false 484459 2 <div>How does a computer scientist understand infinity? What can probability theory teach us about free will? Can mathematical notions be used to enhance one's personal understanding of the Bible?<br><br>Perhaps no one is more qualified to address these questions than Donald E. Knuth, whose massive contributions to computing have led others to nickname him "The Father of Computer Science"--and whose religious faith led him to understand a fascinating analysis of the Bible called the 3:16 project. In this series of six spirited, informal lectures, Knuth explores the relationships between his vocation and his faith, revealing the unique perspective that his work with computing has lent to his understanding of God.<br><br>His starting point is the 3:16 project, an application of mathematical "random sampling" to the books of the Bible. The first lectures tell the story of the project's conception and execution, exploring its many dimensions of language translation, aesthetics, and theological history. Along the way, Knuth explains the many insights he gained from such interdisciplinary work. These theological musings culminate in a surprising final lecture tackling the ideas of infinity, free will, and some of the other big questions that lie at the juncture of theology and computation.<br><br><i>Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About</i>, with its charming and user-friendly format--each lecture ends with a question and answer exchange, and the book itself contains more than 100 illustrations--is a readable and intriguing approach to a crucial topic, certain to edify both those who are serious and curious about their faiths and those who look at the science of computation and wonder what it might teach them about their spiritual world.<br><br>Includes "Creativity, Spirituality, and Computer Science," a panel discussion featuring Harry Lewis, Guy L. Steele, Jr., Manuela Veloso, Donald E. Knuth, and Mitch Kapor.<br><br></div> 2725020 2001 Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About (Center for the Study of Language and Information - Lecture Notes) total:29|5:9|4:12|3:7|2:1|1:0| 29 116 46 6 3 0 false false Mon Aug 24 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 16 22:43:16 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 16 22:43:30 -0700 2009 Author: Donald E. Knuth
Review: August 24, 2009
Edition: Copyright 2001
Pages: 257
Overall Rating: 3/5 [Average-Good:]
Synopsis: A collection of six lecture transcripts delivered by Donald E. Knuth on the topic of his previous book, 3:16, and the overlap between Christianit...more...]]> 5 0 false false Wed Feb 04 21:55:51 -0800 2009 Sat Mar 07 09:45:18 -0800 2009 Computer Scientist should read but everyone who deals with in...more...]]> 4 0 false false Fri Jul 24 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Jul 17 13:49:29 -0700 2009 Sun Aug 02 03:19:45 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sat Jul 14 13:32:51 -0700 2007 Sun Aug 19 18:18:29 -0700 2007 more...]]> 3 0 false false Fri Mar 30 11:08:09 -0700 2007 Fri Mar 30 11:12:00 -0700 2007 more...]]> 2 0 false false Sun Oct 12 15:49:33 -0700 2008 Fri Oct 03 08:11:53 -0700 2008 Sun Oct 12 15:49:33 -0700 2008 3:16.]]> 0 0 false false Sat Nov 07 21:58:39 -0800 2009 Sat Nov 07 21:58:39 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Fri Nov 06 05:41:09 -0800 2009 Fri Nov 06 05:42:14 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Thu Oct 22 06:27:32 -0700 2009 Thu Oct 22 06:27:32 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Oct 09 11:25:26 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 09 11:25:42 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Mon Feb 26 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Sun Sep 06 11:39:19 -0700 2009 Sun Sep 06 16:04:11 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Tue Sep 01 17:38:12 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 01 17:38:12 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2002 Sun Aug 16 16:21:54 -0700 2009 Sun Aug 16 16:22:02 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Aug 16 09:34:38 -0700 2009 Sun Aug 16 09:34:38 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Thu May 21 17:45:50 -0700 2009 Thu May 21 17:45:50 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri May 01 10:29:49 -0700 2009 Fri May 01 10:29:49 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Wed Apr 22 15:22:49 -0700 2009 Wed Apr 22 15:22:49 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Thu Apr 02 22:11:02 -0700 2009 Thu Apr 02 22:11:02 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Wed Mar 18 12:21:56 -0700 2009 Wed Mar 18 12:21:56 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Feb 12 20:59:02 -0800 2009 Thu Feb 12 20:59:02 -0800 2009 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=484459