xiv

Preface to the First Edition

Indeed, I would go further to remark that I believe that there are still comparatively

simple things to be discovered and that many of the present directions of work in the

field may turn out not to be right. Hence, at this stage in its development the most

important thing is to facilitate that viewpoint that will facilitate new discoveries.

This belief also underlies the somewhat more detailed coverage of the biological

processes in which information processing in nature is embodied than might be

considered customary.

A work of this nature depends on a long history of interactions, discussions,

and correspondence with many present and erstwhile friends and colleagues, some

of whom, sadly, are no longer alive. I have tried to reflect some of this debt in

the citations. Furthermore, many scientific subjects and methods other than those

mentioned in the text had to be explored before the ones best suited to the purpose

of this work could be selected, and my thanks are due to all those who helped in

these preliminary studies. I should like to add an especial word of thanks to Victoria

Kechekhmadze for having so ably drawn the figures.

Buckingham, UK

January 2004

Jeremy Ramsden