4 ms·

The notion of a computer was a theorem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_completeness http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_completeness

• marshallp 14y ago
  The computer industry wasn't built on Turing completeness. It's an evolution of practical technology starting with the invention of textile machinery (but you can also kind of argue it started with abacuses or even lines drawn in sand).
  • jonsen 14y ago
    You are right. Evolution has its mysterious ways. But maybe it's only mysterious to us because our math has not evolved yet to a point where complex systems can also be properly described by theorems.
    • marshallp 14y ago
      But then what is the use of the maths. We already have the wealth the comes from the technology. The maths doesn't add much (instead siphons off resources).
      • waqf 14y ago
        You're arguing for eating our seed corn. Yesterday's maths drove today's technology. Today's maths will drive tomorrow's technology, unless you have your way.