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The ascent of information : books, bits, genes, machines, and life's unending algorithm
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The ascent of information : books, bits, genes, machines, and life's unending algorithm

by Caleb Scharf

An exploration of the concept that human data has evolved into a symbiotic aggregate lifeform that influences our behaviour. Drawing on evolutionary biology and computer science, it examines our relationship with information and its impact on the future of humanity.

Accession 20283 ISBN 9780593087244 Publisher Riverhead Books
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Communication Computer Science Culture Psychology Science Social Sciences
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position_updated_at
2026-06-01 16:33
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Details

Physical

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dimensions
none captured
spine_text
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Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
M:N3:6 2 Current vertical
1 week, 3 days ago
Book Location
Updated 4 days, 21 hours ago
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Frozen copy of Vernon's record from the last sync. Fields tagged → flow back into the Pulse record.

Last synced 2026-05-21 01:29 (2 weeks, 2 days ago)

Identity

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The ascent of information : books, bits, genes, machines, and life's unending algorithm
vernon_id
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20283
vernon_slug
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Descriptive

production_date
2021
object_type
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object_status
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brief_description
Drawing on deep ideas and frontier thinking in evolutionary biology, computer science, information theory, and astrobiology, Caleb Scharf argues that information is, in a very real sense, alive. All the data we create—all of our emails, tweets, selfies, A.I.-generated text and funny cat videos—amounts to an aggregate lifeform. It has goals and needs. It can control our behavior and influence our well-being. And it’s an organism that has evolved right alongside us. --cover

Subjects & people

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Caleb Scharf
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Science, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Communication, Artificial intelligence, Cognitive science, Information theory, Human behaviour, Computer science
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Cover image

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