This is a past event.

Physics Colloquium

Myers is a retired Project Scientist at Harvard University where he works. He has taught quantum computing at Brown University, taken part in experiments on quantum key distribution, and analyzed the effect of external electrical fields on the propagation of spikes in neurons, and consulted on clocking for fault-tolerant computers. His understanding of symbols stems from his measurement of the half-life of unstable equilibrium in computer memory elements exposed to asynchronous signals.

Based on a proof made in quantum theory that experimental evidence leaves open infinitely many explanations, John Myers will argue for the role of symbol-handling agents in physics and biology. The argument is based on recently published physics, not yet widely known, that incorporates within physics some "anthropology of physicists," as agents that employ symbols to write equations and to express evidence, both of which involve a form of unpredictability beyond quantum uncertainty.

Other creatures and indeed various computer-based devices also act as symbol- handling agents that compute in a context of feedback, responding to effects that are not computable. In biology and to some degree in physics the concept of an agent has been discussed, along with the notion that agents make use of symbols. The discussions range rather broadly, and this report, by virtue of this new physics, will display more structure to the ideas of agents and symbols, and will point to some avenues for their use in both physics and biology.