Skatche comments on Fine-tuned for Interestingness vs. Ramsey's Theorem - Less Wrong

0 Post author: Alexandros 16 May 2011 05:07PM

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Comment author: Skatche 17 May 2011 04:55:59PM *  0 points [-]

I'm not sure about this "selection space" of universes, but if we're talking about all possible mathematical constructs (weighted, perhaps, according to Solomonoff's universal prior), it bears noting that even some one-dimensional, two-colour cellular automata - extremely simple systems as far as that goes - have been proven to be Turing complete. Doesn't mean they'll necessarily produce life, as a lot depends on initial conditions, but we know at least that they can, in principle, produce life. Given what else I've seen of mathematics, it seems the space of mathematically possible universes is positively teeming with critters.

Comment author: benelliott 17 May 2011 05:09:34PM 0 points [-]

even some one-dimensional, two-colour cellular automata - extremely simple systems as far as that goes - have been proven to be Turing complete

Some are, most aren't.