Conway's Game of Life in Real Life

  • Thread starter DaveC426913
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Game Life
In summary, "Conway's Game of Life in Real Life" explores the application of the mathematical simulation known as the Game of Life, created by John Conway, in real-world scenarios. The piece illustrates how the game's simple rules can lead to complex patterns and behaviors, mirroring processes in nature, biology, and technology. It highlights the game's relevance in understanding systems, emergent behavior, and the intersection of mathematics with practical phenomena, showing how abstract concepts can manifest in tangible ways.
  • #1
DaveC426913
Gold Member
23,069
6,747
Game of Life

20240127_131552.jpg

Playing out in rainwater on my door screen...
20240127_131520.jpg


Appears to be using highly permissive life/death parameters tho...
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes Arjan82, Borg and phinds
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
That's probably not the right way to screen for pathogens.
 
  • Haha
Likes DaveC426913
  • #3
Now I'm wondering how hard it would be to build a mechanical CGoL setup*.*impossible**

**unless I limit the arena to something shy of infinite in extent
 
  • #4
Would "mechanical" include material interactions?
They might be combined in interesting, very finely resolved geometries.
 
  • #5
DaveC426913 said:
Now I'm wondering how hard it would be to build a mechanical CGoL setup*.
I've seen a video of it done with plates on a tiled floor. It was all still frames and human run between the scenes, though.
 

FAQ: Conway's Game of Life in Real Life

What is Conway's Game of Life?

Conway's Game of Life is a cellular automaton devised by the British mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970. It consists of a grid of cells that can be in one of two states: alive or dead. The state of each cell evolves over discrete time steps according to a set of simple rules based on the states of its eight neighbors.

Can Conway's Game of Life be implemented in real life?

While Conway's Game of Life is a theoretical construct typically simulated on computers, it can be implemented in real life using physical objects to represent cells. For example, one could use a grid of light bulbs or tiles that can switch between two states to physically simulate the game's rules. However, this would be complex and impractical for large grids.

What are the rules governing the evolution of cells in Conway's Game of Life?

The evolution of cells in Conway's Game of Life is governed by four rules: 1) Any live cell with fewer than two live neighbors dies (underpopulation). 2) Any live cell with two or three live neighbors lives on to the next generation. 3) Any live cell with more than three live neighbors dies (overpopulation). 4) Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbors becomes a live cell (reproduction).

Why is Conway's Game of Life significant in the study of complex systems?

Conway's Game of Life is significant because it demonstrates how simple rules can lead to complex and emergent behavior. It serves as a model for studying self-organization, pattern formation, and the dynamics of complex systems. The game has applications in various fields, including mathematics, computer science, biology, and physics.

Are there any real-life phenomena that resemble Conway's Game of Life?

While no real-life system exactly mirrors Conway's Game of Life, there are phenomena that exhibit similar principles of local interaction leading to complex global behavior. Examples include the spread of biological populations, chemical reaction-diffusion systems, and certain aspects of social dynamics. These systems, like the Game of Life, show how simple rules at the micro level can result in intricate patterns and behaviors at the macro level.

Similar threads

Chess VS Video Games.... Which Is Easier To Quit?
Replies
9
Views
2K
The Case of Andrew D. (and how it connects with PF)
Replies
2
Views
898
Starfield: New First-Person Epic Role-Playing Game by BGS
Replies
9
Views
2K
Playing Video Games in a Language You Don't Understand
Replies
7
Views
2K
Why would a card game company ban online card simulators?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Lottery physics: ball placement and positions in lottery games
Replies
12
Views
3K
Could Ergonomics Boost Gaming Success?
Replies
5
Views
1K
A Probabilistic game of life as a toy model for Everett's interpretation
Replies
6
Views
2K
Need help from FUNNY people (creating a game for my students)
Replies
7
Views
909
How will public react if we discover life on another planet?
Replies
12
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top