[MD] Quantum computing

[Magnus Berg]

Hi

> [Case]
> The more discussions I hear of levels the more convinced I become that
> "levels" are not a good way to think about things. There are all kinds of
> ways to break things down and systems to help order our thoughts and
> theories. Giving metaphysical significance to any particular system like
> this just causes trouble.

Hmm, you will have to do better than that to convince me. Show me a water proof 
contradiction within the MoQs levels and I'll think about it. Don't hold your 
breath though, I'm pretty stubborn about them. :)

> [Case]
> Come on, in addition to have a RPP Marvin said, "Brain the size of a planet
> and they have me working in the parking garage." Or something like that...

Yes, but did he ever mention what it was made of?

> [Case]
> It could be just the Geek in me but I think sci-fi writers like William
> Gibson, Douglas Adams, Asimov, Clarke, David Brin, Orson Card and Greg Bear
> have written some of the best philosophy of the last century. By
> constructing novels as thought experiments they have attempted to work out
> some of the consequences of a world facing accelerating change. The Matrix
> was a clearer presentation of Descartes'' clever demons than Descartes' or
> his philosophical successors ever dreamed of.

Yup, Yes, and you bet!

> [Case]
> I think "life" is a function of the amount of complexity the environment can
> support. It does not surprise me that in an environment as complex as
> cyberspace something would be waking up. I just hope it is friendly and
> quiet like Ender's friend Jane.

Almost, my take on "life" is something walking an evolutionary path. And that 
requires the right balance of static and dynamic. It must be static enough to 
last, but at the same time dynamic enough to last. But if course, a certain 
amount of complexity is also required, but I don't think it's enough.

> BTW, I went to the book store last night looking for "The Quantum Self" but
> got confused and bought "The Quantum Brain" instead. Do you know it? I just
> thumbed through the diagrams and saw that it was touching the right bases...

Sorry, don't know that book. But Amazon's reviewers seem to like it. Let me know 
what you find in it. I'll probably read it soon.

	Magnus