About the Book:
I Am Machine is an intriguing exploration of what it means to be human—and whether we truly have free will.
This thought-provoking narrative will ignite your imagination while causing you to question what drives your own actions and decisions. Whether you’re interested in philosophy and science fiction or simply curious about the human experience, I Am Machine will engage your brain in a way unlike any other book in your personal library.
Written from the perspective of an alien visitor to Earth named Ramona Black Hole, I Am Machine rationalizes human existence in the context of a universe filled with life. Throughout the book, Ramona, leader of the globular cluster Messier 13 galactic exploration team, describes life on Earth in the context of her prior planetary experiences, including those with other extraterrestrials she’s encountered.
Although Ramona isn’t human, she has a lot of the same questions about life that humans have grappled with since their evolution on Earth. What does it mean to be alive? How much control do we truly have over our lives? What else is out there? Are there parallel universes and alternative realities that we aren’t aware of? Just what is possible in infinite space? Ramona has traveled broadly in our galaxy, the Milky Way, and shares her hypotheses about life and free will, but it’s up to you to decide what you think the universe holds.
Author Bios:
Lex Van der Ploeg’s religious upbringing led him to search for answers to the meaning of life, which inspired the publication of I Am Machine. Lex is actively involved in writing a series of novels on the philosophy of life from a scientific, physics, and mathematical perspective. Having worked as a tenured faculty member at Columbia University as well as in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Lex’s expertise has included the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases.
Raymond van Aalst graduated cum laude from several art academies in the Netherlands and started an illustration company in 1980. He creates, sells, and publishes oil paintings, lithographs, etchings, cartoons, and drawings worldwide. As a gifted dreamer, Raymond is able to quickly conjure up and process complex images. His curiosity and broad interests have made him a visual intellectual with philosophical depth, where thinking through illustrations enabled by words helps clarify insights for himself and for others.
Lex Van der Ploeg and Raymond van Aalst have also published the satirical illustrated comic titled God’s Retirement: Lesson Zero. This book, which further explores life and religion, is available for purchase on Amazon.