Book tips - Technical novels
Technical Novels
An Abap introduction for the sandy beach, an advanced SolMan for the campfire? As travel literature for the summer, this time we have not reached quite so deep into the shelves of classic SAP specialist literature, but are serving you somewhat lighter fare. When fiction deals with technology topics, there is often some criticism of current or expected developments. For example, the authors of the books presented this time raise the question of the extent to which big data solutions in conjunction with artificial intelligence will influence political or individual decisions in the future. It is up to everyone to decide whether they perceive technology today as more manipulative than ever before or whether they take a positive view of developments and contribute to making good things even better.
" The world is a book. If you never travel, you only see one side of it. " -Augustine Aureliuss
Source: E-3 Magazine - July/August 2017 issue
Helix - They will replace us
The US Secretary of State dies during a state visit to Munich. During the autopsy, a strange mark is found on his heart. Employees of an international chemical company discover useful plants and animals that cannot actually exist. At the same time, Helen and Greg, who are unable to conceive naturally, turn to a fertility clinic in California. The doctor gives them hope and even explains that he can significantly improve their child's genetic make-up.
Mirror
Like digital mirror images, mirrors always know what their owners want, feel and need. They subtly control people's behavior and ensure that everyone feels comfortable. When journalist Freya notices that her mirror is behaving strangely, she begins to wonder what power these devices have. Then she meets Andy, who is autistic, and discovers that the mirrors are increasingly interfering in their owners' lives - even against their will.
Dark Web: Thriller
Will intelligent machines make politics? Yvonne Hofstetter sees clear signs of these developments. Big Data stores our behavior, artificial intelligences analyze our intentions. And because they know us, they can manipulate us, patronize us imperceptibly. The transformation of society into the dominion of artificial intelligence is well underway. We have never democratically voted on whether we actually want it.
As far as we know
When a London banker opens his door, he is startled by the vagrant standing in front of him. Then he recognizes his lost fellow student Zafar, once a promising mathematical genius. The two once had a lot in common: both are migrant children, both highly gifted. But the narrator comes from the educated elite, Zafar's parents are untouchables... Now Zafar wants to confess a debt, and he promises to tell the world this story for him.
Power
Richard Kraft, professor of rhetoric in Tübingen, is invited to Silicon Valley to take part in a scientific competition. Based on Leibniz's answer to the question of theodicy, Kraft is asked to give an 18-minute presentation explaining why everything that exists is good and why we can still improve it. One million dollars will be awarded for the best answer.
