Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep112 "How is computer code like magic?" (with Sam Arbesman)
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Jul 14, 2025 Sam Arbesman, a complexity scientist and author of 'The Magic of Code,' joins to explore the enchanting similarities between computer code and magic. He discusses how code influences our daily lives and the challenges posed by increasingly complex systems. Arbesman delves into AI-generated code, the historical context of language, and hidden connections in science. He also draws fascinating parallels between coding and biological systems, highlighting creativity in programming and envisioning a future where coding is revered like art.
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Code as Modern Magic
- Code acts like a magic spell, turning symbols into actions in the real world.
- It enables creation of complex systems and worlds from simple rules, blurring science and art.
Coding Requires Craft and Training
- Code requires skill and training like magic; it doesn't just work by accident.
- Both have unpredictability and require understanding of complex symbols and syntax.
Unexpected Email Limit Glitch
- A system had an email limit of about 500 miles due to an old software timeout related to speed of sound.
- Such glitches illustrate how code's complexity causes surprising, unanticipated consequences.