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Hanson needs to brush up on his thermodynamics. Reversible computers need not generate any heat. But they do need to grow larger as they are operated (their siz
by beefman 13y ago
Hanson needs to brush up on his thermodynamics. Reversible computers need not generate any heat. But they do need to grow larger as they are operated (their size scales with the number of operations performed). This means SPACE = TIME, which is a pretty sad state of affairs and probably the reason why all practical computers and known lifeforms are irreversible machines.
- pyre 13y ago> all practical [...] known lifeforms are irreversible machines. Not necessarily true. There is that 'immortal' jellyfish that basically reverts back to a polyp and then grows again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii
- beefman 13y agoThat's an interesting animal, but its unusual life cycle in no way negates the fact that its metabolism is irreversible (both at the cellular and ensemble level).
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]