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Paradox: Book One of The Singularity Chronicles
"In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?"Kira and Noah face a Do they follow in their father’s footsteps, advancing Artificial Intelligence to allow their dying mother to live on? Or do they let her rest in peace and step away from the technology that is dividing humanity?Kira knows her choice and follows her vision to make a sentient AI that captures all of who her mother was. Her path challenges her commitment as she weaves together biology, psychology, philosophy, and robotics, working with world-class scientists to unlock the complexity of the human mind and achieve technological singularity.Her brother Noah follows his own vision of humanity stepping back from advanced technology. He wants to return to an existence focusing on natural connections, not the artificial world of computers and virtual reality. He leads a team of elite resistance fighters to defend humanity against the dangers of AI yet finds himself questioning which side is right.In the chaotic battle that ensues, will they lose their humanity or will they learn what truly makes them human? They face a paradox with no easy answers.
374 pages, ebook
First published July 21, 2023
14 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Michael Woudenberg
2 books5 followersMichael Woudenberg is an aspiring Polymath from Tucson Arizona with a background in advanced technologies such as autonomy, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber, aerospace, national security, and weapon systems across a variety of companies from tech startups to Fortune 150 companies.
He is an award winning author in non-fiction and has been published in magazines and peer-reviewed journals. He is also the author of Polymathic Being, a substack exploring counterintuitive insights across different domains and disciplines at www.polymathicbeing.com.
One of his side passions is psychology and sociology, specifically around how the human brain works individually and within cultures and civilizations. He strives to tie together diverse concepts to enable human flourishing to both understand and address the technological complexity we face today.
Michael holds an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Information Systems from Michigan Technological University. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as an Airborne and Ranger qualified Field Artillery officer.
He has a broad series of hobbies including photography, mountain biking, brewing beer, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and basically most things outdoors. His family is along for all these adventures which make them so much more fun.
He is an award winning author in non-fiction and has been published in magazines and peer-reviewed journals. He is also the author of Polymathic Being, a substack exploring counterintuitive insights across different domains and disciplines at www.polymathicbeing.com.
One of his side passions is psychology and sociology, specifically around how the human brain works individually and within cultures and civilizations. He strives to tie together diverse concepts to enable human flourishing to both understand and address the technological complexity we face today.
Michael holds an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Information Systems from Michigan Technological University. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as an Airborne and Ranger qualified Field Artillery officer.
He has a broad series of hobbies including photography, mountain biking, brewing beer, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and basically most things outdoors. His family is along for all these adventures which make them so much more fun.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2024
Beyond Sci-Fi: A Journey Through Humanity's Technological Evolution
Forget your typical robot battles and laser pew-pews. Paradox transcends the boundaries of traditional sci-fi, embarking on a profound exploration of humanity's dance with technology. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking odyssey that traverses the realms of philosophy, real-world science, and the very essence of what it means to be human.
Woudenberg masterfully dissects the evolving tapestry of humanity’s relationship with technology. You will grapple with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, ponder the boundaries of human augmentation, and ultimately confront the question: will technology enhance or redefine humanity’s existence?
This isn't just speculative fiction; it's a deeply researched and relevant examination of the questions swirling around our technological future. The book resonates with the ongoing conversations about AI, machine learning, and their potential impact on society.
Prepare to be intellectually stimulated, emotionally engaged, and left pondering the possibilities.
Woudenberg's journey culminates in a powerful ending that lingers long after the final page. This book is not just recommended; it's a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of humanity and technology in our rapidly evolving world.
Forget your typical robot battles and laser pew-pews. Paradox transcends the boundaries of traditional sci-fi, embarking on a profound exploration of humanity's dance with technology. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking odyssey that traverses the realms of philosophy, real-world science, and the very essence of what it means to be human.
Woudenberg masterfully dissects the evolving tapestry of humanity’s relationship with technology. You will grapple with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, ponder the boundaries of human augmentation, and ultimately confront the question: will technology enhance or redefine humanity’s existence?
This isn't just speculative fiction; it's a deeply researched and relevant examination of the questions swirling around our technological future. The book resonates with the ongoing conversations about AI, machine learning, and their potential impact on society.
Prepare to be intellectually stimulated, emotionally engaged, and left pondering the possibilities.
Woudenberg's journey culminates in a powerful ending that lingers long after the final page. This book is not just recommended; it's a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of humanity and technology in our rapidly evolving world.
January 16, 2024
Harder than hard science, seasoned with soft science, philosophy, and fiction
This is the first hard science book that my 40-plus years in technology areas feels l
I can understand, but I can imagine things going in this direction.
It can be viewed as a pessimistic view, but from my perspective, I see it as a realistic view.
One can try to skim over the technical parts...but frankly if you do not understand it, you are way behind understanding what difficulties are barreling towards us.
Not that all the scenarios covered in the book I expect to see... unfortunately, in my opinion, things will be much worse.
Thus, it is near future fiction, mot something set hundreds of years from now.
And it isn't "and they all lived happily ever after. The End"
During the 60s there were SF authors who wrote about nuclear holocaust, either international or accidental.
This is the first hard science book that my 40-plus years in technology areas feels l
I can understand, but I can imagine things going in this direction.
It can be viewed as a pessimistic view, but from my perspective, I see it as a realistic view.
One can try to skim over the technical parts...but frankly if you do not understand it, you are way behind understanding what difficulties are barreling towards us.
Not that all the scenarios covered in the book I expect to see... unfortunately, in my opinion, things will be much worse.
Thus, it is near future fiction, mot something set hundreds of years from now.
And it isn't "and they all lived happily ever after. The End"
During the 60s there were SF authors who wrote about nuclear holocaust, either international or accidental.
December 29, 2023
It's a topical science fiction, and extremely well done. Not only is it entertaining (a must for any good fiction), but it is also plausible (unlike some science fiction). Paradox also does two things many fiction books don't do, it is educational and makes you think. The issues of ethics, morality, and the essence of being human are all explored. Best fiction I've read in 2023, and I've read 20 fiction novels.
September 7, 2023
This book reminds me a lot of Orson Scott Card with even a little of Robert Heinlein woven in. It's a solidly fast paced adventure that constantly ties in real psychology, sociology, philosophy, and technology. It was so much fun to see what it means to be human wrapped up in a totally relatable story full of challenges, strong female personalities, and the foibles that we all experience in our lives.
Highly Relatable and absolutely dead on for the current zeitgeist of AI and where it could lead. I can't recommend this book enough! Great start out the gate for a new series.
Highly Relatable and absolutely dead on for the current zeitgeist of AI and where it could lead. I can't recommend this book enough! Great start out the gate for a new series.
January 8, 2024
Are you afraid of the A.I. revolution? This book is for you. Are you excited about the A.I. revolution? This book is for you. The reader embarks on a journey with twists and turns s to explore reality with sentient A.I., and gets to the core of what it means to be human, beyond just good intentions. You will likely find that your view of A.I. will change throughout this read, finding the issues of A.I. (and of being human) are more complex than we often appreciate. Woudenberg artfully weaves real-world knowledge from a myriad of subjects into the plot line, doing so through relatable characters. While mostly focused on A.I., you will also learn about leadership, ethics, and more. I guarantee you will finish this action-packed adventure smarter than when you began.
December 28, 2023
This stands way above the average sci-fi books. The book is very well written, and is backed up by a massive research. It also provides different angles for the topic(AI VS humanity), while keeping the story amazingly exciting. It makes you think in a way that other sci-fi books don't. This book has the potential to become a classic in the genre.
August 31, 2024
fun read about an interesting contemporary sci-fi topic
The overall storyline was pretty good. I found the character development a bit weak and the time sequence of the narrative a bit hard to follow at times. For a first novel Woudenberg did pretty good.
The overall storyline was pretty good. I found the character development a bit weak and the time sequence of the narrative a bit hard to follow at times. For a first novel Woudenberg did pretty good.
December 29, 2023
The book that changed everything in 2023!
I thought I knew where I stood. Turns out I know nothing! Hooked & waiting for book 2 in the Singularity Chronicals.
I thought I knew where I stood. Turns out I know nothing! Hooked & waiting for book 2 in the Singularity Chronicals.
June 6, 2024
Fun, fast paced, and well thought out book on AI. Loved the idea of polymaths. This book kept me awake thinking about it after finishing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews