Ask HN: What Is Your Take on Stephen Wolfram's "A New Kind of Science"?

Re:Ask HN: What Is Your Take on Stephen Wolfram's "A New Kin... by natch on Thursday November 16, 2023 @10:04AM (#38290407)

It’s intriguing as a thought experiment that gives insight into how the complex physical structure of the world can emerge due to interactions of pieces according to (some known but many as yet unknown) locally embedded rules.

It seems intuitively correct as an analogy. And maybe obvious and not so new as the name claimed, as others have pointed out.

Beyond that I’m glad for him that he has Wolfram language to play with, because that seems much more practical, more about doing stuff, not just ruminating.

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Re:Ask HN: What Is Your Take on Stephen Wolfram's "A New Kin... by 1n3nt0r on Thursday November 16, 2023 @10:43AM (#38290925)

We do need people out there willing to take risks in research. Many of his claims may not be correct, however some findings may be made or may stimulate productive directions.

The problem with this work is with the messenger. His massive ego does not allow for doubt nor does he allocate credit to the science that has preceded him. His off-putting manner and unwillingness to collaborate in the usual way science is done means that even if there is significant merit, few will develop it out further.

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