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Researchers Debut DNA-Powered Computer
An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at Columbia University and the University of New Mexico have built a DNA -powered computer that is unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe. Although it's much slower than a normal computer, the researchers say their proof-of-concept system could help them develop new techniques for sorting and analyzing viruses and DNA mutations."
unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe This is un-fucking-believable.
I thought most Tic-Tac-Toe games end in a tie.
If the best that my DNA can do is an unbeatable game of Tic-Tac-Toe.
That's exactly what unbeatable means - cannot be beaten. It does not mean it can beat you.
From TFA: "One limitation of the system is that the human player must always go second, after the centre square has been filled by the machine." Pfft... we can all be unbeatable if we have a little hissy fit about the center square...
Playing with MAYA-II takes a long time," Macdonald admits. The system needs between 2 and 30 minutes to compute each move and a second machine is required to translate the fluorescent signals generated each time into a move in the game.
No wonder it wins, it bores you to death by taking so long and hopes you fall asleep or quit.
I mod down so you can mod up. Your welcome.
(Hey don't complain, blame my DNA computer)
liqbase
Can anyone comment on how this is related (if at all) to a recent announcement in New Zealand about a new ability to "store and execute computer programmes within a microscopic DNA Pharmaceutical crystal"? [1] [2]. Supposedly (according to radio reports) the New Zealand group has been working for 20 years in secret (or something) until the press release in the past day or so.
I'm wondering if it's a case of one group having announced in a rush so as not to be overshadowed by another group that's been working on the same thing.
Most slashdotters are out of the equation, so I'll explain DNA computing for you real quick. It takes 9 months to spawn a child process and they usually outlive the parent. DNA computers use this thing called evolution which is the best fork() bomb ever created. It's all pretty fucking pointless actually.
Strange game. The only winning move is not to play.
How about a nice game of chess?
p.s.: I hope they don't program it with an option to play global thermonuclear war! =P
"Luck is my middle name," said Rincewind, indistinctly. "Mind you, my first name is Bad." -- Terry Pratchett
My pet rock is also unbeatable at Tic-Tac-Toe. She discovered the cunning (hehe, cunning stunt bonus!) strategy of never making a move. I've been forced to concede every game so far as hunger, thirst and a need to urinate ultimately win out over my drive to be the greatest Tic-Tac-Toe player on the block.
I blame my DNA.
So what? I built a computer that's COVERED in DNA.
The future isn't here until I can type "car keys" into Google and have it say "You left them in your pants last night."
...a Beowulf puddle of these.
"How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!