Pierre A. I. Wijkman
Where am I?
Presentation
I am a Ph.D in computer science and work as an assistant professor at The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences», Stockholm University», Stockholm, Sweden. Here I teach, do research and some other fun things. Why do I work at a university? For me, it is because:
- It is a place for free open creative thinking, similar in spirit to open source coding
- There is time (and space) for self learning
- You meet many intelligent and creative students
The best way to contact me is by email to pierre "at" dsv.su.se.
Teaching
Courses»:
- Programmering för Internet»
- Programmering för mobiler»
- Webbutveckling I»
- Webbutveckling II»
- Thesis work»
Research
My focus is on adaptivity and various sorts of technical matters dealing with computers. My interest for computers and adaptivity started early in my life. I began programming computers at the age of 14 and I read "Computers and the Human Mind: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" by Fink at the same time. When I read about Samuels self-learning checker playing program there was no way out :-). I have since then tried to understand real adaptivity and ... I still do :-).
Can we fully understand adaptivity? If we describe or formalize adaptivity we are limiting the phenomena to a more specific function but is not adaptivity the very process that gets out of every such restriction? Are we defining adaptivity now? :-) Can anyone define the concept of concept?
Other areas of interest are consciousness, Maxwell's demon, non-linear systems, metaphysics, theories of everything, foundations of quantum mechanics, consciousness, free will and other philosophical stuff. I do not like determinism and dualism :-).
Hobbies
My favorite hobby is to activate my body. I have exercised since the age of 5 and I mostly bodybuild, run, swim and bicycle. I love exercising! I also read a lot of books and science magazines, especially in complexity, physics, biology and computer science. My favorite books are:
- "At Home in The Universe" by Kauffman (Viking)
- "How Nature Works" by Bak (Springer-Verlag)
- "Gödel Escher Bach" by Hofstadter (Basic Books)
- "The Computational Beaty of Nature" by Flake (A Bradford Book)
I also love to go to the theme park riding roller coaster, free fall and everything else that wakes you up. Wow!
