Living Computers: Replicators, Information Processing, and the Evolution of Life

This book explores the fundamental connections between life and information, tracing the evolution of life's information from prelife polymers to RNA, DNA, neural networks, and animal brains. It emphasizes the importance of DNA as the planet's natural information repository, and considers the possibility of future life forms based on different molecules. Living Computers is aimed at students and scholars in various disciplines and provides insights into the origins and future of life as a computational phenomenon.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This captivating and accessible book delves into the profound connections between life and information, revealing their inseparable entanglement, embarking the reader on a journey traversing the major evolutionary transitions. It meticulously chronicles the entire evolution of life's information, commencing from the nascent polymers of prelife, progressing to the emergence of the first replicators, traversing the realms of RNA and DNA, culminating in the intricate neural networks and cognitive abilities of animals, continuing through the transformative shift of human language and writing, culminating in the vast expanse of computer clouds, and ultimately pointing towards an enigmatic future. All known forms of life currently rely on three fundamental molecular classes: proteins, which serve as the primary structural and functional building blocks of life; DNA, which holds the informational essence of life; and RNA, which acts as the bridge between these two. Despite the advent of language and the novel methods it has introduced for information storage and processing, the invaluable information stored within the DNA archive of our planet remains indispensable at the present stage of life's evolution. Should the DNA on Earth suffer severe corruption, the loss of cultural information and the very essence of life would be imminent. Nevertheless, it is intriguing to contemplate whether future life could be constructed from materials other than proteins, DNA, and RNA, such as steel, rubber, copper, or silicon. What was the nature of life when it first emerged on Earth billions of years ago? How might life evolve millions or billions of years from now, assuming it continues to exist? Could future civilizations, including potential successors to our present one, thrive without the presence of proteins, DNA, and RNA?

Living Computers is designed to cater to students and scholars across a diverse array of disciplines, including physics, computing, biology, and more. By providing the reader with the necessary knowledge and insights, the book empowers them to engage in informed and reasoned speculation about these profound questions. Through its engaging narrative and comprehensive exploration, Living Computers offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the intricate interplay between life and information, paving the way for new discoveries and insights into the mysteries of our universe.

Weight: 790g
Dimension: 180 x 254 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871947