Spinning Particles & Conways Game of Life

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of using a computer to observe and measure the spin and other properties of particles in a box, and using this data to build a 3D map and run simulations similar to Conway's Game of Life. The conversation also mentions the potential applications of this technology, such as reversing cancer and storing memories, and recommends reading "A New Kind of Science" by Stephen Wolfram for further exploration of these ideas.
  • #1
Ravanol
2
0
Hi there,

I have little physics knowledge, just a few poorly understood concepts that I have overheard. Something has been on my mind recently and I though maybe your expertise could assist?

There is a theory that says something about the spin on a particle only being determined when a human observes it? Schrödinger's Cat?

Would it not be possible for a computer to make this observation using measurement equipment? What would it see?

Is a computer made this observation on all particles contained in a box (as well as other things like charge, gravity, position and any other measurable quantities of particles) a single instant, it could surely store this information in a database?

Knowing that certain configurations of these particles make up the elements in the periodic table... could we not write a program which could build a 3d map of everything that we observed in the box?

Could we not take this map, and run it in a 3d version of "Conways Game Of Life"? If this information was displayed on a computer screen... what would a human looking at the screen see? Does the spin on a particle have any influence over what we see in the world around us?

If we recorded all the information (as above) for one instant... and then performed another measurement in instant later, could we start working out some rules to determine how the particles changed from one state to the next?

Anyone who has seen the 2d version of Conways Game Of Life will know that it resembles many of the elements of the universe around us. Galaxies, organisms, planets, orbits, reproduction, cancer. There are even floaters which move from place to place effectivly carrying the "seeds of life".

Is it possible that rather than a big bang... or an expanding/contracting universe... the universe is infact a 3d Game Of Life itself, with all the elements within it moving closer or further aparts based on simple rules of collision? On a smaller scale we could say that the thrust generated when a rockets goes into space is a result of the burning fuel performing a simple algorithm which results in movement in a direction?

If we could somehow model everything in the universe using simple rules in a 3d version of Conways Game of Life (maybe particles coming together, and the spin on the particles changing direction as a result if simple binary mathematics) then we could build a model of the contents of the box above inside the computer. .. and change this model, and influence the particles within it?

Now that we know how to set the spin on particles using quantum entanglement, we could set the spin on any particles we choose in the box at the same instant. We could make caculations using Game of Life 3d to find the optimum configuration of particles so that we can learn to reverse cancers, or store memories?

Does any of this make any sense? No.. probably not. .. but worth a try nontheless :rolleyes: Maybe "spin" isn't the right thing to be measuring. I am simply trying to think of how we can use a computer to record the state of the smallest known particles at any instant, and how we can can calculate and observe the interactions between them, and how these interactions change the state of the particles.

Many thanks.
 
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  • #3
You should try reading "A new kind of science" by Stephen Wolfram.

He has the same kind of idea that these simple models (called cellular automota) can be used to think about pretty much everything in the universe.

Just one word of warning, if you read his book you may be fooled into thinking Wolfram invented everything in the subject himself.

He didn't.

Matt
 

Related to Spinning Particles & Conways Game of Life

1. What are spinning particles in Conway's Game of Life?

Spinning particles in Conway's Game of Life are cellular automata that have a directional spin, indicated by an arrow pointing in one of eight directions. These particles move across the game board and interact with other particles based on their spin and the rules of the game.

2. How do spinning particles affect the game's dynamics?

Spinning particles add an additional layer of complexity to the game, as they can interact with other particles in different ways depending on their spin. This can result in more varied and unpredictable patterns emerging on the game board.

3. What is the significance of the spinning particles in the context of science?

Spinning particles in Conway's Game of Life are a simplified representation of real-life particles that exhibit spin, such as electrons. They can be used to study and understand complex physical phenomena, such as magnetism and quantum mechanics, in a more accessible way.

4. Can the spin of particles be changed in the game?

Yes, the spin of particles can be changed by applying certain rules or patterns to the game board. This can result in different behaviors and patterns emerging on the board, making the game more dynamic and interesting.

5. How do spinning particles relate to other scientific concepts?

Spinning particles in Conway's Game of Life are closely related to concepts such as emergence, self-organization, and complex systems in science. They demonstrate how simple rules can result in complex and unpredictable behavior, similar to how natural phenomena can arise from simple interactions between particles.

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