Math is Hard
In his new book, A New Kind of Science, physicist and software entrepreneur, Stephen Wolfram, argues that complex mathematic equations has limited scientific discovery. He posits that most of the world can be explained without mathematical complexity. I am greatly simplifying his argument, but as someone who despised all things math-like in school, the notion of math-less science is attractive.
Here is a snippet from the book’s summary:
Starting from a collection of simple computer experiments–illustrated in the book by striking computer graphics–Stephen Wolfram shows how their unexpected results force a whole new way of looking at the operation of our universe.
Wolfram uses his approach to tackle a remarkable array of fundamental problems in science, from the origins of apparent randomness in physical systems, to the development of complexity in biology, the ultimate scope and limitations of mathematics, the possibility of a truly fundamental theory of physics, the interplay between free will and determinism, and the character of intelligence in the universe.
There are detractors, however. Most notably, AI guru Raymond Kurzweil believes that Wolfram’s book is important, but maintains that Wolfram’s arguments in favor of simple explanations for complex natural phenomena may be, well, a bit too simple.
It all sounds rather fascinating to me, and I will probably try to read the 1000-plus-page tome. That is if I can ever get my hands on a copy. MSNBC reports that the book has already sold out it’s first printing. The book is currently ranked 18th in sales and is on 3 to 5 week backorder at amazon.com.
Looks like many others hate the Math as much as I do.
Holy crap does that sound good. The point that really jumps out at me, however, is that this thing clocks in at 1200 freaking pages and yet it’s main premise is something along the lines of how ideas can be explained without great complexity.
Comment by Marc | 6/5/2002