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This is the abstract from John Archibald Wheeler's article "Information, Physics, Quantum; The Search for Links", a paper delivered at the Santa Fe Institute and published in "Complexity, Entropy, and the Physics of Information".
"This report reviews what quantum physics and information theory have to tell us about the age-old question, "How come existence?" No escape is evident from four conclusions: (1) The world cannot be considered a giant machine, ruled by any pre-established continuum physical law. (2) There is no such thing at the microscopic level as space or time or spacetime continuum. (3) The familiar probability function or functional, and wave equation or functional wave equation, of standard quantum theory provides mere continuum idealizations and by reason of this circumstance conceal the information-theoretic sources from which they derive. (4) No element in the description of physics shows itself as closer to primordial than the elementary quantum phenomenon, that is, the elementary device-intermediated act of posting a yes-no physical question and eliciting an answer or, in brief, the elementary act of observer-participancy. Otherwise sated, every physical quantity, every it, derives its ultimate significance from bits, binary yes-or-no indications, a conclusion which we epitomize in the phrase, it from bit."
This is the most concise statement I have ever seen of what I regard to be an issue of incredible importance in understanding our world. It's clear how he would have come to these conclusions, based on his notorious "delayed choice" experiments, and while I haven't read the full article, I find this abstract persuasive on its face.
"This report reviews what quantum physics and information theory have to tell us about the age-old question, "How come existence?" No escape is evident from four conclusions: (1) The world cannot be considered a giant machine, ruled by any pre-established continuum physical law. (2) There is no such thing at the microscopic level as space or time or spacetime continuum. (3) The familiar probability function or functional, and wave equation or functional wave equation, of standard quantum theory provides mere continuum idealizations and by reason of this circumstance conceal the information-theoretic sources from which they derive. (4) No element in the description of physics shows itself as closer to primordial than the elementary quantum phenomenon, that is, the elementary device-intermediated act of posting a yes-no physical question and eliciting an answer or, in brief, the elementary act of observer-participancy. Otherwise sated, every physical quantity, every it, derives its ultimate significance from bits, binary yes-or-no indications, a conclusion which we epitomize in the phrase, it from bit."
This is the most concise statement I have ever seen of what I regard to be an issue of incredible importance in understanding our world. It's clear how he would have come to these conclusions, based on his notorious "delayed choice" experiments, and while I haven't read the full article, I find this abstract persuasive on its face.
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 12:29 PMThis arguement is also one of the basic premises of Seth Lloyd's book "Programming the Universe: A Quantum Computer Scientist take on the Cosmos". -
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 2:25 PMHave you read Lloyd's book, and if so, is it any good?
I've looked at "Decoding the Universe", but I've been told it's underwhelming. -
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 3:14 PMI'm about halfway through Lloyd's book right now; its not bad. I'm not familiar with "Decoding the Universe, who wrote it? -
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 3:16 PMCheck out www.sethlloyd.com for more on his book and its topic.
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Tue, August 1, 2006 - 3:49 PM> I'm not familiar with "Decoding the Universe, who wrote it?
A guy named Charles Seife. I don't know much about it, except that I heard it's not so hot.
www.amazon.com/gp/product...159-5030217
The Amazon blurb says:
"In a book that's all but impossible to put down, science journalist Seife (Alpha & Omega) explains how the concepts of information theory have begun to unlock many of the mysteries of the universe, from quantum mechanics to black holes and the likely end of the universe. Seife presents a compelling case that information is the one constant that ties all of science, indeed all of the universe, together."
I'm still looking for the book that really nails this topic - I think it's tremendously interesting and important. There's something fundamental going on with what we call information. The trick is dealing with this without going over the deep end, like the Ramtha people in "What the Bleep". You have to stick with the data.
Thanks for the Seth Lloyd recommendation - I'll have a good look at his site. -
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 10:10 AM"The trick is dealing with this without going over the deep end, like the Ramtha people in "What the Bleep". You have to stick with the data. "
Yes, Doug Hofstadter is said to have remarked on how the hippies misinterpreted his book, too. I guess we can't write popular science books and worry about what the hippies will think about them; they're already off the deep end, with a strong confirmation bias about anything that they hear. That "What the bleep?" movie reminded me of "I (heart) Huckabees."
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Re: John Archibald Wheeler on physics and information
Wed, August 2, 2006 - 2:01 AMI've read Programming the Universe and its quite a read. Certain aspects of it may be over the head of the average reader, but Loyd does a good job of decribing his ideas on a level that can be understood by most. The books main focus is on information and meaning.
For those who are interested, I will summarize a few main points below:
1) Meaning. All information is measured in bits. A bit is 0 or 1, yes or no, heads or tails... The more bits it takes to describe a certain peice of information, the more meanings that information can potentially have. The meaning of information depends apon how it is to be interpreted. "Meaning is like porn, you know it when you see it." Meaning is defined only relative to a scheme of interpretation and the meaning of a given peice of information can only be found in the action this information provokes. In this way, whales have the most complex language on earth, yet we have not even begun to understand what any of their particular noises mean.
2) Order from chaos. The laws of quantum mechanics are responsible for the emergence of detail and structure in the universe. The ability of gravity to amplify small fluctuations in density is a phenomenon called chaos. The equations for motion in earths atmosphere are inherently chaotic, thus a tiny perturbation such as the flutter of a butterfly's wings can be amplified over time and distance becomming a hurricane months and miles down the line. ie: the butterfly effect. Every roll of the quantum dice injects a few more bits of information into the world. As these details accumulate, they form the seds for all variety in the universe.
3) Entanglement. The counterintiutive nature of entanglement implies that there are no underlying elements of reality in the world. All paticles in the universe have an anti particle with a spin that is exactly opposite. There is an infinite number of spins a partical can have due to the insanity of mathmatics and geomatry. The universe is essentially a giant quantum computer that computes its own existence. Two entangled opposite spins share only one quantum bit of information, yet they are capable of giving opposite answers to an infinite variety of questions corresponding to the infinite set of possible spins they can be measured by.
Basically its a pretty interesting read.
If you enjoy such topics, then try reading Concilience: The unity of knowledge.
Here's quotes.
"The cost of scientific advance is the humbling recognition that reality was not constructed to be easily grasped by the human mind. Our species and its way of thinking are a product of evolution not the purpose of evolution."
"Reality is a state constructed by the mind, not perceived by it. There is no "real" reality, no objective truths external to mental activity, only prevailing versions disseminated by ruling social groups. Nor can ethics be firmly grounded, given that each society creates its own codes for the benefit of the same oppressive forces."
Hope that was helpful.
Drop the mic.
