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All simulations of nature are grotesque approximations. Butterfly effect is real and it makes a mockery of complex models.
by jongjong 3y ago
All simulations of nature are grotesque approximations. Butterfly effect is real and it makes a mockery of complex models.
- Animats 3y agoSome classes of models diverge rapidly on noise. When I was working on ragdoll physics in the 1990s, I discovered that a one-bit change in a 64-bit floating point joint angle was enough that a ragdoll falling downstairs simulation diverged visibly within one second.
- xscott 3y agoIt makes a mockery of simple models too. Models of double pendulums and three body problems don't match the empirical world for very long.
- jongjong 3y agoThat's the thing. It seems simple at a glance but even in those cases, there is a lot more going on than we care to admit. Now try to simulate the entire planet and you end up missing a ridiculous amount of variables and ignoring complex feedback loops.
- mvdwoord 3y agoTry explaining this to the climate people...