1. NKS Fundamental Physics April 23 NKS 2004 April 23 NKS 2004 The Online Buzz Bram Boroson Astrophysicist

2. ...the introduction of a space-time continuum may be considered as contrary to nature in view of the molecular structure of everything which happens on a small scale. Breathing in Empty Space

3. ...perhaps the success of the Heisenberg method points to a purely algebraical method of description of nature, that is to the elimination of continuous functions from physics. Breathing in Empty Space

4. Then, however, we must also give up, by principle, the space-time continuum. It is not unimaginable that human ingenuity will some day find methods which will make it possible to proceed along such a path.

5. At the present time, however, such a program looks like an attempt to breathe in empty space.

6. --Albert Einstein, 1936

7. Theory of Everything Quantum Gravity Simplicity From http://physicalworld.org/restless_univ erse/html/ru_intro_B.html

8. Which theories are being talked about? How do they handle Quantum Mechanics? Talk or action? (Debate or Simulate?) Who is talking? (Physics or Computer background?) NKS: in Context, Online How come the quantum?

9. Revolutionary (breathing in space!) Zuse, Fredkin, Petrov: bits, Turing machines, automata (0101011101) Wolfram: trivalent networks, choice of updating, causal structure Wolfram, Fredkin Revolutionary Clockwork

10. Uses continuum physics Assumes quantum theory Planck length limit: string modes reverse Establishment: Superstrings Traditional Fuzzy Random

11. NKS: Trivalent Networks 0 110 1 (1) (0) General Relativity: Space is a Player!

12. NKS does GR Dimension, Curvature from Linkage

13. Randomness not needed (Rule 30) Describe world from within network EPR: particles created together are related when observed apart. NKS: from strands too small for photons Feynman histories from update freedom Randomness not needed (Rule 30) Describe world from within network EPR: particles created together are related when observed apart. NKS: from strands too small for photons Feynman histories from update freedom NKS Meets Quantum

14. Loop Quantum Gravity Traditional origins but radical conclusions Fuzzy Random Spin networks Quantum mechanics Background- independent Versions: constraints, spin foam

15. Origins of LQG [(-1) ] x (-2) c n! x=intersections between strands c=number of closed loops n=spin of unit

16. Parallel Transport New “Connection” variable becomes “Operator”--Turns GR into Quantum!

17. 2 1 3 3 4 3 3 2 1 3 Which network? Both! All! It’s a Quantum, Quantum World! 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 1

18. Spin Networks in LQG 2 1 3 3 4 3 3 8 ghG j(j+1) Area=

19. Wolfram Forums Yahoo: DigitalPhysics USEnet group: sci.physics.discre te Blogs / Journals Theories Meet Online

20. Physics vs. Comp. Sci. United States Degrees, Year 2000 National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics Science and Engineering Degrees: 1966-2000 Arlington, VA (NSF 02-327) [July 2002]

21. Pro-Loop in Wolfram Forum

22. Thread: EPR and Events How to get EPR? S Reinventing wheel? (But making it discrete) Off-topic pet theories: distracting!

23. YAHOO! Groups: DigitalPhysics

24. Usenet: sci.physics.discrete

25. Journal is often (not only) about science 112 readers, 3 interested in NKS physics Reinterpretations (not rules), multiway systems, what’s program? what’s data? Example Blog: Mine!

28. Amateur Simulations

29. Why DEBATE not SIMULATE? Networks don’t look as cool Networks are harder to visualize Many ways to represent networks How to recognize a particle? Uncomfortable with basic ideas

30. More computer scientists than physicists More ready to debate than simulate networks How to treat “cranks” and “flame wars”? Blogs better for self-promotion Amateurs are meeting professionals Theories are compared and contrasted NKS Physics Online

31. “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” --Albert Einstein