Communications of the Blyth Institute

A Corollary of the Conant-Ashby Theorem Applied to Abiogenesis

Eugenio Darbesio — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 23:48:41 +0000

From the Conant-Ashby theorem about the "good regulator" is possible to derive a corollary about the origin of life (OOL). This corollary introduces the concept of "good constructor." Then
it is shown as nature, seen as a material system ruled by the laws of physics, cannot be a "good constructor" of the basic machinery necessary for a living cell. As a consequence OOL needs intelligent design.

Comets, Water, and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Rob`ert Sheldon — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 23:56:50 +0000

We argue that the cosmological origin-of-life problem is tightly connected to the origin-of-water problem, because life is not possible without abundant water. Since comets are astronomically dark and composed of water, as well as possessing microfossils, they are an underestimated candidate for the origin of life. If in addition dark matter is composed of comets, then water outweighs the visible stars, possibly solving several cosmological mysteries simultaneously. This motivates us to consider how it is possible to build a cosmological model in which water is formed in the Big Bang and then hidden from modern astronomy. In the process, we discover that magnetic fields play an important role in making water, as well as addressing several well-known deficiencies of the standard lambda-CDM cosmological model of the Big Bang. We do not see this paper as a demonstration but as an outline of how to address the origin of life problem with dark comets.

Solution of the Grazing Goat Problem: A Conflict between Beauty and Pragmatism

Robert J Marks II — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:01:54 +0000

What is the ideal solution of a problem in mathematics? It depends on your nerd ideology. Pure mathematicians worship the beauty of a mathematics result. Closed form solutions are particularly beautiful. Engineers and applied mathematicians, on the other hand, focus on the result independent of its beauty. If a solution exists and can be calculated, that's enough. The job is done. An example is solution of the grazing goat problem. A recent closed form solution in the form of a ratio of two contour integrals has been found for the grazing goat problem and its beauty has been admired by pure mathematicians. For the engineer and applied mathematician, numerical solution of the grazing goat problem comes from an easily derived transcendental equation. The transcendental equation, known for some time, was not considered a beautiful enough solution for the pure mathematician so they kept on looking until they found a closed form solution. The numerical evaluation of the transcendental equation is not as beautiful. It is not in closed form. But the accuracy of the solution can straightforwardly be evaluated to within any accuracy desired. To illustrate, we derive and solve the transcendental equation for a generalization of the grazing goat problem.

2D Puzzle Visualizations of Boolean Formulae

Eric Holloway — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:06:23 +0000

In the comparison between human and computational intelligence, often times the comparison is not straightforward because humans can possess domain knowledge inaccessible to the program they are competing with. To provide a level playing field, it is helpful to have humans and computers compete in a domain where both start with equal domain knowledge, and the domain is well understood.

The Products of Hyperreal Series and the Limitations of Cauchy Products

Jonathan Bartlett — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:10:18 +0000

Cauchy products are used to take the products of convergent series. Here, we show the limitations of this approach in divergent series, including those that can be analyzed through the BGN method. Alternative approaches and formulas for divergent series are suggested, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.

Following the Science

Tom Siewert, Elizabeth Siewert — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:17:31 +0000

More and more frequently we are hearing the words "follow the science" spoken by those who believe that they are right and are frustrated by those who disagree with them. To what degree is this a legitimate effort to avoid rehashing incorrect ideas compared to a way to stifle questions about weakly-supported concepts?

News

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:20:07 +0000