What We've Learned from NKS 20 Years Later: The Making and Current State of NKS [Part 3]
Sep 29, 2023
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The speaker reflects on a lost epilogue from 'A New Kind of Science'. They discuss the role of professional vs amateur science and the potential of studying systems based on simple rules. They also talk about their progress in working through unfinished chapters and archival materials. The online version of the NKS book is discussed, as well as the impact of cellular automata and the fourth paradigm. The emergence of computational language and its impact on ideas is explored. The next step in physics is discussed, along with changing paradigms and geographic distribution. The chapter ends with reflections on design choices and future breakthroughs in science.
The New Kind of Science book emphasizes the computational paradigm and its implications for various scientific fields, including the role of professional science versus amateur science.
The podcast introduces the concept of the really add, representing all possible rules and computations, and explores the limitations of our observation and understanding of this computational universe.
The emergence of the multi-computational paradigm offers new possibilities for understanding different fields and incorporating ideas from computational science, computation advancements, and blockchain.
Deep dives
The Making of New Kind of Science
This podcast episode discusses the background and creation of the book 'New Kind of Science' by Stephen Wolfram. Wolfram explores the process of writing, the structure of the book, and the lost epilogue that was not included in the final version. He emphasizes the importance of the computational paradigm and its implications for various scientific fields. Wolfram also discusses the future of the science presented in the book, including the role of professional science versus amateur science, the importance of simplicity and clear explanations, and the possibility of making contributions to science without a deep knowledge of traditional scientific education.
The Implications of the Computational Paradigm
The podcast episode delves into the paradigm shift introduced by 'New Kind of Science' towards viewing the world in computational terms. Wolfram discusses the concept of computational irreducibility and its significance in understanding complex systems. He explains the emergence of the multi-computational paradigm, which focuses on collections of rules and their entangled consequences. Wolfram emphasizes the importance of rheology, the study of simple programs and their behavior, in exploring different parts of the computational universe. He also highlights the role of computational language in liquidifying the exchange of ideas and the potential impact of new mechanisms like live streaming and blockchain in scientific research.
The Significance of the Really Add
The podcast episode introduces the concept of the really add, an alternative term for the computational universe. Wolfram explains that the really add encompasses all possible rules and computations, representing the entire space of possibilities. He discusses how our observation and understanding of the really add is limited to the entangled limit we sample as observers. Wolfram also explores the implications of the physics project and its confirmation that the universe is computational all the way down. He reflects on whether the existence of value in basic scientific research can be better realized and operated within the current frameworks of academia and intellectual property.
The Future of Science and New Ways of Doing Science
In this podcast episode, Wolfram discusses the future of science and the potential for new methodologies in scientific research. He explains the evolution of how science is conducted, from the hermitic approach of 'New Kind of Science' to the possibilities offered by live streaming and the computational language. Wolfram highlights the importance of leadership and vision in scientific progress. He suggests that new mechanisms and platforms will emerge to facilitate the sharing and exchange of scientific ideas. Wolfram also touches on the value and realization of scientific research and the need for continued exploration and cultivation through new approaches.
The Emergence of Multi-Computational Paradigm
The podcast discusses the emergence of the multi-computational paradigm and its potential implications across different fields. This new paradigm, which builds upon the computational paradigm, offers new possibilities for understanding a wide range of disciplines. It is suggested that this novel way of thinking about science may incorporate ideas from computational science and utilize advancements in computation and blockchain. By internalizing computational irreducibility and leveraging existing knowledge from practical computation, researchers hope to push science forward in a new direction.
Computational Irreducibility in Quantum Computing
The podcast explores the question of whether quantum computers can break computational irreducibility and provide new insights. The answer, according to the speaker, is that quantum computation, while having elements of multi-computational processes, still requires a computationally irreducible process to obtain a single answer. The process of measurement in quantum computing is computationally irreducible and cannot be bypassed. This clarification highlights the complexities and limitations of quantum computation, emphasizing the need to consider computational irreducibility even in quantum systems.
In this episode of "What We've Learned from NKS", Stephen Wolfram is celebrating the 20th anniversary of A New Kind of Science with a look at the making of and current state of NKS in an ongoing livestream series, also available on YouTube here: https://wolfr.am/12aAqLklA
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