Fair enough. One of my points was that a coin toss, which seems random to us, could in theory be simulated, since it operates at the macro level relative to quantum considerations, and the outcome predicted before the coin lands. But I can see that given our current level of understanding, quantum uncertainties would be another reason why the whole universe couldn't be simulated.
That's not quite right on the Quantum Mechanics - it is truly random AND the uncertainty principle says that you cannot build an apparatus to find out both the momentum and position of anything above a certain accuracy. So you couldn't build a computer capable of predicting, because you couldn't enter the data. Also, Relativity says that you can't know what's happening now, let alone what's happening in the future! Spooky stuff!
Fair enough. One of my points was that a coin toss, which seems random to us, could in theory be simulated, since it operates at the macro level relative to quantum considerations, and the outcome predicted before the coin lands. But I can see that given our current level of understanding, quantum uncertainties would be another reason why the whole universe couldn't be simulated.
Thanks very much for the great response. I will try to make a proper response to you within the next few days.
That's not quite right on the Quantum Mechanics - it is truly random AND the uncertainty principle says that you cannot build an apparatus to find out both the momentum and position of anything above a certain accuracy. So you couldn't build a computer capable of predicting, because you couldn't enter the data. Also, Relativity says that you can't know what's happening now, let alone what's happening in the future! Spooky stuff!
Sorry, this isn't quite correct. Randomness, along with uncertainty, are intrinsic to quantum mechanics.