Programming The Universe

Oct 4, 2024 9:23 PM

Author:Seth Lloyd

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE BIT...

The universe is made of bits of information and it has been known for more than a century that every piece of the the universe - every electron, atom and molecule - registers these bits and that information. It is only in the last years, however, with the discovery and development of quantum computers, that scientists have gained a fundamental understanding of just how that information is registered and processed.

Building on recent breakthroughs in quantum computation, Seth Lloyd shows how the universe itself is a giant computer. Every atom and elementary particle stores these bits, and every collision between those atoms and particles flips the bits into a new arrangement and effortlessly spins out beautiful and complex systems, including galaxies, planets and life itself.

But every computer needs a program, the set of instructions that tell it what patterns to create. Where did the bits come from that tell the universe to create its magnificent complexity? Who - or what - is programming the universe?

Reviews

Seth Lloyd is an authoritative and often funny guide to this head-bending stuff...startlingly novel

—— Stephen Poole , Guardian

Lloyd does an excellent job of explaining all this in clear, accessible language... I urge you to buy the book

—— John Gribbin , Independent

Visionary and fun

—— New York Times

His excellent book explains the science in terms as simple as one could hope for

—— Andrew Crumey , Scotland on Sunday

Lloyd thinks he has found a new way to explain one of the most basic questions in science: Why is the world so complex?... Fascinating and profoundly comforting... Seth Lloyd certainly gives his readers a lot of bang for their buck

—— The New York Times Book Review

Lloyd is one of the gurus of quantum and information theory, and in this accessible book he presents an insightful new perspective on the cosmos

—— Sir Martin Rees, University of Cambridge

Renowned for his innovative conflation of pure physics and computation, Lloyd is well positioned to hack his way into space-time and come back with answers

—— Seed

What an astonishing book! Lloyd is at the forefront of a revolution

—— Kevin Kelly, Editor-at-Large , Wired

While a theory for time travel is in itself extraordinary, Mallett's own story of how he became one of the first African-American PhDs is just as remarkable . . . There have been a number of time travel books published of late, but this is one of the more accomplished. His theory is the first serious and practical attempt at making the impossible possible. The Time Traveller is about far more than theory, however, and will undoubtedly serve as inspiration to budding scientists and the general reader alike.

—— Science Book Reviews

Physicist Mallett's theory that "space and time can be manipulated" to make time travel possible has gained national media attention. His research and theories flow nicely through this easy-to-read autobiography. Mallett's, one of the first African-American Ph.D.s in theoretical physics, (and bestselling author Henderson's) simple prose makes for clear and concise explanations of the science involved. The author comes across as a warm, inspired, driven, troubled man who is generous in his descriptions of others and must be an excellent teacher at the University of Connecticut, where he is a physics professor. Mallett describes the path of his education and research into black holes and circulating lasers, which he believes drag time into a closed loop suitable for time travel. Due to the basic level of the science content and the focus on Mallett's personal quest, this book is best suited for a general rather than a science-leaning audience, or as an inspirational text for aspiring young scientists. B&w photos.

—— Publisher's Weekly

Science and memoir combine in the story of a black boy from the Bronx who turned his dreams into reality.

—— Waterstones Quarterly

An engaging and, at times, moving read.

—— www.the-void.co.uk

A terrific book . . . once you start it you'll be hooked.

—— www.motorbar.co.uk

Brimming with excitement . . . This is a rewarding tale of courage, determination, and the possibilities of science.

—— The Star

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