The Digital Perspective Project

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

0001796 Fredkin, Edward Carnegie Mellon University SGER: The Digital Perspective Project The Digital Perspective Project is an attempt to use discrete models for a wide variety of physical phenomena. In contrast to continuous analytic models, such as differential equations, discrete models offer understanding of phenomena that are discrete, or quantized at the microscopic level. These phenomena include electric charge, light, genetics, and some mechanical phenomena such as vibration. Early work in this field has shown that purely digital models such as cellular automata can conserve the digital values of physical quantities exactly. The work to be done under this project combines a seminar at Carnegie Mellon University with a series of public lectures. Researchers from around the world who have made contributions to discrete models in several areas will participate in both activities. Distinguished Lectures will be presented in both Pittsburgh and Washington, and will be made available on the World Wide Web. The seminar and lectures will provide a spur for the further development of discrete models of physical phenomena.