Daniel McNeill Boeken

This "natural history" of the face unravels the surprising mysteries of one of the most familiar sights in everyday life, exploring the face's anatomy, its singularity, its ability to communicate, and its beauty.

Fuzzy Logic offers an exhilarating glimpse into a high-tech future shaped by visionary computer scientists, while also highlighting the pitfalls of shortsighted business practices. Picture a "fuzzy" washing machine that automatically measures detergent and selects the perfect wash temperature, or a microwave that monitors meals with greater sensitivity than a human cook. In Japan, these innovations are already a reality and are poised to enter the global market. The concept of fuzzy logic, invented by Lotfi Zadeh in 1964, transcends conventional binary thinking by embracing shades of gray, enabling computers to emulate human thought processes. Despite facing skepticism from the American academic community and businesses, Zadeh's ideas found fertile ground in Japan, where companies like Matsushita and Sony are now set to profit immensely. The future possibilities of fuzzy logic are staggering, including software that predicts stock market trends, autonomous vehicles, advanced robots with human-like behaviors, and microscopic health agents that target cancer cells and slow aging. This narrative not only chronicles the evolution of this groundbreaking technology and its pioneers but also illustrates the journey of American business in recognizing its potential and the profound impact it will have on our lives.