The Cost of Enough
He left law to fight. Then tried to replace the sparring he could not afford with theory. Three fights in, the experiment continues.
M. Mitchell Waldrop
Bio
M. Mitchell Waldrop is an esteemed American science writer and editor, renowned for his ability to elucidate complex scientific and technological concepts for a broad audience.
Waldrop earned a Ph.D. in elementary particle physics from the University of Wisconsin in 1975, followed by a master's degree in journalism from the same institution in 1977. His unique combination of scientific expertise and journalistic training laid the foundation for a distinguished career in science communication.
Waldrop has authored several influential books that delve into the evolution of scientific thought and technological innovation:
- Man-Made Minds: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence (1987): An exploration of the early developments and potential of AI technologies.
- Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos (1992): A comprehensive account of the Santa Fe Institute's pioneering work in complexity science, examining how systems self-organize and adapt.
- The Dream Machine: J.C.R. Licklider and the Revolution That Made Computing Personal (2001): A biography of J.C.R. Licklider, highlighting his visionary role in the development of personal computing and the internet.
- Cosmic Origins: Science’s Long Quest to Understand How Our Universe Began: A narrative tracing the scientific endeavors to comprehend the origins of the cosmos.
It's also the principle that lies behind all of Oriental martial arts. You don't try to stop your opponent, you let him come at you-and then give him a tap in just the right direction as he rushes by. The idea is to observe, to act courageously, and to pick your timing extremely well.