Ask HN: What would be your definition of theoretical computer science?
I personally have always had a very philosophical and logical approach to theoretical computer science, that reality in its absolute sense would in fact be a logical circuit. Do you think like me that the universe and all its complexity could be recreated by a Turing machine?
Turing himself showed that any Turing machine can compute any problem which is computable. So the question comes down to, "Is the universe computable?" It's a good philosophical question!
Religion says, "Yes, by a god who computes it all." Newtonian physics says, "Yes, by physical laws of matter." Quantum physics says, "No. The observed universe is a wave function that includes uncertainties."
I guess the theoretical comp sci question that intrigues me is the idea that all of it, including quantum physics, could be an Assassin's Creed-type simulation being run by something or somebody else.
Theoretic computer science for me composes the language and conceptual tools for computational resolve of uncertainties.
Uncertainties are really where it all starts right? Calculating orbits, or moments of force in support beams, or volumes and densities of meaningful materials. What parameters and features are involved in modeling and solving problems?
I bring harbinger of doom upon modern quantum computation. THE QUBIT IS A DEAD END!!! Quantum holography will kill it. There is more information capacity in the quantum domain than spin disposition.
I believe you could Turing complete any measure or simulation, however the true universe is a hyperdimensional/extradimentional (two different things) potential of existential being, decaying through entropy.
Think of those videos of fractal zoom. The Turing apparatus may zoom or pan or resolve infinitely, yet the Universe is such in all ways at all times. Further, locally bound matter has this property in a microcosm for itself, from which I think life and the big "c" of our amusing existence lurk.
So, nope.