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Ways of Being: Animals, Plants, Machines: The Search for a Planetary Intelligence
Artist, technologist, and philosopher James Bridle’s Ways of Being is a brilliant, searching exploration of different kinds of intelligence—plant, animal, human, artificial—and how they transform our understanding of humans’ place in the cosmos.
What does it mean to be intelligent? Is it something unique to humans or shared with other beings— beings of flesh, wood, stone, and silicon? The last few years have seen rapid advances in “artificial” intelligence. But rather than a friend or companion, AI increasingly appears to be something stranger than we ever imagined, an alien invention that threatens to decenter and supplant us.
At the same time, we’re only just becoming aware of the other intelligences that have been with us all along, even if we’ve failed to recognize or acknowledge them. These others—the animals, plants, and natural systems that surround us—are slowly revealing their complexity, agency, and knowledge, just as the technologies we’ve built to sustain ourselves are threatening to cause their extinction and ours. What can we learn from them, and how can we change ourselves, our technologies, our societies, and our politics to live better and more equitably with one another and the nonhuman world?
The artist and maverick thinker James Bridle draws on biology and physics, computation, literature, art, and philosophy to answer these unsettling questions. Startling and bold, Ways of Being explores the fascinating, strange, and multitudinous forms of knowing, doing, and being that make up the world, and that are essential for our survival.
Includes illustrations
What does it mean to be intelligent? Is it something unique to humans or shared with other beings— beings of flesh, wood, stone, and silicon? The last few years have seen rapid advances in “artificial” intelligence. But rather than a friend or companion, AI increasingly appears to be something stranger than we ever imagined, an alien invention that threatens to decenter and supplant us.
At the same time, we’re only just becoming aware of the other intelligences that have been with us all along, even if we’ve failed to recognize or acknowledge them. These others—the animals, plants, and natural systems that surround us—are slowly revealing their complexity, agency, and knowledge, just as the technologies we’ve built to sustain ourselves are threatening to cause their extinction and ours. What can we learn from them, and how can we change ourselves, our technologies, our societies, and our politics to live better and more equitably with one another and the nonhuman world?
The artist and maverick thinker James Bridle draws on biology and physics, computation, literature, art, and philosophy to answer these unsettling questions. Startling and bold, Ways of Being explores the fascinating, strange, and multitudinous forms of knowing, doing, and being that make up the world, and that are essential for our survival.
Includes illustrations
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2022
899 people are currently reading
9375 people want to read
About the author
James Bridle
15 books193 followersFrom https://jamesbridle.com/about:
James Bridle (b. 1980) is a writer, artist, journalist, and technologist.
James Bridle (b. 1980) is a writer, artist, journalist, and technologist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
October 2, 2022
I have struggled with how to review this book, as I am amazed that I am the first one star review! Part of me wants to simply say, “Not for me”, but this book bothered me enough that I feel I have to elaborate. The author lost me on page 3 (!) where he describes companies using computer algorithms to decide where oil deposits might be, which he thinks is AI (I don’t; not all computer programs are AI). The author reports that one of the companies, Repsol, has justified this (as if you need to justify using computers these days) by saying, “we have decided to let technology help us to make those decisions [where to drill]” Here is the author’s take on this:
“Those decision include extracting every last drop of oil from under the earth, with full awareness of the irreparable damage that will do to the planet, ourselves, and our societies, and everything and everyone we share the planet with. … This is what happens – now – when artificial intelligence is applied to the earth itself.”
Followed by:
“Repsol and IBM are not the only ones using artificial intelligence to hasten the degradation and exhaustion of the planet.” [Google is too.]
To be honest, from that point on I was mostly skimming the book, until I got to page 178. Here the author says that one of the “greatest misunderstandings of the twentieth century” was the idea that the usefulness of computers has made us think that “the universe is like a computer, the brain is like a computer” etc. I have heard the analogies between a computer and the brain, but “the universe”? Which leads to this:
“From this error flows all kinds of violence: the violence which reduces the beauty of the world to numbers, and the consequent violence which tries to force the world to conform to that representation, which erases, degrades, tortures and kills those things and beings which do not fit within the assumed system of representation.”
Really? Does that make any sense at all? The author seems to be blaming all kinds of violence, plus “class and racial categorization” on computers! It should be obvious that those miseries pre-dated computers by millennia, and I don’t even buy the author’s assertion that computers have made them worse.
Goodread reviewer BiblioKel suggests that the issue is that the author assumes a shared experience with the reader, and therefore states things as fact or common sense “when in reality they were just [the author’s] own personal convictions”. I totally agree with BiblioKel on this (I couldn’t say it better).
The book is rated 4.25 on Goodreads (but only 143 ratings), so maybe there is a shared experience that I don't share. If, from the above excerpts, you think maybe you do share that experience, you may like the book. Just be aware the author is an artist, not a scientist.
“Those decision include extracting every last drop of oil from under the earth, with full awareness of the irreparable damage that will do to the planet, ourselves, and our societies, and everything and everyone we share the planet with. … This is what happens – now – when artificial intelligence is applied to the earth itself.”
Followed by:
“Repsol and IBM are not the only ones using artificial intelligence to hasten the degradation and exhaustion of the planet.” [Google is too.]
To be honest, from that point on I was mostly skimming the book, until I got to page 178. Here the author says that one of the “greatest misunderstandings of the twentieth century” was the idea that the usefulness of computers has made us think that “the universe is like a computer, the brain is like a computer” etc. I have heard the analogies between a computer and the brain, but “the universe”? Which leads to this:
“From this error flows all kinds of violence: the violence which reduces the beauty of the world to numbers, and the consequent violence which tries to force the world to conform to that representation, which erases, degrades, tortures and kills those things and beings which do not fit within the assumed system of representation.”
Really? Does that make any sense at all? The author seems to be blaming all kinds of violence, plus “class and racial categorization” on computers! It should be obvious that those miseries pre-dated computers by millennia, and I don’t even buy the author’s assertion that computers have made them worse.
Goodread reviewer BiblioKel suggests that the issue is that the author assumes a shared experience with the reader, and therefore states things as fact or common sense “when in reality they were just [the author’s] own personal convictions”. I totally agree with BiblioKel on this (I couldn’t say it better).
The book is rated 4.25 on Goodreads (but only 143 ratings), so maybe there is a shared experience that I don't share. If, from the above excerpts, you think maybe you do share that experience, you may like the book. Just be aware the author is an artist, not a scientist.
June 5, 2022
Only reason this isn't a 5-star read is a bizarrely gullible couple of pages where the Uttarakhand High Court's meaningless "judgment" on according "fundamental rights" to a river was celebrated as some kind of radical adjudicatory move; but - as often happens in a situation where you know a writer has gotten something badly wrong only because you're embedded in the context they're writing about, you start to wonder what else they've gotten wrong in the book that you wouldn't know about because it's not your context.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system - the book itself is very good; longer review to follow.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system - the book itself is very good; longer review to follow.
March 26, 2022
I must have misread the blurb for this book, as it wasn't what I expected - I'd assumed it was an exploration of nonhuman sentience, specifically organic nonhuman sentience. Much of the book does indeed explore this, but the purpose is actually to consider the integration of technology into a more ecologically aware world and society.
We begin with the author trying to customise his car to make it partially self-driving - and then move onto recognising nonhuman animal sentience and intelligences. This sets the tone for the rest of the narrative, with the author interlacing the inorganic and the organic. Some truly fascinating cases are covered, and there's a sense of the unexpected throughout the book - you really have no idea what the author is going to throw at you next, from proto-Roomba "tortoise" robots to machines that model market economics using the flow of water.
I've given 4 rather than 5 stars because the long chunks of analysis in between case studies and anecdotes did sometimes become quite difficult to stay focused on, and I'm thankful that I studied more-than-human geography during my Masters, otherwise I think I would have struggled with some concepts and terms. This book has more academic than pop science DNA in it. That said, I enjoyed the book, and it's left me with plenty of profound insights to chew over.
(With thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ebook in exchange for an honest review)
We begin with the author trying to customise his car to make it partially self-driving - and then move onto recognising nonhuman animal sentience and intelligences. This sets the tone for the rest of the narrative, with the author interlacing the inorganic and the organic. Some truly fascinating cases are covered, and there's a sense of the unexpected throughout the book - you really have no idea what the author is going to throw at you next, from proto-Roomba "tortoise" robots to machines that model market economics using the flow of water.
I've given 4 rather than 5 stars because the long chunks of analysis in between case studies and anecdotes did sometimes become quite difficult to stay focused on, and I'm thankful that I studied more-than-human geography during my Masters, otherwise I think I would have struggled with some concepts and terms. This book has more academic than pop science DNA in it. That said, I enjoyed the book, and it's left me with plenty of profound insights to chew over.
(With thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ebook in exchange for an honest review)
December 27, 2022
I actually didn't know what to expect when I picked Ways of Being, I had just seen people liking it and had a feeling that I would like it (who wouldn't with that cover?!). But, I never expected what I got or that I would love it.
One of the things I take away is how extremely narrow our definition of "intelligence" is. It is more or less "is it intelligent, in the way we view humans to be intelligent." To quote Arkady Martine: "How wide is your definition of 'we'?" Bridle shows the amazing beings around us - animals or plant kingdom and how they add to the planet's wealth and perspective and ask how we can include them (more than exploiting them).
Secondly, Bridle cherishes randomness. Randomness and chaos are something we humans tend to want to remove and build systems to protect ourselves from as we want order and predictability. We even believe the "best" to come from a structural tournament style of evolution, and Bridle reminds us that natural selection only selects but need a wide random input to select the best. We _need_ randomness. Any machine learning person, can tell you that you need a wide input of data, and you need to both "exploit" (select the according-by-algo selected best option) and "explore" (test the non-by-algo selected best option) to not get an overtrained model.
Finally, Bridle talks about how computers should be designed to be less deterministic and centralized. He frames it as "Non-binary" (accepting that there isn't always a Yes/No or other binary dichotomy as an answer), "Decentralized," and "Unknowing" (accepting that one doesn't know, without being helpless). With this, a more inclusive, more equal, and less dominant output will be generated.
I must say that the biggest takeaway from the book is to widen our minds and look at the world as something not to domineer and control but to include and participate in.
(The Audible is read by James Bridle himself, which added to it, so I would recommend listening to it!)
One of the things I take away is how extremely narrow our definition of "intelligence" is. It is more or less "is it intelligent, in the way we view humans to be intelligent." To quote Arkady Martine: "How wide is your definition of 'we'?" Bridle shows the amazing beings around us - animals or plant kingdom and how they add to the planet's wealth and perspective and ask how we can include them (more than exploiting them).
Secondly, Bridle cherishes randomness. Randomness and chaos are something we humans tend to want to remove and build systems to protect ourselves from as we want order and predictability. We even believe the "best" to come from a structural tournament style of evolution, and Bridle reminds us that natural selection only selects but need a wide random input to select the best. We _need_ randomness. Any machine learning person, can tell you that you need a wide input of data, and you need to both "exploit" (select the according-by-algo selected best option) and "explore" (test the non-by-algo selected best option) to not get an overtrained model.
Finally, Bridle talks about how computers should be designed to be less deterministic and centralized. He frames it as "Non-binary" (accepting that there isn't always a Yes/No or other binary dichotomy as an answer), "Decentralized," and "Unknowing" (accepting that one doesn't know, without being helpless). With this, a more inclusive, more equal, and less dominant output will be generated.
I must say that the biggest takeaway from the book is to widen our minds and look at the world as something not to domineer and control but to include and participate in.
(The Audible is read by James Bridle himself, which added to it, so I would recommend listening to it!)
February 4, 2023
This should be a really interesting book, maybe even an important book, touching as it does on artificial intelligence and how it compares to the intelligence of humans, animals and plants. These can be fascinating topics (eg the ‘wood-wide-web first described by Dr Suzanne Simmard in 1990). But I listened to the audiobook being read by the author on Audible, and he comes across as a know-all, TED-talker reading a series of Wikipedia pages on his chosen subjects. When he touches on a subject you know something about it feels that you his knowledge comes only from book-reading (it will never catch on!) rather than from lived experience (for a great example of the latter in a popular science book - and a great antidote / comparison to James Bridle’s book - try The Hidden Life of Trees by forester Peter Wohlleben). Even worse is when Bridle drops his ‘Guardian reader’ opinions into the text, often out of context and always as ‘facts’ rather than what they are - his personal opinions (NB the Guardian newspaper acts as the script for upper-middle class, champagne-socialist dinner parties in North London). The last chapter is particularly egregious in this regard, but it happens throughout. In that last chapter we get his highly critical comments about the use of immigration detention centres in Australia and the building of West Bank (security) Wall in Israel dropped into the text from nowhere, completely out of nowhere, and (as I said), as facts. The issues isn’t whether I agree or disagree with his opinions. The issue is that a book that claims to be about science commits the biggest sin of any first year undergraduate science essay - presenting unsupported / unexplained arguments. This is either a science book or it isn’t - even if it is ‘only’ popular science - and trendy James Bridle is not science. In his way, he is a posh, liberal, Jeremy Clarkson (sorry, that will take too long to explain, if you haven’t experienced JC).
I could say ‘give this one a miss’ but that would be arrogant on my part. The ratings system tells me that lots of people love this book, and you might do so as well. But, perhaps check the one and two star reviews as well as the rest.
I could say ‘give this one a miss’ but that would be arrogant on my part. The ratings system tells me that lots of people love this book, and you might do so as well. But, perhaps check the one and two star reviews as well as the rest.
August 15, 2022
I chose this book because I thought it had an important message. Unfortunately, the author's voice is snarky, pessimistic, and his logic is very circuitous (long winded and round-about). Reading the Introduction was painful slogging. Now that he had told us what he was going to say, I hoped he would do so with more focus.
Although the author was in Greece, I found the comparison of Parnassus' drunken dancing to being close to nature and comparing it to self-driving the AI car up to the mountain peak, sadly typical of this book. Off topic, fanciful, and chapter filler. It's a practice I've heard called "going off into the weeds." When we finally got back to the logic of a neural network, I was not enchanted.
A judicious amount of editing might take several months, but this book could be so much more concise and instructive. Sadly it needs a story editor in the very best sense, because the entire thing is told as a story. A very long-winded story with a few repetitive themes and phrases that I think we all caught by the second or third time.
For example, his evaluation of our "computer mind" uses are deemed "stupid" although they are valuable in gathering data and completing tasks--both part of an AI's function. He scoffs at chess programs because they "destroy human opposition." Yet chess programs played (and continue to play) an important role in developing AI. [Newswise: AI Chess Engine Sacrifices Mastery to Mimic Human Play, 1/25/21, Cornell Univ.]
Even his views of how "we" view AI and natural intelligence differ widely from my experience as an intelligent, aware citizen of the world. Maybe I only choose to read things that tend to agree with my point of view, but the author is condescending and dictatorial; stating what everyone thinks and how very wrong they are.
The early part of the book is not a balanced view about science or even philosophy, and the rest is not a large improvement. Although science is talked about, mostly in lyrical form. At times, it is a very long essay on subjects the author finds interesting, and wishes to correct us all about. Interspersed with novel-worthy descriptions to set the scene for one event or another--such as the day he first showed the self-driving car how he drives (his method vs coding). Or tidbits (including crude things) a speaker or scientist said about a tangential subject.
But the author's focus is not on how quickly we have come so far in just 100 years. He spends an excess of time criticizing avenues of thought and experiments because--of course--they make little sense to him.
There are many fascinating facts and subjects, like plants that have demonstrated a memory of predatory sounds, and the nursery behavior of giant redwood trees toward seedlings and cooperative trees, and communication recognized between animal species, and much more.
I agree on many points that are made in this book; the incredible value and "different intelligence" of living things, the unhappy misunderstandings that have occurred.
But the experiences and thoughts of the author are not reality by association (because he says or thinks so). His negativity and gutter humor (happily not often), is not universal.
If you can read this just for the science, and hike past the stumbling blocks, then I recommend this book. Some of it is very interesting; enlightening even. But in my opinion, proverbial hiking boots, a stout walking stick, and a cabin to relax in between chapters, is required for the health of the reader.
I'm disappointed that this was written in such a pretentious way, and I cannot recommend this book to the general public without substantial editing.
2/5 Stars Great science, when you get to some.
Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publishing and NetGalley for the preview of this pdf; the review is voluntary.
#FarrarStrausandGirouxPublishing #NetGalley
#WaysofBeing #EthologyAnimal Behavior
#AIandSemantics
#AnimalBehaviorandCommunication
#Science #LifeScience #ArtificialIntelligence
#MoreThanHumanWorld
Although the author was in Greece, I found the comparison of Parnassus' drunken dancing to being close to nature and comparing it to self-driving the AI car up to the mountain peak, sadly typical of this book. Off topic, fanciful, and chapter filler. It's a practice I've heard called "going off into the weeds." When we finally got back to the logic of a neural network, I was not enchanted.
A judicious amount of editing might take several months, but this book could be so much more concise and instructive. Sadly it needs a story editor in the very best sense, because the entire thing is told as a story. A very long-winded story with a few repetitive themes and phrases that I think we all caught by the second or third time.
For example, his evaluation of our "computer mind" uses are deemed "stupid" although they are valuable in gathering data and completing tasks--both part of an AI's function. He scoffs at chess programs because they "destroy human opposition." Yet chess programs played (and continue to play) an important role in developing AI. [Newswise: AI Chess Engine Sacrifices Mastery to Mimic Human Play, 1/25/21, Cornell Univ.]
Even his views of how "we" view AI and natural intelligence differ widely from my experience as an intelligent, aware citizen of the world. Maybe I only choose to read things that tend to agree with my point of view, but the author is condescending and dictatorial; stating what everyone thinks and how very wrong they are.
The early part of the book is not a balanced view about science or even philosophy, and the rest is not a large improvement. Although science is talked about, mostly in lyrical form. At times, it is a very long essay on subjects the author finds interesting, and wishes to correct us all about. Interspersed with novel-worthy descriptions to set the scene for one event or another--such as the day he first showed the self-driving car how he drives (his method vs coding). Or tidbits (including crude things) a speaker or scientist said about a tangential subject.
But the author's focus is not on how quickly we have come so far in just 100 years. He spends an excess of time criticizing avenues of thought and experiments because--of course--they make little sense to him.
There are many fascinating facts and subjects, like plants that have demonstrated a memory of predatory sounds, and the nursery behavior of giant redwood trees toward seedlings and cooperative trees, and communication recognized between animal species, and much more.
I agree on many points that are made in this book; the incredible value and "different intelligence" of living things, the unhappy misunderstandings that have occurred.
But the experiences and thoughts of the author are not reality by association (because he says or thinks so). His negativity and gutter humor (happily not often), is not universal.
If you can read this just for the science, and hike past the stumbling blocks, then I recommend this book. Some of it is very interesting; enlightening even. But in my opinion, proverbial hiking boots, a stout walking stick, and a cabin to relax in between chapters, is required for the health of the reader.
I'm disappointed that this was written in such a pretentious way, and I cannot recommend this book to the general public without substantial editing.
2/5 Stars Great science, when you get to some.
Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publishing and NetGalley for the preview of this pdf; the review is voluntary.
#FarrarStrausandGirouxPublishing #NetGalley
#WaysofBeing #EthologyAnimal Behavior
#AIandSemantics
#AnimalBehaviorandCommunication
#Science #LifeScience #ArtificialIntelligence
#MoreThanHumanWorld
July 31, 2023
"...the enemy is not technology itself, but rather inequality and centralisation of power and knowledge, and the answer to these threats are education, diversity, and justice."
A peep through one of the largest conflict of our age—the interplay between human agency & the remarkable intelligence of machines—navigating this delicate balance, we are forced to confront the illusion of human superiority & grapple with the pressing issue of our planet's survival. In 'Ways of Being', Bridle, a writer, artist, & technologist, explores beyond the ‘more-than-human’ world. Transversing how AI & tech advances threatens our mother earth’s future. In the times where tech are shaping our lives, changing our lifestyles, altering our planet earth, the urge to reconcile with the interconnectedness of all things rises in order to create a more just, kind, & regenerative future.
How does all these things 'altering' our mother earth?
One of the examples is the birth of 'hyperaccumulator' plants that grows off toxic soils with heavy metal content (for the sake of adapting to the environment) where the plants' saps contains high concentration of metal which give rise to agromining field (yes, we do have agromining farm in Malaysia too).
Bridle expands our understanding of the vast possibilities encompassed within the concept of 'intelligence'. In the fascinating realm of knowledge, we delve into the profound lessons that;
- animals impart on us regarding the intricate workings of democracy
- plants offers that shed light on the intricate relationship between locale & tech
- microbes unveil providing invaluable wisdom on the intricate dynamics of symbiosis
- cosmos i.e., telescopes & sensors unveil the mesmerising worlds within worlds that lie beyond our reach.
It is fascinating to observe the remarkable adaptability of creatures—plants or animals—developing intricate communication systems & decision-making abilities that allow them to thrive in the face of changing environments from our doings. As we delve deeper into understanding the causal-effect, we can gain valuable insights into shaping the future of humanity & machines that have become an integral part of our lives.
One of the central themes that runs throughout the book is the notion that the true essence of life lies in the connections we forge with others, rather than the material possessions we accumulate. Through the lens of our local politics & country’s development, we’ve witnessed the immense power of connections & corrupt systems we have created ourselves. It is truly remarkable how incredible things can unfold when we embrace curiosity, actively observe & listen, whilst acknowledging the fact that we do not possess all the answers. Bridle accentuates the act of recognising the importance of adopting different perspectives & approaches in order to foster the growth of new communities and ultimately—humans, nature, & technologies—become whole. This book meant to presents a blueprint or guide in encouraging us to broaden our perspective and seek solutions to the pressing issues of our times. An incredibly captivating & thought-provoking read that delves into the depths of existentialism, leaving us hopeful for possibilities of greener, modern, yet harmonious future.
A peep through one of the largest conflict of our age—the interplay between human agency & the remarkable intelligence of machines—navigating this delicate balance, we are forced to confront the illusion of human superiority & grapple with the pressing issue of our planet's survival. In 'Ways of Being', Bridle, a writer, artist, & technologist, explores beyond the ‘more-than-human’ world. Transversing how AI & tech advances threatens our mother earth’s future. In the times where tech are shaping our lives, changing our lifestyles, altering our planet earth, the urge to reconcile with the interconnectedness of all things rises in order to create a more just, kind, & regenerative future.
How does all these things 'altering' our mother earth?
One of the examples is the birth of 'hyperaccumulator' plants that grows off toxic soils with heavy metal content (for the sake of adapting to the environment) where the plants' saps contains high concentration of metal which give rise to agromining field (yes, we do have agromining farm in Malaysia too).
Bridle expands our understanding of the vast possibilities encompassed within the concept of 'intelligence'. In the fascinating realm of knowledge, we delve into the profound lessons that;
- animals impart on us regarding the intricate workings of democracy
- plants offers that shed light on the intricate relationship between locale & tech
- microbes unveil providing invaluable wisdom on the intricate dynamics of symbiosis
- cosmos i.e., telescopes & sensors unveil the mesmerising worlds within worlds that lie beyond our reach.
It is fascinating to observe the remarkable adaptability of creatures—plants or animals—developing intricate communication systems & decision-making abilities that allow them to thrive in the face of changing environments from our doings. As we delve deeper into understanding the causal-effect, we can gain valuable insights into shaping the future of humanity & machines that have become an integral part of our lives.
One of the central themes that runs throughout the book is the notion that the true essence of life lies in the connections we forge with others, rather than the material possessions we accumulate. Through the lens of our local politics & country’s development, we’ve witnessed the immense power of connections & corrupt systems we have created ourselves. It is truly remarkable how incredible things can unfold when we embrace curiosity, actively observe & listen, whilst acknowledging the fact that we do not possess all the answers. Bridle accentuates the act of recognising the importance of adopting different perspectives & approaches in order to foster the growth of new communities and ultimately—humans, nature, & technologies—become whole. This book meant to presents a blueprint or guide in encouraging us to broaden our perspective and seek solutions to the pressing issues of our times. An incredibly captivating & thought-provoking read that delves into the depths of existentialism, leaving us hopeful for possibilities of greener, modern, yet harmonious future.
August 19, 2022
I expected to really enjoy this book. It started out OK, but then mostly became a chaotic grab bag of ideas conceived by other thinkers and writers. It's like they discovered most of these ideas in the last year and rushed to write about them; would have benefitted greatly with a year or so of editing, and maybe another year of deeply thinking about what they ultimately wanted to communicate. Great anecdotes, and some compelling moments, but ultimately not memorable.
May 21, 2022
hotly anticipated yet still surpassed and cartwheeled past all expectations
August 7, 2022
3.5 rounded down. Good, but a bit too derivative of it's sources of inspiration. I would have preferred more on theory of mind and less politics. Worthwhile.
January 3, 2025
Proliferan los libros con hongos en portada: el reino fungi como alegoría del pensamiento descentralizado y emblema de la inteligencia no humana. El texto comienza de manera natural analizando este y muchos otros: plantas, homínidos, el mundo microbial, simbiontes varios... Pasa en un segundo tramo a una perspectiva más tecnológica analizando la fotografía secuencial proporcionada por satélites, los sesgos de los lenguajes de programación y diversas extravagancias de la historia de la informática, para terminar virando hacia la política en la parte final.
La meta consiste en mostrar que los modos abstractos que conocemos como inteligencia —una concatenación de autoconciencia, teoría de la mente, comprensión emocional, creatividad, razonamiento, resolución de problemas y planificación— no son más que simples interpretaciones reduccionistas y demasiado humanas: La inteligencia es un flujo, un exceso, [...] es una interfaz para el mundo, hace que este se manifieste.
El autor es un comisario artístico y crítico tecnológico con una sobrada capacidad relacional, que toma prestrados el título y la intención de aquel Modos de ver de John Berger y que está realmente fascinado con El clamor de los bosques de Richard Powers y con la teoría cuántica-queer de Karen Barad. No obstante, tengo la sensación de estar ante uno de esos libros de ciencia pop redactado por un advenedizo con cierto tufo activista sobre asuntos coyunturales del Antropoceno; un totum revolutum compuesto de anécdotas personales en Grecia, de un encadenamiento de referencias wikipedistas, experimentos y proyectos muy bien entrelazados y de unas conclusiones, eso sí, bellas y hasta literarias. Reconozcámoslo, definitivamente logra que el lector expanda su pensamiento para hacerlo más hiperconectado, difuso y rizomático, y al final eso es lo único que importa.
La meta consiste en mostrar que los modos abstractos que conocemos como inteligencia —una concatenación de autoconciencia, teoría de la mente, comprensión emocional, creatividad, razonamiento, resolución de problemas y planificación— no son más que simples interpretaciones reduccionistas y demasiado humanas: La inteligencia es un flujo, un exceso, [...] es una interfaz para el mundo, hace que este se manifieste.
El autor es un comisario artístico y crítico tecnológico con una sobrada capacidad relacional, que toma prestrados el título y la intención de aquel Modos de ver de John Berger y que está realmente fascinado con El clamor de los bosques de Richard Powers y con la teoría cuántica-queer de Karen Barad. No obstante, tengo la sensación de estar ante uno de esos libros de ciencia pop redactado por un advenedizo con cierto tufo activista sobre asuntos coyunturales del Antropoceno; un totum revolutum compuesto de anécdotas personales en Grecia, de un encadenamiento de referencias wikipedistas, experimentos y proyectos muy bien entrelazados y de unas conclusiones, eso sí, bellas y hasta literarias. Reconozcámoslo, definitivamente logra que el lector expanda su pensamiento para hacerlo más hiperconectado, difuso y rizomático, y al final eso es lo único que importa.
June 13, 2024
I would maybe say 4.5, but I think this book had some revolutionary ideas and I think it put them together a little more cleanly than the fluke book. This book had real solutions rather than simply explaining how something should work. The central thesis of this book is that we should grant being or “personhood” to everything that exists, on earth or otherwise. We have to stop looking at ourselves in isolation from other things. This creation of otherness is the root of nearly every problem that society faces. And yes, this includes every thing, not just every living thing. This part really shocked me, giving personhood to rocks? Really? But the way he sees it if rocks impact us and we impact rocks, we are a part of an interconnected system. When we look at animals, he proposes some common sense ways that we can allow animals, like us and otherwise to essentially live their best lives. Same for plants, and the thing is that it’s better for everyone to make life better for everyone. Our current strategy of humans first isn’t even working for humans. Things like wildlife corridors will drastically improve collision rates for human traffic and the quality of life and genetic diversity of animal populations that need to cross busy highways. Some of his other points come from meeting animals and plants where they are and instead of saying how are they like us, figure out what they are best at and how that interacts with us. It’s all about meeting an individual in their unique environment and understanding them from their perspective. The second thing is that interaction is key. The key to everything is understanding how things interact and what that means for both parties.
Interestingly to me, both the fluke book and this one bring up the importance of randomness. Randomness is arguably the most important thing governing our lives. In hitchhikers guide to the galaxy the answer should have been randomness and it would work for nearly every question. And I don’t mean probability, I mean true randomness, on a quantum level. The things that broke the Turing machine and that render computers useless. People are worried that AI will take over, not till they can, without using the natural world, create randomness. No computer that exists today can generate true randomness without input from naturally occurring randomness via from weather or similar occurrences. What’s crazy is that for problems that do not have a model that can be applied, using randomness as your model works better than even the most complex formula. We need to be using this more. We must abandon our notion of order and embrace randomness. This may be a stretch, but I wonder if true randomness is the divine, the ineffable, or at least enabled by something we have yet to comprehend.
Interestingly to me, both the fluke book and this one bring up the importance of randomness. Randomness is arguably the most important thing governing our lives. In hitchhikers guide to the galaxy the answer should have been randomness and it would work for nearly every question. And I don’t mean probability, I mean true randomness, on a quantum level. The things that broke the Turing machine and that render computers useless. People are worried that AI will take over, not till they can, without using the natural world, create randomness. No computer that exists today can generate true randomness without input from naturally occurring randomness via from weather or similar occurrences. What’s crazy is that for problems that do not have a model that can be applied, using randomness as your model works better than even the most complex formula. We need to be using this more. We must abandon our notion of order and embrace randomness. This may be a stretch, but I wonder if true randomness is the divine, the ineffable, or at least enabled by something we have yet to comprehend.
November 4, 2022
Listened to the audiobook, read by the author. I hoped this would be stimulating but instead found it bewildering. I am not certain what the author meant this book's thesis or purpose to be. At first the subject seemed to be better understanding of intelligence, human or non-human, and in some places interesting facts are raised; but rather than expanding or explaining those facts further, the book gives lots of the author's value judgments about the status quo of human civilization and technology and apparent plans to save the world from itself. Interesting though individual sections were, it was not clear to this reader how they collectively made a point; there seemed to be an assumption of the readers' a priori agreement with the author's perceptions and viewpoints. It was like being trapped with a compulsive talker who rambles through a dizzying flood of assertions and every so often shouts "You see?" expecting you to see something because that's what he sees. I still think there are many importantly interesting things raised in the book, but other authors are helping me to understand them better and this book in the end does not.
September 11, 2022
An important and up-to-date book that everyone who has any interest in intelligence, AI, ecology and living with rather than in spite of nature should read. It picks up a lot of interesting threads and anecdotes to illustrate the problems of our anthropocentric idea of the world and use of technology. It goes on to give some examples for how it could be different, how we could use technology not to exploit and control, but to understand and collaborate with nature.
October 23, 2023
I find this to be pseudo intellectual nonsense. Author uses emotionally charged words to attribute intellect and agency to inanimate objects and concepts. It’s maddening. Computers are human made tools. They do what they are programmed to do. This book is science fiction. There’s enough paranoia in the world.
September 22, 2022
Didn't seem to get off the ground. Meandered and summarized other findings and studies. Didn't bring forward any novel thoughts.
March 25, 2025
This is an eye-opening and important book about the need to recognise and learn from other ways of thinking. It will challenge your perceptions about the non-human world, pulling you in all manner of directions in the process.
Ultimately it is a piece of political theory with arguments made about how we should organise or challenge our human relationships. However, I didn't feel these were particularly well tied together with the breadth of topics covered. Very wide, but not necessarily that deep. I hope it lays the groundwork for others to explore the subject more, which I suspect is the reader's intention.
Ultimately it is a piece of political theory with arguments made about how we should organise or challenge our human relationships. However, I didn't feel these were particularly well tied together with the breadth of topics covered. Very wide, but not necessarily that deep. I hope it lays the groundwork for others to explore the subject more, which I suspect is the reader's intention.
August 1, 2022
I'm giving this 5 stars, with the full awareness that I've probably not fully understood it, and need to give it more thought.
In the first place, it's a thoroughly entertaining book, full of fascinating case studies, none of which are explained in anything other than layman's terms, and should be read in that spirit (firstly).
Secondly, I think, reviewing my notes and highlights, that there's a couple of important concepts in here.
Trivially, that non-human intelligence is not the only form of intelligence. This is, obviously, the entire point of the book. Whilst I get it, on an abstract level, I start to get sceptical when talking about computers. At the time I read it, the whole "Google employee asks chatbot whether it's sentient, Chatbot replies 'Yes', Google employee: holy f*ck!" discourse was going on, soo...not sure.
Putting that to one side, there's a concept that intelligence is tied up with "doing", or "reacting", that I think is quite key. There's some cybernetic theory buried in the book, and some Daoist theory (they're kinda the same, "from a certain perspective"), in that reacting to actually existing circumstances is a true measure of intelligence.
In that sense, there's an underlying current of more actionable insight, that adapting to the world as it is is more powerful (butchering a quote here) than trying to mold it to your desires, and is more likely to yield results.
There's also a concrete belief that technology (not just "computers", but controlling agriculture etc) is not necessarily the enemy, but that the way it currently is used, by centralising control, is the enemy. By decentralising control, it can be a powerful force for good.
In the first place, it's a thoroughly entertaining book, full of fascinating case studies, none of which are explained in anything other than layman's terms, and should be read in that spirit (firstly).
Secondly, I think, reviewing my notes and highlights, that there's a couple of important concepts in here.
Trivially, that non-human intelligence is not the only form of intelligence. This is, obviously, the entire point of the book. Whilst I get it, on an abstract level, I start to get sceptical when talking about computers. At the time I read it, the whole "Google employee asks chatbot whether it's sentient, Chatbot replies 'Yes', Google employee: holy f*ck!" discourse was going on, soo...not sure.
Putting that to one side, there's a concept that intelligence is tied up with "doing", or "reacting", that I think is quite key. There's some cybernetic theory buried in the book, and some Daoist theory (they're kinda the same, "from a certain perspective"), in that reacting to actually existing circumstances is a true measure of intelligence.
In that sense, there's an underlying current of more actionable insight, that adapting to the world as it is is more powerful (butchering a quote here) than trying to mold it to your desires, and is more likely to yield results.
There's also a concrete belief that technology (not just "computers", but controlling agriculture etc) is not necessarily the enemy, but that the way it currently is used, by centralising control, is the enemy. By decentralising control, it can be a powerful force for good.
August 16, 2022
This was an excellent exploration into the idea of intelligence beyond that of humanity's own flawed perception of it. I didn't have a ton of knowledge walking into this book (I shelved it because Cory Doctorow recommended it on Twitter), and I was taken by the viral image of the trapped autonomous vehicle.
What I didn't expect was a very well-researched and convincing argument for the personhood of AI and animals. Bridle builds to a strong thesis over the course of this book, and it benefits his argument immensely. If he led with "animals are people too," frankly I would have been dismissive of the book. But through his descriptions of both the ways that animals, plants, and the entire living (and even the nonliving) world around us displays intelligence, I was convinced that his core argument is valuable, and this challenged my own notions of self.
I'm writing this review a few days after finishing the book, so the thoughts are less coherent than I'd like, but suffice it to say that Bridle is worth reading (or listening to). His arguments deconstruct humanity's view of itself not to make us question our self-worth, but to make the case for equity and treating both non-human persons and systemically-suppressed humans with care and, for the lack of a better word, humanity.
What I didn't expect was a very well-researched and convincing argument for the personhood of AI and animals. Bridle builds to a strong thesis over the course of this book, and it benefits his argument immensely. If he led with "animals are people too," frankly I would have been dismissive of the book. But through his descriptions of both the ways that animals, plants, and the entire living (and even the nonliving) world around us displays intelligence, I was convinced that his core argument is valuable, and this challenged my own notions of self.
I'm writing this review a few days after finishing the book, so the thoughts are less coherent than I'd like, but suffice it to say that Bridle is worth reading (or listening to). His arguments deconstruct humanity's view of itself not to make us question our self-worth, but to make the case for equity and treating both non-human persons and systemically-suppressed humans with care and, for the lack of a better word, humanity.
January 13, 2024
What a potentially cool topic wasted on an epic failure.
The author is not a scientist. It seemed that he does not have a good idea about structuring a book, and what he wants to tell. It is a collection of unorganized pieces of information and somehow he thought it’s a brilliant idea to write a book.
I consider this book as a confession of his own revelation about “humans are part of the nature and we are not superior& we are not the only beings with intelligence”- Ouch, that must have been a hurtful discovery. He kept saying “we”. Who is “we” he is talking about? Himself?
He realized plants are important.
He realized other animals have different intelligence.
He understood quantum physics after one lecture.
He thinks all computers are AI and AI is evil.
Boyyyy, doesn’t he live on “the delusional cloud”.
A Lesson learned: Don’t buy a science book written by a social media influencer.
The author is not a scientist. It seemed that he does not have a good idea about structuring a book, and what he wants to tell. It is a collection of unorganized pieces of information and somehow he thought it’s a brilliant idea to write a book.
I consider this book as a confession of his own revelation about “humans are part of the nature and we are not superior& we are not the only beings with intelligence”- Ouch, that must have been a hurtful discovery. He kept saying “we”. Who is “we” he is talking about? Himself?
He realized plants are important.
He realized other animals have different intelligence.
He understood quantum physics after one lecture.
He thinks all computers are AI and AI is evil.
Boyyyy, doesn’t he live on “the delusional cloud”.
A Lesson learned: Don’t buy a science book written by a social media influencer.
October 24, 2023
A western version of Blockchain Chicken Farm. Hahah, the style is similar as it explores different socio-technical political ecologies & umwelts (ish models of the universe). Interesting thoughts on randomness & Turing’s o-machine, or oracle machine — an intelligence is that not a machine, because of its need for an intervention of randomness, of nature.
I thought the experience he describes of fractals in the world — measuring the coastline, defining species, etc— was super exciting. complexity only increases as we get closer / have more information. Life is this reality entirely!! There’s only ever more people to consult more, etc.
I thought the experience he describes of fractals in the world — measuring the coastline, defining species, etc— was super exciting. complexity only increases as we get closer / have more information. Life is this reality entirely!! There’s only ever more people to consult more, etc.
July 9, 2024
This was a beautiful book making the case for the neccessity of humanity's connection to itself, technology, and the "more than human world" of plants, animals, and other intelligences that we coexist with and rely upon. Bridle has quickly become one of my favorite writers and philosophers. He has a gentleness that he uses to touch subjects and people carefully but deeply, a reverence for the unknown, and an unquenchable curiosity that he's not afraid to direct toward any person, subject or idea to further make the case for his ideas. His ability to weave together stories, ideas, people, and processes is beautiful to witness.
I strongly recommend that every human read this book.
I strongly recommend that every human read this book.
February 5, 2024
It is an enjoyable read full of fun facts that I have been sharing widely with friends. However, at the end of it, I couldn't tell if the author was simply making the point that we need to be careful about how we live life on this planet, in which case I fully agree, or something else that I never really fully understood after 300+ pages.
July 5, 2024
An interesting and informative read. Part education, part storytelling, part call for justice. A compelling case for the more than human world.
In some ways this felt like the Western/data driven version of "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
In some ways this felt like the Western/data driven version of "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
November 25, 2022
A drag at points, and I wish the author did more to assist the reader in making some of the connections, but the final chapters were worth it. The only way forward is together.
June 14, 2022
I removed a star for the simple fact that a large part of the book is about animal rights and their rights to the land, but at the same time does not really touch on factory farming, etc.
Hugely interesting book otherwise. The sections on 'true' randomness in computers, and alternatives to the silicon/processor type computers we use today are endlessly fascinating.
Hugely interesting book otherwise. The sections on 'true' randomness in computers, and alternatives to the silicon/processor type computers we use today are endlessly fascinating.
December 16, 2022
Not nearly as engaging or critically thoughtful as Bridle’s NEW DARK AGE. I was looking for more analyses of power but Bridle seems to fall back mostly on a “folk politics” of a sort and offers no real suggestions for how that folk politics overcomes real exercised power.
June 17, 2023
This was a random find for me in an indie book store and it ended up being one of the most thought-provoking books I've read. Drawing from both ecology and technology (as well as numerous other fields), Bridle demonstrates wonderfully that we humans, are in fact, not the center of the universe.
December 29, 2024
Ways of Being critiques the anthropocentric mindset that places humans above all other life forms, examining non-human intelligences—from animals and plants to machines. Bridle presents ideas about cooperation, solidarity, and coexistence, drawing on scientific discoveries, philosophical reflections, and intriguing anecdotes—encouraging readers to rethink their relationship with the world and what it means to share it with other forms of intelligence.
The book does a good job of highlighting the power of diversity—something that dominant cultural and economic systems often fail to recognise. Bridle argues that true diversity, whether biological, intellectual, or social, is a fundamental force for resilience and innovation.
Yet, while his ideas clearly align with movements like feminism, equity and inclusion efforts, and veganism, he avoids naming them or confronting their most contentious issues. For example, he critiques human domination over non-human lives, using examples like apes, whales, and elephants, etc. (the species humans find easiest to relate to, ironically), but never addresses factory farming—the most pervasive and systemic form of animal exploitation today. This omission may reflect a strategic attempt to make his arguments more accessible to a broader audience, but it also softens the critique’s radical edge.
Additionally, while Bridle critiques human domination and superiority effectively, these characteristics are often treated in isolation, without fully addressing their systemic roots in patriarchy and capitalism. This limits the book’s impact, as it primarily suggests abstract shifts in thinking without clear pathways for challenging the systems that perpetuate domination. Recognising these systemic connections could have helped readers move beyond reflection and toward tangible ways of contributing to change.
Overall, Ways of Being is an engaging thought experiment that combines interesting insights with a strong ethical message. It encourages readers to decenter humanity and embrace a cooperative, interconnected existence, while making a compelling case for movements that challenge traditional hierarchies and advocate for diversity. That said, the book did drag out at times, which might test the patience of some readers. Still, it remains a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in intelligence, diversity, and the future of life on Earth.
The book does a good job of highlighting the power of diversity—something that dominant cultural and economic systems often fail to recognise. Bridle argues that true diversity, whether biological, intellectual, or social, is a fundamental force for resilience and innovation.
Yet, while his ideas clearly align with movements like feminism, equity and inclusion efforts, and veganism, he avoids naming them or confronting their most contentious issues. For example, he critiques human domination over non-human lives, using examples like apes, whales, and elephants, etc. (the species humans find easiest to relate to, ironically), but never addresses factory farming—the most pervasive and systemic form of animal exploitation today. This omission may reflect a strategic attempt to make his arguments more accessible to a broader audience, but it also softens the critique’s radical edge.
Additionally, while Bridle critiques human domination and superiority effectively, these characteristics are often treated in isolation, without fully addressing their systemic roots in patriarchy and capitalism. This limits the book’s impact, as it primarily suggests abstract shifts in thinking without clear pathways for challenging the systems that perpetuate domination. Recognising these systemic connections could have helped readers move beyond reflection and toward tangible ways of contributing to change.
Overall, Ways of Being is an engaging thought experiment that combines interesting insights with a strong ethical message. It encourages readers to decenter humanity and embrace a cooperative, interconnected existence, while making a compelling case for movements that challenge traditional hierarchies and advocate for diversity. That said, the book did drag out at times, which might test the patience of some readers. Still, it remains a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in intelligence, diversity, and the future of life on Earth.
December 13, 2023
Dit boek staat vol gave natuurhistorische feiten die tonen dat de menselijke kijk op de wereld best beperkt is en dat we veel kunnen leren van de ‘more-than-human world’:
- Menselijke intelligentie is één vorm van intelligentie, maar niet de enige. Wanneer we een intelligentietest doen bij gibbons waarbij eten op de grond ligt, reageren ze daar niet nieuwsgierig of probleemoplossend op. Wanneer het eten vanaf het plafond hangt wél. Waarom? Gibbons vinden in de natuur hun eten niet op de grond, maar wel in bomen. Hun ‘umwelt’ is anders dan de onze!
- Slijmzwammen kunnen gebruikt worden om ruimtelijke netwerken te optimaliseren: binnen 26 uur hadden onderzoekers hiermee het Tokyo spoorwegnet gecreëerd; sneller dan computermodellen.
- Planten hebben geen oren of brein zoals wij, maar uit proeven blijkt dat sommige kunnen ‘horen’ en andere ‘herinneren’.
- Als we het samenzijn van dieren observeren, kunnen we a.d.h.v. hun gemeenschappelijke gedrag natuurrampen van te voren voorspellen.
- Er zijn planten die metalen opnemen uit de aarde; hiermee maken ze vervuilde grond schoon en de metalen kunnen uit hun sap ‘gedolven’ worden.
- Degene die het meest bij mij blijft hangen: met de huidige snelheid van klimaatverandering moeten planten 115cm per dag (!) noordwaarts trekken om in dezelfde omstandigheden te blijven. En hoewel sommige planten kunnen horen of herinneren, kunnen ze niet wandelen……
De mens is zichzelf als verheven gaan zien, maar alles toont aan: we moeten onszelf náást dieren, planten en schimmels zien en onszelf zien als deel van het systeem.
- Menselijke intelligentie is één vorm van intelligentie, maar niet de enige. Wanneer we een intelligentietest doen bij gibbons waarbij eten op de grond ligt, reageren ze daar niet nieuwsgierig of probleemoplossend op. Wanneer het eten vanaf het plafond hangt wél. Waarom? Gibbons vinden in de natuur hun eten niet op de grond, maar wel in bomen. Hun ‘umwelt’ is anders dan de onze!
- Slijmzwammen kunnen gebruikt worden om ruimtelijke netwerken te optimaliseren: binnen 26 uur hadden onderzoekers hiermee het Tokyo spoorwegnet gecreëerd; sneller dan computermodellen.
- Planten hebben geen oren of brein zoals wij, maar uit proeven blijkt dat sommige kunnen ‘horen’ en andere ‘herinneren’.
- Als we het samenzijn van dieren observeren, kunnen we a.d.h.v. hun gemeenschappelijke gedrag natuurrampen van te voren voorspellen.
- Er zijn planten die metalen opnemen uit de aarde; hiermee maken ze vervuilde grond schoon en de metalen kunnen uit hun sap ‘gedolven’ worden.
- Degene die het meest bij mij blijft hangen: met de huidige snelheid van klimaatverandering moeten planten 115cm per dag (!) noordwaarts trekken om in dezelfde omstandigheden te blijven. En hoewel sommige planten kunnen horen of herinneren, kunnen ze niet wandelen……
De mens is zichzelf als verheven gaan zien, maar alles toont aan: we moeten onszelf náást dieren, planten en schimmels zien en onszelf zien als deel van het systeem.
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