can't afford the time anymore,
you now have a solution in audio books.
Whether you want to use your PC, CD player, MP3, it is now possible and within your reach for
peanuts.
About The Author
Juliette Lee is the editor and CEO of http://www.MyAudioCompanion.com. To find the best audio book
titles, please visit http://www.MyAudioCompanion.com
Extra Time To Read
by: Juliette Lee
I didn't believe it the first time I heard a friend of mine say -
"I benefit from the reading of 50 books each year... in my spare time".
Knowing how demanding her time was because of her top position in her job and being a single mom,
I was certain she was lying and I told her so.
Smiling, she insisted that it was the truth. I would have continued arguing with her until she pointed
out to me that she didn't have to physically "read" them, but they were "read" to her while she
listened... in her spare time.
Not giving me any opportunity to argue, she went ahead and played an audio book on her CD player
for my perusal.
She explained that this was how she had almost any book she wanted read to her as audio books
while she prepared for work in the morning, while she prepared her daughter for school, while she did
her exercises each day, while she commuted to and from work and any free time she had on hands
that didn't involve using her mind.
I was surprised, to say the least, that I could have been doing the same thing in my spare time.
From what this friend of mine explained to me, I knew I had to give audio books a try.
I did and was very impressed.
Now, I can proudly say I also benefit from the reading of up to 50 books each year.
Still don't think it's possible?
Fine, let's do the math:
For an audio book that takes 4 hours, you can have it read to you in just two days - 1 hour each day
while preparing for work in the morning and 1 hour each day while commuting to and from work.
That's 4 hours in 2 days.
So, if it takes you 2 days to have one audio book read to you, that will be 365 days in a year divided
by 2. That will equal about 133 books each year!
That's over double the original 50 audio books we were targeting, right?
Audio books are indeed the secret formula that many people use to get the value from the best
books they want to read. With audio books, you can forget the frustration you always had whenever
you force yourself to read any book.
For the bookworms back in college that want to continue reading but can't afford the time anymore,
you now have a solution in audio books.
Whether you want to use your PC, CD player, MP3, it is now possible and within your reach for
peanuts.
About The Author
Juliette Lee is the editor and CEO of http://www.MyAudioCompanion.com. To find the best audio book
titles, please visit http://www.MyAudioCompanion.com
Four Great Books On The Theme Of Creative Living
by: Mary McNeil
Are you looking for inspiration and practical advice when it comes to the topic of how to the creative life? Well just take a look at
these four top notch books...
1. Creating A Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd.
Billed as 'A practical course in career design for artists, innovators, and others aspiring to a creative life', there's a clear message
right from the start that creativity can take a vast number of different forms. Simply assigning someone the label of 'creative' is a
serious generalisation. Your version of creativity might be making art, teaching, generating ideas, inventing objects, interpreting
music... and Carol Lloyd is most helpful in encouraging you to understand your own unique brand of creativity.
The book begins with a section somewhat similar to Julia Cameron's Artist's Way programme - a process of search and research
through your childhood desires, your timeless inclinations and present needs. From there it goes considerably further into the
dreaming, planning and design stages for a new way of living. And on into the development of a down-to-earth action plan for your
day-to-day life.
There's a chapter on the various kinds of day jobs which can support or undermine your long-term creative goals. Another on how
to deal with indecision and competing interests. And one that asks you to analyze your current lifestyle and build a new model for
your everyday creative process.
This book is an excellent tool if you want to undertake some self coaching. I have learned much from it to enhance the
life/creativity coaching that I do. So if you want to redesign your life in a way that will support and inspire your creativity, this is the
one for you.
2. Your Life As Art by Robert Fritz
What a great concept! To take the nuts and bolts of the creative process and apply them to creating your life. Your Life As Art
takes that idea and explores just how you can make it real.
The interesting thing about this book is that it concentrates on the structural processes that make up the creation of works of art,
be they paintings, musical compositions, films, novels, poetry. It's not about ways to find inspiration - in fact it advises strongly
against relying on inspiration. The theme is more about conscious creation through the application of appropriate structure, and
how to achieve it in your life.
The first half of the book looks at the concept of structural tension as it applies to both creating works of art and achieving life
goals. This involves having a clear and realistic sense of where you are now, combined with a vision of what you want to achieve.
The structural tension is the gap between the two and it's what pulls you towards your vision.
The second half of the book looks at the structural patterns in our lives. Some people have structural life patterns which lead them
through one successful project and onwards to the next, and the next. Others have repeating life patterns which take them round
in less successful circles. Robert Fritz explains how the self concepts you hold can get in the way of your success and lead you
into the frustration of a repeating pattern. He also explains (hurrah!) how to stop going round in circles and to change the
structural patterns in your life.
If you want your thoughts provoked on the nature of creativity as a structural form, both in relation to art and to life itself, this will
really get you thinking. It may sound complex, but it's well written, easy to follow and well worth the read.
3. Coaching The Artist Within by Eric Maisel
Eric Maisel is described as 'America's foremost creativity coach' and in this book he offers well-structured advice, illustrated with
anecdotes and personal reflections on his many years of creativity coaching experience.
The book is divided into twelve sections - each one covering a skill that will help you along the path to becoming your own
creativity coach. To give some examples, three of the skills he covers are: 'Passionately making meaning', 'Becoming an anxiety
expert' and 'Creating in the middle of things'.
As is the rule with all self development books, there is no quick fix here, but the advice offered is shot through with the occasional
artistic twist and steeped in common sense. All the books I've read on the topic of the creative process are unanimous in stating
that, ultimately, it's a case of simply getting down to and getting on with the work. This book is no exception, but it includes an
interesting extension to the theme by advocating positive forms of obsession. Maisel explores the fine line that divides emotional
stability from instability when you're in the midst of a creative obsession. In those moments when you produce your most inspired
work, how sane are you?
I found this book to be both practical and inspiring. So if you want to try a spot of creative self-coaching why not take a look?
4. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
The full title of this book is 'The Creative Habit. Learn it and use it for life. A practical guide'. And that's genuinely what it is... a
practical guide, setting out and exploring the habits and attitudes that sustain a fully creative life.
Twyla Tharp, the world famous choreographer, now in her sixties, details with clarity, style and authority how to keep yourself
productive and motivated even when you think you've run completely out of enthusiasm.
She writes about the structure and organizational aspects of creative projects - 'Before you can think out of the box, you have to
start with a box'; scratching for inspiration in potentailly productive areas, like scratching a lottery ticket to see if you strike lucky;
mastering the underlying skills of your creative domain and building your creativity on the solid foundations of those skills; getting
out of ruts (stuckness) and creating grooves (productive flow).
The habits she describes are woven together with stories from her long career and anecdotes from her wide-ranging creative
friendships. Unlike other books I've read on the topic of active creativity, she includes a chapter on what a creative life means in
'the long run'. How the great masters continue to grow and develop their skill over many decades.
The Creative Habit is a personal account of what works by someone who's lived a vibrantly successful creative life. Tharp's style is
crisply clever and captures a strong sense of authority and vitality.
About The Author
Mary McNeil
For more creative life planning hints, tips and techniques from Mary McNeil, check out http://www.Create-a-Space.co.uk
BACK
by: Mary McNeil
Are you looking for inspiration and practical advice when it comes to the topic of how to the creative life? Well just take a look at
these four top notch books...
1. Creating A Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd.
Billed as 'A practical course in career design for artists, innovators, and others aspiring to a creative life', there's a clear message
right from the start that creativity can take a vast number of different forms. Simply assigning someone the label of 'creative' is a
serious generalisation. Your version of creativity might be making art, teaching, generating ideas, inventing objects, interpreting
music... and Carol Lloyd is most helpful in encouraging you to understand your own unique brand of creativity.
The book begins with a section somewhat similar to Julia Cameron's Artist's Way programme - a process of search and research
through your childhood desires, your timeless inclinations and present needs. From there it goes considerably further into the
dreaming, planning and design stages for a new way of living. And on into the development of a down-to-earth action plan for your
day-to-day life.
There's a chapter on the various kinds of day jobs which can support or undermine your long-term creative goals. Another on how
to deal with indecision and competing interests. And one that asks you to analyze your current lifestyle and build a new model for
your everyday creative process.
This book is an excellent tool if you want to undertake some self coaching. I have learned much from it to enhance the
life/creativity coaching that I do. So if you want to redesign your life in a way that will support and inspire your creativity, this is the
one for you.
2. Your Life As Art by Robert Fritz
What a great concept! To take the nuts and bolts of the creative process and apply them to creating your life. Your Life As Art
takes that idea and explores just how you can make it real.
The interesting thing about this book is that it concentrates on the structural processes that make up the creation of works of art,
be they paintings, musical compositions, films, novels, poetry. It's not about ways to find inspiration - in fact it advises strongly
against relying on inspiration. The theme is more about conscious creation through the application of appropriate structure, and
how to achieve it in your life.
The first half of the book looks at the concept of structural tension as it applies to both creating works of art and achieving life
goals. This involves having a clear and realistic sense of where you are now, combined with a vision of what you want to achieve.
The structural tension is the gap between the two and it's what pulls you towards your vision.
The second half of the book looks at the structural patterns in our lives. Some people have structural life patterns which lead them
through one successful project and onwards to the next, and the next. Others have repeating life patterns which take them round
in less successful circles. Robert Fritz explains how the self concepts you hold can get in the way of your success and lead you
into the frustration of a repeating pattern. He also explains (hurrah!) how to stop going round in circles and to change the
structural patterns in your life.
If you want your thoughts provoked on the nature of creativity as a structural form, both in relation to art and to life itself, this will
really get you thinking. It may sound complex, but it's well written, easy to follow and well worth the read.
3. Coaching The Artist Within by Eric Maisel
Eric Maisel is described as 'America's foremost creativity coach' and in this book he offers well-structured advice, illustrated with
anecdotes and personal reflections on his many years of creativity coaching experience.
The book is divided into twelve sections - each one covering a skill that will help you along the path to becoming your own
creativity coach. To give some examples, three of the skills he covers are: 'Passionately making meaning', 'Becoming an anxiety
expert' and 'Creating in the middle of things'.
As is the rule with all self development books, there is no quick fix here, but the advice offered is shot through with the occasional
artistic twist and steeped in common sense. All the books I've read on the topic of the creative process are unanimous in stating
that, ultimately, it's a case of simply getting down to and getting on with the work. This book is no exception, but it includes an
interesting extension to the theme by advocating positive forms of obsession. Maisel explores the fine line that divides emotional
stability from instability when you're in the midst of a creative obsession. In those moments when you produce your most inspired
work, how sane are you?
I found this book to be both practical and inspiring. So if you want to try a spot of creative self-coaching why not take a look?
4. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
The full title of this book is 'The Creative Habit. Learn it and use it for life. A practical guide'. And that's genuinely what it is... a
practical guide, setting out and exploring the habits and attitudes that sustain a fully creative life.
Twyla Tharp, the world famous choreographer, now in her sixties, details with clarity, style and authority how to keep yourself
productive and motivated even when you think you've run completely out of enthusiasm.
She writes about the structure and organizational aspects of creative projects - 'Before you can think out of the box, you have to
start with a box'; scratching for inspiration in potentailly productive areas, like scratching a lottery ticket to see if you strike lucky;
mastering the underlying skills of your creative domain and building your creativity on the solid foundations of those skills; getting
out of ruts (stuckness) and creating grooves (productive flow).
The habits she describes are woven together with stories from her long career and anecdotes from her wide-ranging creative
friendships. Unlike other books I've read on the topic of active creativity, she includes a chapter on what a creative life means in
'the long run'. How the great masters continue to grow and develop their skill over many decades.
The Creative Habit is a personal account of what works by someone who's lived a vibrantly successful creative life. Tharp's style is
crisply clever and captures a strong sense of authority and vitality.
About The Author
Mary McNeil
For more creative life planning hints, tips and techniques from Mary McNeil, check out http://www.Create-a-Space.co.uk
BACK
Book Reviews
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