Is the universe fundamentally computational? What is the observer? What is the role of the observer? A deep dive.

Timestamps 0:00.

Intro 2:00 Analyzing 2 different delayed choice quantum eraser experiments: Kim, et al and John Wheeler (Gedanken)

13:43 We never talk about what the observer is (we need to include the physics of the observer)

14:14 Maxwell's demon and the observer (a sequence of choices)

25:08 The Free Will Theorem 27:00 Multiple choices that are still consistent with the past history of the universe.

41:30 Observation does require a "concept" of consciousness.

49:25 Consciousness ends at the smallest composite systems capable of computation, those are the smallest units for which consciousness would apply. A sequence of choices based on a set of rules. Must be causally disconnected from the universe as a whole in order to be an observer.

1:00:52 If you take computation as fundamental, you can get an ought from an is, which Sam Harris says is impossible to do.

1:08:15 Computation is always a physical system. If you take computation as fundamental, information is downstream or an artifact of that. 1:09:10 If you think in terms of computation, you immediately get languages.

1:20:55 A review of computation

1:21:34 Exposition of music as a computational system

1:31:08 Introducing Dave Ackley of the Demon Horde Sort

The challenge. The Role of the Observer, Part 1: https://youtu.be/A5xtyRkp6HE Recommended research: More Glen and others on the Quantum Measurement Problem: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoARw9zo4EUa1nUq32fXuGvtTJFhLhN3d Glen on The Physics of Life: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoARw9zo4EUZhxqfaqYU5yjy0-Tr8RlB4

For all the links discussed by Glen, see the YouTube version of this talk:

https://youtu.be/xJtw5umXouc