Induction, selection, patents

From Greg Williams (930116)

Ray Allis 930115.1315 PST

I haven't read "The Embodied Mind" though. I will, on your
recommendation, rectify that as soon as I can find a copy I can read
for free. I quit buying books unread even longer than two years ago.

I would be interested to know what you think of: John H. Holland, K.J.
Holyoak, R.E. Nisbett, and P.A. Thagard, INDUCTION: PROCESSES OF INFERENCE,
LEARNING, AND DISCOVERY, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1986.

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Gary Cziko 930116.0325 GMT

You could make the criterion whatever you want it to be--it could be how
close the programs comes to typing out "PCT Forever" or coming up with a
program to predict closing prices on the stock market based on certain
economic indicators.

I think Koza should have subtitled his book "On the Programming of Computers
by Means of Artificial Selection." The TIERRA system, on the other hand, is an
example of natural selection (in an artificial environment!), because there is
no criterion of fitness imposed by the experimenter; the evolving programs
just survive (however) or don't. In artificial selection -- say, of flowers --
the selector GETS RID of the (otherwise surviving nicely) non-desirable (TO
THE SELECTOR) individuals.

Greg, try this:

Koza, John R. 1990d. Non-linear genetic algorithms for solving problems.
U.S. Patent 4,935,877. Issued June 19,1990.

I saw the "applied for" listings, but missed the "got one" entry. Interesting,
indeed. I see that John Holland has also been successful with the Patent
Office.

Greg, can you tell me something about he book club from which you
obtained Koza's book?

The Library of Science; advertises regularly in SCI. AMERICAN.

Do you get books cheaper than direct from the publisher?

Not much cheaper, with shipping added in. The bill for Koza's book is $48.39.
But you get bonus credits (2, I think, for Koza's book) for buying books; 4
bonus credits plus 1/3 of the publisher's list price (plus shipping) will get
any book in the catalog. I do like the quick shipping -- less than 2 weeks,
usually.

Does it provide books that I would be interested in (I think you have some
idea of what my interests are by now outside of PCT--evolution and selection
theory as applied to any and all areas of knowledge)?

Yes. If you're seriously interested, I'll send full info (as soon as I get a
new mailing). BOTH of us will get free books if i "sponsor" your joining. If
you don't want to wait, check out recent ads in popular science magazines.

As ever,

Greg