Jason, I think there may be some incorrect assumptions behind your argument. Let me state the facts as I understand them and you can check them against your assumptions or correct me if I'm wrong.
The only reason we need reversible computation to do an infinite number of computations is that physics is reversible. If we had irreversible physics, then we would be able to do an infinite number of computations with irreversible computations. Also, "reversible" and "irreversible" computation refers to the method of implementing the computation, not the content of the computation. Reversible computation can be used to simulate an irreversible universe, and vice versa. A big problem with reversible computation is that the energy efficiency is inversely related to speed. In order to do an infinite number of computations, you have to do them infinitely slowly. Which means a civilization in a reversible universe with finite energy can only do an infinite amount of computation if it had absolute security from both external and internal threats (and therefore nobody has to worry about "use it or lose it"). Given what we know today about security and the physics of our universe, it's hard to imagine how this could be achieved. And my intuition says only a small subset of reversible universes that allow the evolution of intelligence would also allow this kind absolute security. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
