Skip to content

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology Paperback - 2006

by Ray Kurzweil

In his latest, thrilling foray into the future, a great inventor and futurist envisions an event--the "singularity"--in which technological change becomes so rapid and so profound that human bodies and brains will merge with machines.


Summary

For over three decades, Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.

From the publisher

"Startling in scope and bravado." --Janet Maslin, The New York Times "Artfully envisions a breathtakingly better world." --Los Angeles Times "Elaborate, smart and persuasive." --The Boston Globe "A pleasure to read." --The Wall Street Journal One of CBS News's Best Fall Books of 2005 - Among St Louis Post-Dispatch's Best Nonfiction Books of 2005 - One of Amazon.com's Best Science Books of 2005 A radical and optimistic view of the future course of human development from the bestselling author of How to Create a Mind and The Singularity is Nearer who Bill Gates calls "the best person I know at predicting the future of artificial intelligence" For over three decades, Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.

First line

HASH(0x149ab560)

Details

  • Title The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
  • Author Ray Kurzweil
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 672
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date 2006-10-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780143037880 / 0143037889
  • Weight 1.45 lbs (0.66 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.1 x 6 x 1.6 in (23.11 x 15.24 x 4.06 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Nanotechnology, Robotics
  • Dewey Decimal Code 153.9

Media reviews

Artfully envisions a breathtakingly better world. (Los Angeles Times)

A pleasure to read. (The Wall Street Journal)

The best person I know at predicting the future of artificial intelligence (Bill Gates)

Citations

  • Christianity Today, 02/01/2009, Page 24
  • Library Journal, 04/01/2015, Page 45
  • New York Review of Books, 11/24/2011, Page 45

About the author

Ray Kurzweil is one of the world's leading inventors, thinkers, and futurists, with a twenty-year track record of accurate predictions. Called "the restless genius" by The Wall Street Journal and "the ultimate thinking machine" by Forbes magazine, Kurzweil was selected as one of the top entrepreneurs by Inc. magazine, which described him as the "rightful heir to Thomas Edison." PBS selected him as one of "sixteen revolutionaries who made America," along with other inventors of the past two centuries. An inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and recipient of the National Medal of Technology, the Lemelson-MIT Prize (the world's largest award for innovation), thirteen honorary doctorates, and awards from three U.S. presidents, he is the author of five other books: Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever (coauthored with Terry Grossman, M.D.), The Age of Spiritual Machines, The 10% Solution for a Healthy Life, and The Age of Intelligent Machines, and How to Create a Mind. Visit Ray Kurzweil on the web: http: //www.kurzweiltech.com http: //www.kurzweilai.net/

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Skokie, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£3.16
£3.23 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood.
Item Price
£3.16
£3.23 shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.22
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2006-09-26. paperback. Acceptable. 22x96x145.
Item Price
£5.22
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
21
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.51
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
17
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2006. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.61
FREE shipping to USA
The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143037880 / 0143037889
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.86
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.86
FREE shipping to USA