Re: Arthur O'Dwyer on the feasibility of simulating a Turing Machine

From: Willem (willem_at_stack.nl)
Date: 02/26/04


Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 10:24:28 +0000 (UTC)

Edward wrote:
) There seems to be a consensus here that a computer program CANNOT BE
) WRITTEN to simulate a Turing Machine, and this consensus is wrong:
) this post shall prove it so.
)
) <snip repeat of another poster's idea to have the program grow across
) the internet>

This has already shown to be false; there's only a finite amount of matter
in the universe.

A theoretical TM could be written that can capture the state of the entire
universe. This TM can obviously not be contained within the universe.
Assuming that computer programs have to exist within the universe, a Turing
Machine exists that cannot be simulated by a computer program.

SaSW, Willem

-- 
Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for any of the statements
            made in the above text. For all I know I might be
            drugged or something..
            No I'm not paranoid. You all think I'm paranoid, don't you !
#EOT


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