From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Sat Mar 31 2001 - 12:39:32 MST
From: <Eugene.Leitl@lrz.uni-muenchen.de>
> J.R., you can add "analog computer" to your list of useless
> hypotheses.
Ah, yes... even a difference engine is digital at the atomic level, and for
the purposes of computation, every number is digital. I dunno, perhaps we
should vote on this. Can anyone find a use for the hypothetical analog
computer? Is Pi an analog ratio?
Analog computer
http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/definition.html?lookup=1524
Representing data in continuously variable physical quantities, in contrast to
the digital representation of data in discrete units (the binary digits 1 and
0).Analog systems handle information which is represented by continuous change
and flow, such as voltage or current.Analog devices have dials and sliding
mechanisms.Digital information, in contrast, is either on or off.
τΏτ
Stay hungry,
--J. R.
Useless hypotheses:
consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia
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