Skip to content

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed Paperback - 2013

by Ray Kurzweil


Summary

The bestselling author of The Singularity Is Near explores the limitless potential of reverse-engineering the human brain

Ray Kurzweil is arguably today’s most influential futurist. In How to Create a Mind, he presents a provocative exploration of the most important project in the human-machine civilization: reverse-engineering the brain to understand precisely how it functions and using that knowledge to create even more intelligent machines. Kurzweil discusses how the brain works, how the mind emerges, brain-computer interfaces, and the implications of vastly increasing the powers of our intelligence to address the world’s problems. Certain to be one of the most widely discussed and debated science books of the year, How to Create a Mind is sure to take its place alongside Kurzweil’s previous classics.

From the publisher

Ray Kurzweil is one of today’s leading inventors and the author of The Singularity Is Near and The Age of Spiritual Machines, among other books. He lives in Boston.

Details

  • Title How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
  • Author Ray Kurzweil
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 7/28/2013
  • Pages 352
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date 2013-08-27
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143124047 / 0143124048
  • Weight 0.75 lbs (0.34 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 in (21.84 x 14.48 x 2.03 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Artificial intelligence, Self-consciousness (Awareness)
  • Dewey Decimal Code 612.82

Media reviews

"Kurzweil writes boldly and with a showman’s flair, expertly guiding the lay reader into deep thickets of neuroscience."
~Kate Tuttle, Boston Globe

"A fascinating exercise in futurology."
~Kirkus Reviews

"It is rare to find a book that offers unique and inspiring content on every page. How to Create a Mind achieves that and more. Ray has a way of tackling seemingly overwhelming challenges with an army of reason, in the end convincing the reader that it is within our reach to create nonbiological intelligence that will soar past our own. This is a visionary work that is also accessible and entertaining.
~Rafael Reif, president, MIT
 
"Kurzweil's new book on the mind is magnificent, timely, and solidly argued! His best so far!"
~Marvin Minsky, MIT Toshiba Professor of Media Arts and Sciences; cofounder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab; widely regarded as "the father of artificial intelligence"
 
"If you ever wondered about how your mind works, read this book. Kurzweil's insights reveal key secrets underlying human thought and our ability to recreate it. This is an eloquent and thought-provoking work."
~Dean Kamen, physicist; inventor of the first wearable insulin pump, the HomeChoice dialysis machine, and the IBOT mobility system; founder of FIRST; recipient of the National Medal of Technology
 
"One of the eminent AI pioneers, Ray Kurzweil, has created a new book to explain the true nature of intelligence, both biological and nonbiological. The book describes the human brain as a machine that can understand hierarchical concepts ranging from the form of a chair to the nature of humor. His important insights emphasize the key role of learning both in the brain and in AI. He provides a credible road map for achieving the goal of super-human intelligence, which will be necessary to solve the grand challenges of humanity.
~Raj Reddy, founding director, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; recipient of the Turing Award from the Association for Computing Machinery
 
"Ray Kurzweil pioneered artificial intelligence systems that could read print in any type style, synthesize speech and music, and understand speech. These were the forerunners of the present revolution in machine learning that is creating intelligent computers that can beat humans in chess, win on Jeopardy!, and drive cars. His new book is a clear and compelling overview of the progress, especially in learning, that is enabling this revolution in the technologies of intelligence. It also offers important insights into a future in which we will begin solving what I believe is the greatest problem in science and technology today: the problem of how the brain works and of how it generates intelligence."
~Tomaso Poggio, Eugene McDermott Professor, MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; director, MIT Center for Biological and Computational Learning; former chair, MIT McGovern Institute for Brain Research; one of the most cited neuroscientists in the world

"This book is a Rosetta stone for the mystery of human thought. Even more remarkably, it is a blueprint for creating artificial consciousness that is as persuasive and emotional as our own. Kurzweil deals with the subject of consciousness better than anyone from Blackmore to Dennett. His persuasive thought experiment is of Einstein quality: It forces recognition of the truth."
~Martine Rothblatt, chairman and CEO, United Therapeutics; creator of Sirius XM Satellite Radio

"Kurzweil's book is a shining example of his prodigious ability to synthesize ideas from disparate domains and explain them to readers in simple, elegant language. Just as Chanute's Progress in Flying Machines ushered in the era of aviation over a century ago, this book is the harbinger of the coming revolution in artificial intelligence that will fulfill Kurzweil's own prophecies about it."
~Dileep George, AI scientist; pioneer of hierarchical models of the neocortex; cofounder of Numenta and Vicarious Systems

"Ray Kurzweil's understanding of the brain and artificial intelligence will dramatically impact every aspect of our lives, every industry on Earth, and how we think about our future. If you care about any of these, read this book!"
~Peter H. Diamandis, chairman and CEO, X PRIZE; executive chairman, Singularity University; author of the New York Times bestseller Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think
 

About the author

Ray Kurzweil is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Singularity Is Near and the national bestseller The Age of Spiritual Machines, among others. One of the leading inventors of our time, he won a Grammy Award for outstanding achievements in music technology in 2015 and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002. He is the recipient of many honors, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation's highest honor in technology. He lives in Boston.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.49
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Very Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofi9780393706468 t job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
$2.49
$3.00 shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Simi Valley, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2013-08-27. Paperback. Good. 0.8268 8.3465 5.4331. scuff marks on cover, writing throughout book
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. There is a signature or handwriting on the side of book. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
$2.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene , Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$3.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. Paperback This item shows wear from consistent use but remains in good readable condition. It may have marks on or in it, and may show other signs of previous use or shelf wear. May have minor creases or signs of wear on dust jacket. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
Item Price
$3.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene , Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$3.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Acceptable. Paperback The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
Item Price
$3.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Very Good. Disclaimer:May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
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
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. As New. Disclaimer:Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Ray Kurzweil

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.02
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. 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
$6.02
FREE shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
Quantity Available
5
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.66
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
$6.66
FREE shipping to USA
How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Create a Mind : The Secret of Human Thought Revealed

by Kurzweil, Ray

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124047 / 0143124048
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
$6.92
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
$6.92
FREE shipping to USA