Coding the Cosmos: Does Reality Emerge From Simple Computations?
World Science Festival・2 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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