Maybe "review" is overly generous, and it's not like anyone is on the edge of their seat for my opinion of a 13-year-old book; still, I wanted to bring up a few ideas from the book for discussion. Programming the Universe is Seth Lloyd's introduction to quantum computing. After a primer on information theory--one of the mathematical foundations of computing--and the inner working of classical computers (like the one I'm typing on and the one you're reading on), Lloyd explores two main topics. The first is how quantum … [Read more...] about Science Book Review: Programming the Universe
simulated universe hypothesis
Science in Review: Have You Tried Turning Science Off And Turning It Back On Again?
Earlier this month, I commented on research into a possible relationship between social stratification and human sacrifice in early civilizations. Anthropologist and ESN blogger Kevin Birth quickly provided a significant critique of the study's methodology and the underlying assumptions. I imagine that kind of discussion might raise a few eyebrows; isn't science supposed to be objective, not to mention correct? If the study really is that flawed, how did it get published in such a prestigious journal? If it is valid, … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Have You Tried Turning Science Off And Turning It Back On Again?
Science in Review – October 2012
As you may or may not have noticed (and if you haven't, just play along; it'll make me feel better), I've been posting a science link of the week every Wednesday over on the ESN Facebook wall. Facebook seems like a good place for some empirical experimentation; it provides a Wall against which to throw things to see if they stick. By its nature, it's a bit ephemeral. That's great if something doesn't work; before too long it drifts down the screen out of sight, and thus out of mind. But if something was … [Read more...] about Science in Review – October 2012