The Stephen Wolfram Podcast What We've Learned from NKS 20 Years Later: The Making and Current State of NKS [Part 2]
Sep 29, 2023
Dive into the fascinating journey of creating a groundbreaking scientific work! Discover the publishing paradox and the intricate relationship between authors and publishers. Learn about the clash of printing technologies and the quirky transition to self-publishing. Experience the art and science behind critical printing decisions and the hurdles faced during book production, filled with humorous anecdotes. It's a captivating look at the evolution of a major intellectual project and the challenges that shaped its path.
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Pre-Web Research
- Stephen Wolfram discusses his research process for NKS, involving pre-web tools like Dialog and the Science Citation Index.
- He also mentions accumulating 5,000 books and 7,000 papers, highlighting the extensive background research.
Contextualizing New Ideas
- When introducing new concepts, contextualize them within existing knowledge for better understanding.
- Provide keywords for efficient web searching and detailed historical notes for context.
Conway's Game of Life Origins
- Wolfram shares an anecdote about interviewing John Conway regarding the Game of Life's origins.
- Conway's motivation stemmed from his background in number theory and logic, not simply game design.