Gödel, Escher, Bach [antikvár]

Words of Thanks This book was brewing in my mind over a period of probably nearly twenty years—ever since I was thirteen and thinking about how I thought in English and French. And even before that, there were clear signs of my main-line interest. I remember that at some early age, there was nothing more fascinadng to me than the idea of taking three 3's: operating upon 3 with itself! I was sure that this idea was so subtle that it was inconceivable to anyone else—but I dared ask my mother one day how big it was anyway, and she answered "Nine". I wasn't sure she knew what I meant, though. Later, my father initiated me into the mysteries of square roots, and i . . . I owe more to my parents than to anyone else. They have been pillars of support I could rely on at all times. They have guided me, inspired me, encouraged me, and sustained me. Most of all, they have always believed in me. It is to them that this book is dedicated. To two friends of many years—Robert Boeninger, Peter Jones—I owe special thanks, for they helped mold a million ways of thought, and their influences and ideas are spread all around in this book. To Charles Brenner, I am much indebted for his having taught me to program when we were both young, and for his constant pushing and prodding—implicit praise—and occasional criticism. I am pleased to acknowledge the immense influence of Ernest Nagel, a long-time friend and mentor. I loved "Nagel and Newman", and I have learned much from many conversations, long ago in Vermont and more recently in New York. Howard DeLong, through his book, reawakened in me a long-dormant love of the matters in this book. I truly owe him a great debt. David Jonathan Justman taught me what it is to be a Tortoise—an ingenious, persistent, and humorous being, with a fondness for paradox and contradiction. I hope that he will read and enjoy this book, which owes a great deal to him. Scott Kim has exerted a gigantic influence on me. Ever since we met some two and a half years ago, the resonance between the two of us has been incredible. Aside from his tangible contributions of art, music, humor, analogies, and so on—including much-appreciated volunteer labor at crucial times—Scott has contributed new perspectives and insights which have changed my own views of my endeavor as it has evolved. If anyone understands this book, it is Scott. For advice on matters of large scale or small, I have turned repeatedly to Don Byrd, who knows this book forwards and backwards and every which way He has an unerring sense for its overall goals and structure, and time and again has given me good ideas which I have delightedly incorporated. My only regret is that I won't be able to include all the future ideas Don will come up with, once the book is in print. And let me not