Alas, the book only glancingly touches on that theme. E.g. at one point on how to make a straightedge: if you have a first attempt, you could cut another following its edge, then flip it over and push them together -- they'll only fit if it's really straight. No word on how to reduce the error you've found, though of course I can imagine possibilities. I want a good intro to mechanical engineering for software nerds with some physics education, using Oculus Rift and some kind of haptic interface, please.
Seriously, I get the impression of real continuity between ingenious machine design and computing. Sometimes people say every age's metaphor for the brain is whatever the high tech of the time was, to defuse brain = computer by reference to brain = clockwork; but if clockwork ~= computer that loses some force. (http://www.amazon.com/Leonardos-Lost-Robots-Mark-Rosheim/dp/3540284400 was pretty unreadable; I'm in the market for something better.)
(It would be a *great* example of the reverse engineering you're talking about if it didn't take reverse engineering to follow what the hell he's going on about.)
Seriously, I get the impression of real continuity between ingenious machine design and computing. Sometimes people say every age's metaphor for the brain is whatever the high tech of the time was, to defuse brain = computer by reference to brain = clockwork; but if clockwork ~= computer that loses some force. (http://www.amazon.com/Leonardos-Lost-Robots-Mark-Rosheim/dp/3540284400 was pretty unreadable; I'm in the market for something better.)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment