Michael Belfiore
Autor(a) de The Department of Mad Scientists: How DARPA Is Remaking Our World, from the Internet to Artificial Limbs
About the Author
Michael Belfiore has written about spaceflight and advanced technology for Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, New Scientist, Air Space, Smithsonian, Financial Times, Wired.com, and other media outlets. He lives in Woodstock, New York.
Obras de Michael Belfiore
Associated Works
In the Shadow of the Wall: An Anthology of Vietnam Stories That Might Have Been (2002) — Contribuinte — 6 cópias
Etiquetado
Conhecimento Comum
- Data de nascimento
- 1969
- Sexo
- male
- Educação
- Clarion West (1994)
- Organizações
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Membros
Resenhas
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Estatísticas
- Obras
- 3
- Also by
- 2
- Membros
- 235
- Popularidade
- #96,241
- Avaliação
- 3.4
- Resenhas
- 12
- ISBNs
- 8
- Idiomas
- 1
On one hand, it talks about some of the coolest innovations coming down the pipe from an agency that's made its reputation on cool innovations, such as GPS and the internet. I found myself excited as hell as the author walked us through--at a very high, undetailed level--things like artificial limbs, on-site operating robots, self-driving cars, and fossil fuel replacements, to name a few. It's fascinating to find out someone is turning this science fiction stuff into reality...within our lifetime.
On the other hand, it's that high, undetailed level that kind of drove me bonkers. While I understand...this is DARPA, so you're not going to be long on specifics, give us something, even some peripheral research...something. Because, without it, even though there's examples of the tech in action in many of the passages--and, in my opinion, far too much of it in the self-driving car section...seriously, that bit went on and on--most of it is what an old friend of mine would refer to as "gosh" science. That is, science that makes you say, "gosh!"
Another good point is the high-level history of DARPA. Another low point is the unnecessarily extended passages about how tough it was to get past their PR person--to the point where, at times, it felt like padding to an already slim book.
In the end, I'm glad I read it, because there really is some seriously cool stuff in here, and the general idea of DARPA fires the imagination. I just there was a little more chicken and a lot less feathers.… (mais)