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Coding the Cosmos: Does Reality Emerge From Simple Computations?

World Science Festival・143 minutes read

Brian Green and Steph Wolfram discuss rethinking fundamental laws of the universe, exploring whether a unique set of laws governs everything or if all possible laws exist simultaneously, intertwining scientific and philosophical concepts. Wolfram's computational language helps represent various phenomena, such as gas molecules, within the universe, emphasizing the role of computational limitations and complexity in understanding the world.

Insights

  • Physics aims to understand the fundamental laws of the universe, with various theories developed over time like general relativity and quantum mechanics.
  • Steph Wolfram's work intertwines scientific and philosophical concepts, creating a computational language to represent vast possibilities and phenomena.
  • Observers like us are computationally bounded, simplifying complex phenomena due to limitations, influencing our perception of time and space.
  • The "ruad" concept represents all possible computations and rules, suggesting a larger reality beyond current understanding, aligning with principles from 20th-century physics.
  • Quantum mechanics involves branching histories in a giant network, with multi-way graphs describing branching and merging structures applicable beyond physics.

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Recent questions

  • What is the goal of physics according to Albert Einstein?

    The goal of physics, as articulated by Albert Einstein, is to understand the fundamental laws of the universe. This involves developing theories like general relativity, quantum mechanics, and string theory to explain physical reality and explore whether there is a unique set of laws governing the universe or if all possible laws exist simultaneously. Physicists aim to describe the world in a way that makes sense to computationally bounded observers, using equations like general relativity and quantum mechanics as tools for understanding rather than objective laws.

  • What is the concept of the "ruad" in physics?

    The "ruad" is an abstract concept representing the entangled limit of all possible computations, encompassing all possible rules and inputs. It is akin to the principle of fecundity and Max Tegmark's idea of all possible mathematical structures, suggesting a larger reality beyond our current understanding. Observers within the "ruad" perceive and interact with the construct, aligning with principles from 20th-century physics. The concept aims to represent the underlying essence of all possible reality and provides a foundation for further exploration and understanding in the field of mathematical physics.

  • How does computational irreducibility impact problem-solving in physics?

    Computational irreducibility refers to the concept where solving equations does not equate to solving problems due to the necessity of running each step in computational processes. This complexity is evident in phenomena like the second law of Thermodynamics, where human computational limitations and the role of time and observation shape our understanding of complex systems. Newton's acknowledgment of computational difficulty in predicting planetary motion highlights the concept of irreducible computational complexity, emphasizing the challenges in problem-solving within physics.

  • What is the significance of dimension fluctuations in the universe?

    Dimension fluctuations in the universe play a crucial role in understanding its evolution and structure. The universe likely began as infinite-dimensional, gradually cooling to effectively three-dimensional. Detecting these fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background poses a significant physics challenge, requiring extensive experimental work. The expansion of the universe, visible in animations, reflects the creation of new nodes over time and may challenge the distinction between discrete and continuous space. These fluctuations influence the elementary length parameter in models, impacting the structure of space and potentially leading to leftover areas with non-three-dimensional characteristics.

  • How does quantum mechanics involve branching and merging structures?

    Quantum mechanics involves observing many branches of history, with different possible orderings of updates leading to different microscopic histories. Multi-way graphs describe branching and merging structures in the universe, applicable across various fields beyond physics. Observers in quantum mechanics aggregate information, with different types of measurements like aggregation and weighing balances. Understanding the dynamics of measurement in quantum mechanics involves establishing equivalences and fitting results into a single thread of experience. The concept of merging is crucial in differentiating quantum mechanics from the many worlds interpretation, showcasing the complexity of quantum phenomena.

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Summary

00:00

"Rethinking Universe's Laws: Wolfram's Computational Language"

  • Brian Green and Steph Wolfram are having a live discussion from Columbia University's physics department.
  • The conversation focuses on Steph Wolfram's recent work in rethinking fundamental laws of the universe.
  • The goal of physics is to understand the fundamental laws of the universe, as articulated by Albert Einstein.
  • Over the years, various theories like general relativity, quantum mechanics, and string theory have been developed to explain physical reality.
  • The discussion aims to explore whether there is a unique set of laws governing the universe or if all possible laws exist simultaneously.
  • Steph Wolfram has been developing ideas that intertwine scientific and philosophical concepts.
  • Wolfram's work involves creating a computational language to represent the vast possibilities of computation.
  • Mathematica, a tool developed by Wolfram, allows for complex computations that would be challenging without such technology.
  • The goal of Wolfram's work is to provide a computational language for thinking about various phenomena.
  • The conversation delves into the idea of whether different entities, like extraterrestrial civilizations or natural phenomena, have similar computational bases.

15:51

"Bound Observers Navigate Laws of Physics"

  • Observers like us are bound by the core laws of 20th-century physics, which are inevitable due to our computational limitations, belief in persistence through time, and relative size in the universe.
  • Our perception of time and space is influenced by our computational limitations, with our brains processing information on a different timescale compared to the speed of light.
  • The laws of physics, including statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, are not optional but are essential features for observers like us to understand the world.
  • Being computationally bounded restricts our ability to comprehend the vast computations occurring in the universe, leading to simplification and generalization of complex phenomena.
  • A non-computationally bounded observer would have the capacity to track and predict the behavior of individual gas molecules, unlike us who simplify the concept to pressure and temperature.
  • The future of the universe, including the concept of a heat death, is perceived differently by computationally unbounded observers who can track the history and behavior of every molecule.
  • Exploring concept space beyond human understanding reveals the vastness of possible concepts, with progress in science and mathematics expanding our paradigms and intellectual horizons.
  • The goal of scientists is to describe the world in a way that makes sense to computationally bounded observers, with equations like general relativity and quantum mechanics serving as tools for understanding rather than objective laws.
  • The "ruad" is an abstract concept representing the entangled limit of all possible computations, a unique and inevitable object that encompasses all possible rules and inputs.
  • The ruad is akin to the principle of fecundity and Max Tegmark's idea of all possible mathematical structures, suggesting that a larger reality exists beyond our current understanding, with the ruad encompassing all possible computations and rules.

30:06

"Constructs and Concepts in Science and Philosophy"

  • The development of constructs and concepts in science has led to philosophical and theological discussions, bridging centuries-old ideas with modern science.
  • The concept of the ruad is a precise and well-defined construct that aims to represent the underlying essence of all possible reality.
  • Observers within the ruad, made from the same material as the ruad itself, perceive and interact with the construct, aligning with principles from 20th-century physics.
  • Mathematical physics provides tools to discuss observer perception within the ruad, utilizing concepts like reference frames from relativity and measurements from quantum mechanics.
  • The confidence in quantum mechanics stems from the ability to calculate phenomena like scattering amplitudes or the bending of starlight with high precision, aligning with observed outcomes.
  • In the realm of general relativity, calculations of events like the merging of black holes show agreement with predictions, utilizing discrete structures of spacetime for computational accuracy.
  • The model's ability to reproduce standard quantum information and optimize quantum circuits efficiently showcases its potential in quantum mechanics.
  • Challenges remain in determining the spectrum of particles like electrons and photons within the model, likening particles to eddies on a fluid surface.
  • The model has shown remarkable consistency with observable physics, requiring no adjustments or tweaks to align with experimental data.
  • The model's correspondence with various mathematical physics approaches like causal set theory and spin networks provides a foundation for further exploration and understanding in the field.

44:34

"Quantum Mechanics: Paths of History and Space"

  • Quantum mechanics involves many possible paths of history, not definite events.
  • Quantum information-style quantum mechanics looks at different paths of history for the whole universe.
  • Quantum field theory deals with spatial degrees of freedom and scattering processes.
  • Motion is non-trivial in models, derived for particles which carry identity through time and space.
  • Space is made of discrete atoms, related in a network representing the universe.
  • Particles are topologically knotted pieces of the network, maintaining identity.
  • Einstein and other physicists believed space was discrete at the beginning of the 20th century.
  • Time is the progress of computation, defined by rules applied to the network.
  • Large-scale behavior of the network leads to Einstein's equations for space-time.
  • Energy density is related to the density of updates in the network, affecting gravity according to Einstein's equations.

58:41

Unraveling Einstein's Journey Through Curvature and Time

  • Space-time Richie tensor deals with constructing light cones in a space as a function of time, requiring the creation of a new version of Geometry called infr geometry.
  • Exploring differential geometry without a manifold or Euclidean space, leading to the development of features based on an underlying structure.
  • The absence of literature on the curvature tensor in three and a half dimensional space, highlighting the lack of exploration in this area.
  • Einstein's 10-year journey to formulate the Einstein field equations, which, in hindsight, seem obvious due to the limited options when dealing with curvature and energy-momentum.
  • The derivation of the Einstein equations from lower-level components, akin to understanding fluid behavior from gas or liquid molecules.
  • The significance of deriving complex theories from basic principles, such as quantum mechanics and the discrete machine code underlying them.
  • The historical context of Einstein's attempts to prove the second law of Thermodynamics through philosophical approaches, ultimately leading to significant scientific breakthroughs.
  • The concept of computational irreducibility, where solving equations does not equate to solving problems due to the necessity of running each step in computational processes.
  • Newton's acknowledgment of the computational difficulty in predicting the motion of multiple planets, highlighting the concept of irreducible computational complexity.
  • The interplay between computational irreducibility and human computational limitations in understanding phenomena like the second law of Thermodynamics, emphasizing the role of time and observation in shaping our understanding of complex systems.

01:12:50

"Universe's Dimension Fluctuations: Physics Challenges Explored"

  • Building a tower with stones requires a specific arrangement for satisfaction.
  • Understanding the experimental implications of dimension fluctuations involves complex physics work.
  • The universe likely began as infinite-dimensional, gradually cooling to effectively three-dimensional.
  • The concept of the "ruad" lacks a clear beginning but can be conceptualized as a circle without a defined starting point.
  • Observers in the "ruad" can occupy different positions, attributing varying rules to the universe.
  • Minds in the "ruad" are situated at different locations, affecting their perspectives on the universe.
  • The universe's expansion is visible in animations, reflecting the creation of new nodes over time.
  • The universe's expansion may lead to finer details, potentially challenging the distinction between discrete and continuous space.
  • Dimension fluctuations in the universe could result in leftover areas with non-three-dimensional characteristics.
  • Detecting dimension fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background poses a significant physics challenge, requiring extensive experimental work.

01:27:34

"Elementary Length and Dark Matter in Space"

  • Models discussed have one core parameter, the elementary length, representing the relationship between two atoms of space and the distance measured with meter rules.
  • The parameter can be framed as string tension, string length, or the square root of alpha Prime.
  • The elementary length estimated is significantly smaller than the plank length, around 10 Theus 90 meters.
  • The number of parallel threads of history in the universe influences the elementary length, derived from dividing plank units by this number.
  • The elementary energy in models is very small compared to plank energy, leading to questions about the structure of space.
  • Dark matter is likened to the caloric fluid of the 1800s, suggesting it may be a feature of the structure of space.
  • Dark matter's gravitational effects align with those of ordinary matter, indicating it may follow similar rules.
  • Distinguishing dark matter and dark energy is complex, with both potentially being features of space's structure.
  • Various rules underlie the behavior of the universe, with different rules leading to distinct phenomena like black hole mergers.
  • Effects like discreetness in black hole radiation depend on the specific rule used, with the elementary length playing a crucial role.

01:42:13

"Quantum mechanics: Branching, merging, and measurement"

  • Quantum mechanics involves the measurement problem and the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
  • The universe is seen as a giant network undergoing updates with different possible orderings of updates leading to different microscopic histories.
  • Multi-way graphs describe branching and merging structures in the universe, applicable across various fields beyond physics.
  • Examples like Tic-tac-toe illustrate how different moves can lead to the same state, showcasing branching and merging in action.
  • Quantum mechanics involves observing many branches of history, with the observer's mind also branching and merging.
  • The concept of merging is crucial in understanding quantum mechanics, differentiating it from the many worlds interpretation.
  • Observers in quantum mechanics aggregate information, with different types of measurements like aggregation and weighing balances.
  • The dynamics of measurement in quantum mechanics are complex, involving establishing equivalences and fitting results into a single thread of experience.
  • The idea of collapse of the wave function is questioned, with global unitarity playing a significant role in the process.
  • Branchial space is defined as the space of quantum branches, with positions in branchial space associated with quantum phase.

01:56:57

Quantum physics: Energy, gravity, and time dilation.

  • Energy momentum deflects paths in a multi-way graph or branchial space, changing Quantum phase.
  • In physical space, gravity deflects objects, while in branchial space, energy momentum deflects jd6 associated with position.
  • Derivations in physics can be mathematically unrigorous, but efforts are made to improve them.
  • The Bourne rule, explaining Quantum wave function interpretation, lacks a rigorous derivation.
  • In the double-slit experiment, photons in physical and branchial space lead to interference.
  • Interference fringes in the double-slit experiment are derived through Quantum phase and branchial space positions.
  • Time dilation in relativity is explained by computational effort in repositioning objects.
  • The speed of light and causal edges in space-time influence time dilation.
  • The maximum entanglement speed in branchial space limits information propagation.
  • The computational view of reality aims to predict mass ratios of particles, dependent on observers and energy scales.

02:12:48

"Unifying Mathematical Physics Theories: Bridging Models"

  • The mass and the amount you kick it determines the mass, with observer dependence in play.
  • Predictions suggest black holes and particles may be closely related or even the same.
  • Local gauge invariance in Quantum field Theory and the standard model of particle physics is expected to emerge in models.
  • Hypergraphs involve spatial distances between nodes and internal degrees of freedom.
  • Distinguishing base space and fibers in a fiber bundle requires sheath Theory.
  • Higher category Theory, like infinity groupoids, is crucial in understanding the models.
  • The models aim to bridge various mathematical physics theories, not dismissing any as irrelevant.
  • The limit of graphs behaving like manifolds raises questions about continuous groups.
  • The possibility of models being subgroups of E8 is considered, potentially impacting internal Le group characteristics.
  • The project involves a small core team at the Wolfram Institute, with broader collaboration across different fields.

02:26:52

"Unifying Models and String Theory for Discovery"

  • The speaker discusses the importance of bridging models and string theory to understand how extra dimensions and internal degrees of freedom interact.
  • They mention the concept of lifting spatial direction and internal degrees of freedom from a hypergraph, highlighting the potential significance of this idea.
  • Drawing parallels to the evolution of computation, the speaker suggests that anchoring different ideas through a common framework, like Turing machines, can lead to significant advancements in understanding complex models.
  • The speaker expresses excitement about exploring the underlying computational structure of physics, emphasizing the need for boldness and willingness to fail in pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries.
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