Closer To Truth Stephen Wolfram on Physics and Computation
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Sep 24, 2025 
Stephen Wolfram, a British-American physicist and computer scientist, discusses his groundbreaking work on the Wolfram Physics Project. He unveils how simple rules can generate complex behaviors in nature, highlighting the importance of computation as a foundation for physics. Wolfram shares insights from his journey, including the discovery of Rule 30, which reveals order in apparent randomness. He also explores the principle of computational equivalence and how it relates to our understanding of the universe, suggesting that computation is a fundamental aspect of reality.
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Early Passion For Physics And Computing
- Stephen Wolfram describes learning physics young and using primitive computers to simulate physical systems.
- He built symbolic computation tools which led to creating Mathematica and founding Wolfram Research.
Simple Rules Yield Complex Behavior
- Rule 30 showed Wolfram that extremely simple rules can produce complex, apparently random behavior.
- This shifted his view that complexity requires complex underlying rules.
Build Tools For Yourself First
- Build tools you personally need before expecting others to adopt your ideas.
- Use those tools daily to drive progress and practical development.
