We have a picture for how complexity arises, because if the universe is computationally capable, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised that things are so entirely out of control.
Seth LloydRead
In order to figure out how to make atoms compute, you have to learn how to speak their language and to understand how they process information under normal circumstances.
Interpretation
Understanding atoms' behavior is essential for building computational systems at the atomic level.
This quote emphasizes the need to deeply understand the fundamental principles of atomic behavior in order to develop technologies that utilize atomic-scale computations. It suggests that a thorough grasp of how atoms operate is key to innovating in the field of quantum computing and other advanced technologies.
In practice
During a lecture on quantum computing, I quoted Seth Lloyd to emphasize the importance of understanding atomic behavior.
We have a picture for how complexity arises, because if the universe is computationally capable, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised that things are so entirely out of control.
The history of the universe is, in effect, a huge and ongoing quantum computation. The universe is a quantum computer.
All physical systems can be thought of as registering and processing information, and how one wishes to define computation will determine your view of what computation consists of.
Unlike science, creationism cannot predict anything, and it cannot provide satisfactory answers about the past.
The fact that mathematics does such a good job of describing the Universe is a mystery that we don't understand. And a debt that we will probably never be able to repay.
I shall endeavour still further to prosecute this inquiry, an inquiry I trust not merely speculative, but of sufficient moment to inspire the pleasing hope of its becoming essentially beneficial to mankind.
At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was he interested in utility. He was absorbed in disentangling the riddles of the universe, at first chemical riddles, in later periods, physical riddles. As far as he cared, the question of utility was never raised. Any suspicion of utility would have restricted his restless curiosity. In the end, utility resulted, but it was never a criterion to which his ceaseless experimentation could be subjected.
Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.
It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I'd rather not consider that).
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