X-Message-Number: 11681
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: answers to Damien Broderick and Mike Perry
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 23:00:04 +1000 (EST)

To Damien Broderick:

What you say is fine, and I am personally interested in quantum
computation. However if we are trying to emulate the Universe we don't
just have billions of atoms, we have billions of galaxies and billions of
stars in many of these. Every one of these objects acts in parallel and
independently, together with the billions of atoms they contain.  

If we do the computations it does not seem to me that your quantum
computer (which I actually hope can someday be built --- not everyone
believes they are possible) will be fast enough. Furthermore, I claimed
that any computer with even a low ability to imitate the universe would
necessarily have to be parallel. Quantum computing is one more means to
produce a parallel computer (but the version you suggest may not be
sufficiently parallel to do even a very good emulation, not to mention
an accurate one).

To Mike Perry (Message 11679):

If you want to do theology, you are welcome to do it. I have no way to
argue against theology. Most of your posting in this Cryonet basically
justifies the notion that we might be virtual beings in a computer
program. 

I will note, however, that you say that you do not believe in this
possibility. As I've been saying, it's very important that a device with
awareness interact with the real world; and you suggest that this is
what you want. Great! I may still disagree with you on just how soon
and how easily we will be able to make any such device, but we may have
started to agree on what is IN PRACTICE needed for awareness. 

Still, I'd like your answers to my reply to the previous Cryonet.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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