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If you're interested in the implications of this view, Stephen Wolfram (of Mathematica fame) has a book called A New Kind of Science[0] that explores how the co

If you're interested in the implications of this view, Stephen Wolfram (of Mathematica fame) has a book called A New Kind of Science[0] that explores how the complexity of the universe can arise from simple machines following simple rules. [0] https://www.wolframscience.com/nksonline/toc.html https://www.wolframscience.com/nksonline/toc.html

wavefunction 9y ago
Wolfram is discussing cellular automata in that book, though I haven't read it so I can't provide anything beyond noting the mathematical field he's covering. Ulam and von Neumann developed the concept of cellular automata working together at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Conway's Game of Life is a somewhat interesting 2d implementation.
EvanAnderson 9y ago
Great recommendation! Wolfram's work with cellular automata is definitely interesting, and I really "A New Kind of Science". (Edit: I must also concede that I agree with the review "A Rare Blend of Monster Raving Egomania and Utter Batshit Insanity" cited by another comment here. Wolfram is a good read and a lot of fun, but I question the "science" in the book.) I haven't re-read it recently to see how it holds up, but Steven Levy's "Artificial Life" (https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Life-Frontier-Computers-Biology/dp/0679743898 https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Life-Frontier-Computers-Bi...) hooked me as a kid and set a direction for my future thought. It's not a technical book (which was frustrating to a 14 y/o kid with a programming background that wanted to see the technical details), but I think it would be very thought-provoking for someone new to the idea.
agumonkey 9y ago
google for schabanel, rondelez, woods. They've been implementing gliders through DNA tiles. Quite something.
ForHackernews 9y ago
See also, this classic review: "A Rare Blend of Monster Raving Egomania and Utter Batshit Insanity" http://bactra.org/reviews/wolfram/ http://bactra.org/reviews/wolfram/ (originally at http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/wolfram/ http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/wolfram/)
castle-bravo 9y ago
I only made it half way through that book. I kept waiting for his "new kind of science", but there wasn't any science at all. It was just (paraphrasing): "hey! look at this cool automaton! ... and this one! this one too!". I like automata just fine, but that book was a huge disappointment. If he ever gets to the "new" part or the "science" part, please let me know and on what page.
505 9y ago
a review at http://www.gregegan.net/ESSAYS/ANKOS/Ankos.html http://www.gregegan.net/ESSAYS/ANKOS/Ankos.html

wavefunction 9y ago

Wolfram is discussing cellular automata in that book, though I haven't read it so I can't provide anything beyond noting the mathematical field he's covering. Ulam and von Neumann developed the concept of cellular automata working together at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Conway's Game of Life is a somewhat interesting 2d implementation.

EvanAnderson 9y ago

Great recommendation! Wolfram's work with cellular automata is definitely interesting, and I really "A New Kind of Science". (Edit: I must also concede that I agree with the review "A Rare Blend of Monster Raving Egomania and Utter Batshit Insanity" cited by another comment here. Wolfram is a good read and a lot of fun, but I question the "science" in the book.) I haven't re-read it recently to see how it holds up, but Steven Levy's "Artificial Life" (https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Life-Frontier-Computers-Biology/dp/0679743898 https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Life-Frontier-Computers-Bi...) hooked me as a kid and set a direction for my future thought. It's not a technical book (which was frustrating to a 14 y/o kid with a programming background that wanted to see the technical details), but I think it would be very thought-provoking for someone new to the idea.

agumonkey 9y ago

google for schabanel, rondelez, woods. They've been implementing gliders through DNA tiles. Quite something.

ForHackernews 9y ago

See also, this classic review: "A Rare Blend of Monster Raving Egomania and Utter Batshit Insanity" http://bactra.org/reviews/wolfram/ http://bactra.org/reviews/wolfram/ (originally at http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/wolfram/ http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/wolfram/)

castle-bravo 9y ago

I only made it half way through that book. I kept waiting for his "new kind of science", but there wasn't any science at all. It was just (paraphrasing): "hey! look at this cool automaton! ... and this one! this one too!". I like automata just fine, but that book was a huge disappointment. If he ever gets to the "new" part or the "science" part, please let me know and on what page.

505 9y ago

a review at http://www.gregegan.net/ESSAYS/ANKOS/Ankos.html http://www.gregegan.net/ESSAYS/ANKOS/Ankos.html