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Space is not empty but made up of discrete atoms of space. All matter and phenomena in the universe are the result of interactions within this underlying structure.
The Ruliead is a limit of all possible computations, and the way it is sampled by our minds, which are computationally bounded and perceive themselves as persistent in time, gives rise to our perception of a definite thread of experience in a branching universe.
Quantum mechanics can be understood as the result of how a branching mind perceives a branching universe. The conflation of different paths of history in our perception corresponds to the different paths of the universe branching and merging in underlying reality.
General relativity, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics all arise from the same underlying theory, the Ruliead, which is a limit of all possible computations. They are all different perspectives within this unified framework, revealing the interconnectedness of these fundamental theories.
The universe operates based on the principle of universal computation, where a single hardware object can be programmed to perform multiple functions, similar to a computer. Different minds have different ways of describing the world, representing various points in "rural space." Just as space exploration involves physical travel, exploring different ideas and ways of thinking represents traveling through "rural space." The universe's concept of time is the inexorable progress of computation, where each moment represents a state transition. Time aligns in different realms, such as thermodynamics and cosmology, because they are part of the same progressive process of computation.
Consciousness acts as a filter for the multitude of possible computations in the universe. While the universe is capable of many computations, human minds are more limited in their computational scope. Features like computational boundedness, belief, and persistence distinguish consciousness and give it a unique perspective. Consciousness is not a separate, exceptional spark but a specific filtering of the universe's computational capabilities.
Stephen Wolfram emphasizes the importance of doing things one enjoys and finding energy in the work being done. He shares two productivity hacks: live streaming working meetings to encourage focus and prompt valuable feedback, and recording video work logs to enhance productivity and provide a documented process. Structured habits, like consistent sleep patterns and regular exercise, further contribute to sustained energy levels and productivity. The adoption of computational language is also stressed as a key superpower for enhanced productivity and future readiness.
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Stephen Wolfram (@stephen_wolfram) is the creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha and the Wolfram Language; the author of A New Kind of Science; the originator of the Wolfram Physics Project; and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research. Over the course of more than four decades, he has been a pioneer in the development and application of computational thinking and has been responsible for many discoveries, inventions, and innovations in science, technology, and business.
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[06:58] How Stephen collects information for his vast personal archives.
[08:40] When a situation warrants building a matrix.
[12:31] Science sometimes makes us look far back to move incrementally forward.
[17:49] Befriending the computational.
[22:59] How technology helps us navigate natural language.
[32:30] How Stephen chose subjects for his book Idea Makers.
[35:09] On spending time with Richard Feynman.
[37:33] Thoughts on Srinivasa Ramanujan.
[39:57] When Stephen started solving science problems with computers.
[42:00] Heresies today, gospels tomorrow.
[50:14] Ruminations on the ruliad.
[1:03:46] What is time?
[1:12:03] What constitutes consciousness?
[1:15:56] Personal infrastructure and productivity.
[1:23:25] Maintaining energy in the midst of a busy life.
[1:29:37] Avoiding once-inevitable sickness after air travel.
[1:31:50] Making time count — in sickness and in health.
[1:32:45] Parting thoughts.
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For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.
For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors
Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.
For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.
Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.
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