In article <5n73dv$3b5$1@news.fas.harvard.edu>, kubo@riemann (Tal Kubo) writes:
>>>It can be modelled as a Markov chain M on consistent extensions of the >>>alpha theory A. You argue, in effect, that iterates of M converge to the >>>identity. This is *impossible* for any nontrivial chain.
>>Well yes. But what I am considering is nothing like the above. Not even >>close. These things branch and breed.
>That's assumed in the Markov chain model.
Uh no. I gather you have completely forgotten what a Markov chain is.
>>Nothing linear in time.
>So what?
It's not Markov.
> The only question is what probability distribution of >descendants arises from a given population.
When identifying something as "Markov", you have further questions. Do you have temporal independence and lack of memory? Not here.
>>There is nothing that can be identified as a state.
>A count of many of each "TM-mind" type there are at any given time.
Which is not time independent. Ergo, it is not a state. -- -Matthew P Wiener (weemba@sagi.wistar.upenn.edu) If Apple owned NBC, they would sue Nike for comedy-interface copyright violation.
