POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.off-topic : Greg Egan does it again : Greg Egan does it again Server Time
5 Sep 2024 09:25:18 EDT (-0400)
  Greg Egan does it again  
From: Darren New
Date: 23 Aug 2009 21:42:15
Message: <4a91eff7$1@news.povray.org>
Book: "Dark Integers"
Story: "Luminous"

(The story "Dark Integers" is actually a sequel)

Premise: In reality, mathematical truths are undecided until embodied in a 
physical system, until a physical system's state is different depending on 
the truth of the system. Fermat's Last Theorem was neither true nor false 
until someone actually proved it, thereby modifying the state of their brain 
based on the result. Premise: Mathematical truth is restricted to the speed 
of light, and hence different parts of the universe might have different 
mathematical proofs that are true.  Conclusion: Current theories about 
integers might or might not be consistent, and mathematical statements might 
or might not be true depending on the order in which you try to prove 
things.  Invent the discovery of such a state in the real world, and discuss 
possible ramifications. :-)

A delightful short story, if only for the premise.

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Understanding the structure of the universe
    via religion is like understanding the
     structure of computers via Tron.


Post a reply to this message

Copyright 2003-2023 Persistence of Vision Raytracer Pty. Ltd.