Programming the universe : a quantum computer scientist takes ont the cosmos

Is the universe actually a giant quantum computer? According to Seth Lloyd—Professor of Quantum-Mechanical Engineering at MIT and originator of the first technologically feasible design for a working quantum computer—the answer is yes. This wonderfully accessible book illuminates the professional and personal paths that led him to this remarkable conclusion. All interactions between particles in the universe, Lloyd explains, convey not only energy but also information—in other words, particles not only collide, they compute. And what is the entire universe computing, ultimately? “Its own dynamical evolution,” he says. “As the computation proceeds, reality unfolds.” To elucidate his theory, Lloyd examines the history of the cosmos, posing questions that in other hands might seem unfathomably complex: How much information is there in the universe? What information existed at the moment of the Big Bang and what happened to it? How do quantum mechanics and chaos theory interact to create our world? Could we attempt to re-create it on a giant quantum computer? Programming the Universe presents an original and compelling vision of reality, revealing our world in an entirely new light. Is The Universe Actually A Giant Quantum Computer? According To Seth Lloyd--professor Of Quantum-mechanical Engineering At Mit And Originator Of The First Technologically Feasible Design For A Working Quantum Computer--the Answer Is Yes. This Book Illuminates The Professional And Personal Paths That Led Him To This Remarkable Conclusion. All Interactions Between Particles In The Universe, Lloyd Explains, Convey Not Only Energy But Also Information--in Other Words, Particles Not Only Collide, They Compute. And What Is The Entire Universe Computing, Ultimately? Its Own Dynamical Evolution, He Says. As The Computation Proceeds, Reality Unfolds. To Elucidate His Theory, Lloyd Examines The History Of The Cosmos, Posing Questions That In Other Hands Might Seem Unfathomably Complex: How Much Information Is There In The Universe? What Information Existed At The Moment Of The Big Bang And What Happened To It? How Do Quantum Mechanics And Chaos Theory Interact To Create Our World? Could We Attempt To Re-create It On A Giant Quantum Computer?--from Publisher Description. Prologue : The Apple And The Universe -- Pt. One. The Big Picture -- Chap. 1. Introduction -- Chap. 2. Computation -- Chap. 3. The Computational Universe -- Pt. Two. A Closer Look -- Chap. 4. Information And Physical Systems -- Chap. 5. Quantum Mechanics -- Chap. 6. Atoms At Work -- Chap. 7. The Universal Computer -- Chap. 8. Complexity Simplified -- Personal Note : The Consolation Of Information. Seth Lloyd. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-221). Is the universe actually a giant quantum computer? According to Seth Lloyd--professor of quantum-mechanical engineering at MIT and originator of the first technologically feasible design for a working quantum computer--the answer is yes. This book illuminates the professional and personal paths that led him to this remarkable conclusion. All interactions between particles in the universe, Lloyd explains, convey not only energy but also information--in other words, particles not only collide, they compute. And what is the entire universe computing, ultimately? "Its own dynamical evolution," he says. "As the computation proceeds, reality unfolds." To elucidate his theory, Lloyd examines the history of the cosmos, posing questions that in other hands might seem unfathomably complex: How much information is there in the universe? What information existed at the moment of the Big Bang and what happened to it? How do quantum mechanics and chaos theory interact to create our world? Could we attempt to re-createit on a giant quantum computer?--From publisher description.The author compares the universe to a giant quantum computer, arguing that all interactions between particles in the universe convey information as well as energy, a theory that he uses to trace the history and workings of the universe. Is the universe actually a giant quantum computer? According to Seth Lloyd, the answer is yes. All interactions between particles in the universe, Lloyd explains, convey not only energy but also information–in other words, particles not only collide, they compute. What is the entire universe computing, ultimately? “Its own dynamical evolution,” he says. “As the computation proceeds, reality unfolds.” Programming the Universe, a wonderfully accessible book, presents an original and compelling vision of reality, revealing our world in an entirely new light.