Stephen Wolfram

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

But then—basically starting in the early 1980s—there was a burst of progress based on a new idea (of which, yes, I seem to have ultimately been the primary initiator): the idea of using simple programs , rather than mathematical equations, as the basis for models of things in nature and elsewhere. One is so-called Böhm trees.

Physics 64

Physics Science Sciences Mathematics 64

Stephen Wolfram

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

But then—basically starting in the early 1980s—there was a burst of progress based on a new idea (of which, yes, I seem to have ultimately been the primary initiator): the idea of using simple programs , rather than mathematical equations, as the basis for models of things in nature and elsewhere. One is so-called Böhm trees.

Science 64

Science Sciences Physics Mathematics 64

Stephen Wolfram

AUGUST 22, 2023

It didn’t help that his knowledge of physics was at best spotty (and, for example, I don’t think he ever really learned calculus). But suffice it say to that Ed’s old nemesis—calculus—comes in very handy. It’s actually a nice application for calculus. The details are a bit complicated—and I’ve put them in an appendix below.

Computer 67

Computer Physics Science Sciences 67