Programming the Universe: Seth Lloyd

16Feb08
“Plurality should not be posited without necessity.” - William of Occam

Ever since the emergence of quantum mechanics thanks to the efforts of an obscure patent clerk nearly a century back, scientists have been trying hard to reconcile two seemingly correct but mutually disagreeing theories about the way our universe works- Gravity and Quantum Mechanics. MIT (quantum) mechanical engineer, Seth Lloyd attempts to give us an alternative to the countless theories that spring up every day, most notably the String Theory. Throughout the book, Seth Lloyd thinly disguises his disdain for the aforementioned theory which strives to explain the universe by stating the building blocks of everything to be 1 dimensional ‘strings‘.

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Lloyd follows Occam’s (William of Occam’s) lead and puts forward a simpler theory (nothing in physics is that simple); he proposes that the universe is a giant quantum computer churning out complexity bit by bit. What’s better, the author takes us through the basics- the definition of information on a more macroscopic level. You see, the information the universe apparently creates is entropy, which Lloyd claims is an oft misunderstood word. What follows is a 211 page discourse on a variety of topics - consciousness, cosmology, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics (something I loathed from the bottom of my black soul in school) and chaos theory.

The book is an immense joy to go through; understanding something so complex has never been so rewarding and engrossing. I have always been fascinated by theoretical physics (never mind that I suck(ed) at math) and some of the questions attempted in this book are the ones that have plagued me for years- the initial moments after the big bang and the reasons for complexity in the universe. Seth Lloyd also gives valuable insights as to why the intelligent design debate may be moot because, if the universe is a quantum computer that creates complexity from simplicity bit by bit, serendipitous coincidences within cosmic chaos are inevitable.

This book is unlike most other popular science texts I’ve read. For one, it is understandable (for most part) and it does not rely heavily on the ignorance of the reader. Plus, my brother backs the book and that’s good enough for me.

Very highly recommended.

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7 Responses to “Programming the Universe: Seth Lloyd”  

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  1. 1 bApHoMEt on February 16, 2008 said:

    i found this book when i was walking around Barnes & Noble, The Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav. I didnt find it the next time i visited and eventually forgot about it. but now that you’ve mentioned physics, i feel i must get it.

    So what is your stand on superstring theories and M-theory? i mean, they are pretty hypothetical arent they?

  2. 2 prestidigitator on February 16, 2008 said:

    Dude…I suggest you stay away from that book…it’s that new age crap a la “What the bleep do we know” film. Whenever they use quantum physics and new agey mysticism, it turns out to be nothing other than pseudo science: the worst kind of science.

    I’m not a big fan of string theory mostly because I can’t understand it. It seems too much like coming with a new theory just to prove an existing theory which defeats the purpose. I’d prefer it if a theory became a law through observational evidence without relying too much on new theories. Occam’s razor i.e. the simplest explanation.

  3. 3 Bhel Puri & Seekh Kabab on February 17, 2008 said:

    “serendipitous coincidences within cosmic chaos are inevitable” - you know the ID crowd will have a field day with that statement, right? :-)

    Nice post, I am going to add this to my list.

  4. 4 prestidigitator on February 17, 2008 said:

    @BPSK Er…yes. I was hoping nobody would notice. :)

  5. 5 Ravenent on February 18, 2008 said:

    Seth Lloyd also gives valuable insights as to why the intelligent design debate may be moot because, if the universe is a quantum computer that creates complexity from simplicity bit by bit, serendipitous coincidences within cosmic chaos are inevitable.

    Err, I think not. a) Most ID advocates are too far down the path to turn back, and b) They can always turn around and ask with a knowing (irritating) grin, “Ah, but who created the quantum mega-computer that is the universe in the first place?”

    Re. the book, it seems like a good read so I’m gonna see if I can lay my hands on it here. My guess was spot on though - as soon as I saw the subject, I knew your bro must have turned you on to it! :-)

  6. 6 jinx on February 18, 2008 said:

    hmmm…what if the quantum mega-computer created God?…aah well…..i think i’ll wait till the scientist guys get it right

  7. 7 prestidigitator on February 18, 2008 said:

    @Ravenent: Er…well…see I knew that sentence would get me into trouble. But see…the Quantum Mega Computer which is a wrong term in itself was not created per se. Lloyd states that, ‘in the beginning’, it could have been just a couple of bits of information (i.e entropy) that were variables in the computation which went forth to give rise to complexity.

    A very interesting part of the book is the definition of complexity. For example, 3.14270….. is ‘more complex’ than 22/7. Man…you should read it. Bet you’ll get a kick out of it.

    @Jinx That my dear, is a very interesting concept. Remember Asimov’s short story, ‘The Last Question‘? They build a supercomputer to ‘compute’ the greatest question; the meaning of life. The story ends thus:

    “The consciousness of AC encompassed all of what had once been a Universe and brooded over what was now Chaos. Step by step, it must be done.

    And AC said, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!”

    And there was light—- “

    (http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html)

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