P.W. Anderson's long-standing observations are undeniable. This doesn't exclude
recognition of the value of reductionist efforts to get at scientific
understanding. They go hand-in-hand. One example of the value of reductionism
can be seen in the recent recognition (Nobel Prize) of three Japanese
physicists . They explained how it happens that matter "overbalances"
antimatter in the early universe, to make posssible our matter universe-- and
creatures such as ourselves able to contemplate such questions.
Jack
----- Original Message -----
From: Ian P. Cook
To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 2:04 PM
Subject: [FRIAM] More Really Is Different
All,
Being geographically separate from the corpus of folks on this list, the
reason for this email may have already been discussed, debunked, railed at,
lauded, etc. But since I don't think I've seen it on the mailing list I thought
I'd take a swing at passing it on. If I've made a mis-step, my apoligies.
http://arxiv.org/abs/0809.0151
More Really is Different
Authors: Mile Gu, Christian Weedbrook, Alvaro Perales, Michael A. Nielsen
In 1972, P.W.Anderson suggested that `More is Different', meaning that
complex physical systems may exhibit behavior that cannot be understood only in
terms of the laws governing their microscopic constituents. We strengthen this
claim by proving that many macroscopic observable properties of a simple class
of physical systems (the infinite periodic Ising lattice) cannot in general be
derived from a microscopic description. This provides evidence that emergent
behavior occurs in such systems, and indicates that even if a `theory of
everything' governing all microscopic interactions were discovered, the
understanding of macroscopic order is likely to require additional insights.
And commentary from NewScientist:
http://tiny.pl/srp2
-Ian
--
___________________________________
Ian P. Cook
m: 412.759.8973
jabber: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Y!/MSN: ian_palmer_cook
AIM: ianpalmercook
___________________________________
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============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
