Getting into Life
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Harpsichord
- Posts: 1
- Joined: February 26th, 2012, 4:55 pm
Getting into Life
Hello everyone! I have been a Game of Life enthusiast for some 2 or 3 years now, but I've never tried to delve very deeply in it, I've just randomly watched patterns evolve and grow... However recently I've started feeling more interest on the researches and discoveries which are being regularly made - but there's usually a load of difficult terminology present in most of it. Could someone give me some pointers as what to read and study in order to understand those discoveries, as well as some directions on how researches are usually made?
Re: Getting into Life
Hello Harpsichord!
For getting up to speed on terminology, the Life Lexicon is the place to go. Our LifeWiki is similar, not entirely as thorough on terminology but perhaps more systematic (and updated more frequently).
How research is done depends on what is being sought, but I'd say that typically one needs to be familiar with basic reactions. Eg. with glider syntheses, you'll want to start by being familiar with what is possible with two gliders, known to be possible with three gliders, 1-2 gliders plus some simple still life or oscillator, etc. Try taking a large pattern you like and looking at what various parts of it are doing. And you can keep asking questions here
Computer searches for spaceships and such basically requires programming chops, I don't think there are any particularly useful shortcuts in that area (but those who actually work with the topic may be able to tell more).
For getting up to speed on terminology, the Life Lexicon is the place to go. Our LifeWiki is similar, not entirely as thorough on terminology but perhaps more systematic (and updated more frequently).
How research is done depends on what is being sought, but I'd say that typically one needs to be familiar with basic reactions. Eg. with glider syntheses, you'll want to start by being familiar with what is possible with two gliders, known to be possible with three gliders, 1-2 gliders plus some simple still life or oscillator, etc. Try taking a large pattern you like and looking at what various parts of it are doing. And you can keep asking questions here
Computer searches for spaceships and such basically requires programming chops, I don't think there are any particularly useful shortcuts in that area (but those who actually work with the topic may be able to tell more).
Re: Getting into Life
Welcome.
Also, check out the links thread at the top of the General Discussion page.
TONS of downloadable collections, they contain a plethora of work that has been done and can be built on.
Also, like medicine, it seems each school of pursuit in GOL has its own unique vocabulary.
I often see formulae and terms bandied about that are far beyond my modest mathematical background.
I keep building things anyway. Often just puttering can lead to interesting finds. The patterns thread for 'accidental discoveries' is over 20 pages long.
triller
Also, check out the links thread at the top of the General Discussion page.
TONS of downloadable collections, they contain a plethora of work that has been done and can be built on.
Also, like medicine, it seems each school of pursuit in GOL has its own unique vocabulary.
I often see formulae and terms bandied about that are far beyond my modest mathematical background.
I keep building things anyway. Often just puttering can lead to interesting finds. The patterns thread for 'accidental discoveries' is over 20 pages long.
triller
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
-- Isaac Asimov
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
-- Isaac Asimov