Fundamental Physics: Difference between revisions
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== | == Space & Time == | ||
In traditional physics, time is thought of as a coordinate similar to how we refer to a location in physical space. In the Wolfram Physics Project, time is thought of as the progressive application of computational rules, with each state of the system computed from the last. The implication of this new perspective is that time can no longer be set arbitrarily, as it is done often in traditional mathematical physics <ref>Stephen | |||
=== Time as a Computational Process === | |||
In traditional physics, time is thought of as a coordinate similar to how we refer to a location in physical space. In the Wolfram Physics Project, time is thought of as the progressive application of computational rules, with each state of the system computed from the last. The implication of this new perspective is that time can no longer be set arbitrarily, as it is done often in traditional mathematical physics <ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfram |first=Stephen |date=October 8, 2024 |title=On the Nature of Time |url=https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2024/10/on-the-nature-of-time/}}</ref>. The reason for this is due to the phenomenon of [[Computational Irreducibility]], which means that all prior states of the system must be computed if we want to learn about a system at a given time<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolfram |first=Stephen |title=A New Kind of Science |publisher=Wolfram Media |year=2002 |isbn=1-57955-008-8 |pages=237}}</ref>. | |||
==== The Observer ==== | |||
By thinking of time as sequential computations of rules, this implies that it is theoretically possible for one to know all the possible states of a system. Stephen Wolfram's work in [[Observer Theory]] shows that the reason we do not experience such a phenomenon is because we are [[Computationally Bounded Observer]]<nowiki/>s. For us to be able to know the future would be to compute a [[Computational Irreducibility|computationally irreducible]] amount of work. | |||
== References == | |||
<references /> | |||
Revision as of 00:36, 19 August 2025
Space & Time
Time as a Computational Process
In traditional physics, time is thought of as a coordinate similar to how we refer to a location in physical space. In the Wolfram Physics Project, time is thought of as the progressive application of computational rules, with each state of the system computed from the last. The implication of this new perspective is that time can no longer be set arbitrarily, as it is done often in traditional mathematical physics [1]. The reason for this is due to the phenomenon of Computational Irreducibility, which means that all prior states of the system must be computed if we want to learn about a system at a given time[2].
The Observer
By thinking of time as sequential computations of rules, this implies that it is theoretically possible for one to know all the possible states of a system. Stephen Wolfram's work in Observer Theory shows that the reason we do not experience such a phenomenon is because we are Computationally Bounded Observers. For us to be able to know the future would be to compute a computationally irreducible amount of work.
References
- ↑ Wolfram, Stephen (October 8, 2024). "On the Nature of Time".
- ↑ Wolfram, Stephen (2002). A New Kind of Science. Wolfram Media. p. 237. ISBN 1-57955-008-8.