Stephen Wolfram: Complexity and the Fabric of Reality | Lex Fridman Podcast #234

Stephen Wolfram discusses complexity, the computational universe, and his Wolfram Physics Project. He argues that nature's complexity arises from simple computational rules, like those found in cellular automata, and that programs are effective models for natural systems. Wolfram details the hypergraph model of physics, where space is made of discrete atoms connected in a network, and time emerges from the continuous rewriting of this network. The conversation explores the implications of this model for quantum mechanics, relativity, and the nature of consciousness, suggesting that our perception of the universe is shaped by our computational limitations and single thread of time. Wolfram also touches on the potential for applying these computational models to fields like molecular biology and economics, seeking to uncover fundamental laws and predictive capabilities.