Chaotic Computing In Practice

codyhess writes "The Economist published a great article detailing efforts to use Chaos in computing - "Speaking at the American Physical Society's annual March conference, William Ditto of the University of Florida told of his efforts to create a 'chaotic computer'." Dr. Ditto can create standard logic gates (AND, OR, etc) that output a value according the their chaotic threshhold. Different logic operations can be performed by simply changing the threshhold, making an incredibly flexible computer that can perfom different functions instantaneously."

Comments

Chaotic Computing...

[hookedup]

Nothing new, I've been doing that since Windows 3.11! :)

Anyone with the misfortune of reading my source...

[Anonymous Coward]

...is already well versed in chaotic computing.

I suppose this beats my design

[Anonymous Coward]

I was just going to hire really crazy programmers, and change their meds based on what I needed.

Re:I suppose this beats my design

[haystor]

chmod +x /dev/random

When I do chaotic computing...

[dolo666]

... I type in random characters in Google and hit "I feel Lucky".

Google was no help...

[jea6]

Google was no help...in translating this article into English.

Re:Google was no help...

[Anonymous Coward]

Even Hellboy made more sense.

Woa

[bawb]

I first read that as Catholic Computing.

Pearly Gate logic will have to wait a few years yet, I guess.

Re:Woa

[HalfOfOne]

Catholic computing:

The system has encountered an unrecoverable error and IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT. I SAW YOU pausing just a little too long before closing those suggestive webcam ads. Now go burn that copy of The Da Vinci Code, wash your eyes out with holy water after your clandestine mission to The Passion, and go out and buy a wooden yardstick to smack your fingers with every time you have an innapropriate thought.

And spit out your gum.

I'm confused

[FreemanPatrickHenry]

Dr. Ditto

Wait...Rush Limbaugh has a Ph.D?

Chaotic Computing... now in code

[unknown_host]

#include <windows.h>
#include <system_errors.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
char make_prog_look_big[1600000];

main()
{
if (detect_cache())
disable_cache();
if (fast_cpu())
set_wait_states(lots);
set_mouse(speed, very_slow);
set_mouse(action, jumpy);
set_mouse(reaction, sometimes);

printf("Welcome to Windoze 3.999 (we might get it right \
or just call it Redmaunt)\n");

if (system_ok())
crash(to_dos_prompt);
else
system_memory = open("a:\swp0001.swp",O_CREATE);
while(1) {
sleep(5);
get_user_input();
sleep(5);
act_on_user_input();
sleep(5);
if (rand() < 0.9)
crash(complete_system);
}
return(unrecoverable_system);
}

I had a life before I got karma

my clone army

[dmd]

Evil Scientist: My clone army will soon be complete!

Secret Agent: Not so fast, Doctor Ditto!

Computing in a coffee cup

[SmackCrackandPot]

Reading this article reminds me of the Improbability Drive in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.

The last problem to be solved was to find a perfect source of randomness, which the galaxies best professors had been trying to solve for decades as whole departments had been built up on trying to solve this problem. Then one day, a brilliant student solves the problem by realizing a a cup of hot coffee provides this data. He is immediately awarded the highest Physics prize in the universe, and immediately lynched by his peers for being a smart-ass.

I did something like this years ago

[perspex]

Basically, I invented a simple but mind-blowingly fast algorithm for solving complex equations:

#include <stdlib.h>
double solve(void) {
return rand()
}

Sometimes, it will give you a root of x^2 - 7; other times, value of pi or phi. Once it even gave me the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything!

Windows user?

[budhaboy]

But it certainly has potential--even though many people feel that existing computers are quite chaotic enough already.

or is he just the 'friend' of this guy?

Obligatory D&D joke

[spellraiser]

The only thing I want to know is; are these computers Chaotic Lawful, Chaotic Neutral, or Chaotic Evil?

Re:Obligatory D&D joke

[Jeff DeMaagd]

I'd rate the joke as Chaotic Awful.

You might also consider...

[Lendrick]

...adding a good/evil axis to computer alignment. Because otherwise, if you get a chaotic computer, how do you know whether it's chaotic good, chaotic neutral, or chaotic evil?

Better to have a computer with a good heart and a general distrust of authority than one which wants to enslave everyone and reduce the world to a desolate wasteland.

quantum post

[kwoff]

We're already seeing quantum computing, as this story is in two places simulataneously. Remember, you saw it here first, and second, on Slashdot.

Appears to be a Star Wars reference ...

[giftedtiger74]

From the Lockheed Martin Analog computing link "A picture of a GEDA center showing (from the left) an R-2 unit, two L-2 units, (maybe) an N-2 unit behind the woman, (maybe) two L-1 units and another recording unit between the women."

Re:Appears to be a Star Wars reference ...

[daeley]

"Tomorrow I want you to take that R2 unit into Anchorhead and have its memory flushed.... and while you're at it, take the L1 units, the L2 units, that N2 unit behind Aunt Beru...no, don't get Aunt Beru's memory flushed, take the N2 unit that's behind her--never mind, I'll do it myself!"

Re:Oh yeah??

[sketerpot]

Perhaps because they were hoping to do some gradual revisions and eventually reach Windows 3.14?

Re:Not chaotic? (Yes, you can control chaos)

[ndogg]

manuerable jet aircraft

Eww, why would someone want to fly in that?

Read a book about Leeches?!

[barks]

They have also made a logic element out of a pair of leech neurons (nerve cells from blood-sucking worms) placed on a microchip.

I remember for my System's Analyst and Design class my teacher mentioning how they were already wiring organic matter to computer chips. One unfortunate student who made the great mistake to vocalized his complete shock over this, from which this cynical and suggestive instructor bluntly responded to him, "Read a book!" Mind you this particular student had the appearance of a squeegee-kid roadie.

Although I was not the one told off by the teacher that I should enlighten myself,I am very amazed over the use of organic matter is even possible. Are they running some sort of voltage through these fibers? Do they obviously react differently than say a copper wire, and why? Will it be just a matter of time before some medical students at a frat party get bored and hook up a cadaver's brain up to laptop to string search and download what the deceased use to listen to?