<p>I'm actually wondering if I can go to CMU at all... see, the FAFSA got mixed up, and it didn't end up going to CMU, though it's filed online. It's past the date now, and I'd need financial aid to attend... <em>shrugs</em> But, do you know anything about (surprise surprise) their Logic and Computation major? (You had to see that one coming.)</p>
<p>Logic and Computation isnt a very popular major, max 10 grads a year, so it has a lot of flexibily for one to work with the profs to really focus on what they want. Like alot of departments here the philosophy department was integrateted as much as possible into the computer science dept in order to make it stronger. So the philosophy dept is really strong in math and logic but not really any other fields. This major has several computer science requirements but like i said its very flexible so you could go for basically a cs major or philosophy of science or nature of mathimatics.</p>
<p>Because it is going to be a long, long wait and I have nothing better to do I am posting one of short essay i wrote for the app. Im curious what topics others choose. </p>
<ol>
<li>Sharing intellectual interests is an important aspect of university life. Describe an experience, literary work, class, project or idea that you find intellectually exciting, and explain why. (1500 character limit)</li>
</ol>
<p>The most fascinating idea, almost by definition, is that very complex systems can emerge from absurdly simple, repeated processes. The most obvious example of this idea is evolution whereby the basic rules of physics and chemistry worked to create ever more sustainable organic structures. What I find practically interesting are the attempts to create a computer program that has such emergent complexity. The evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins has one such program. His biomorphic programs have built in rules for survival and mutation but, amazingly, inventive and unique solutions to the physical constraints appear. I know of one case where agents learned to jump, bounce, and wiggle to reach their goal. There are other, more abstract implementations of this idea such as cellular automation. An example is the game of life that I once programmed. The game of life is a torus-grid that has a number of points on it that have a binary value. A random number are set on initially and the program calculates the points continuously, turning a point on if it is close to another point but off if it is lonely or crowded. As the program runs unique patterns zip, loop and dissolve. Not only are these programs fascinating to watch but they give one a great deal to think about. How can a deterministic program on a computer produce results that are so unexpected and to what extent can we "emerge" solutions to problems that were previously only solved by creative individuals?</p>
<p>42, i don't understand how "by definition" fascinating ideas must involve emergent complex systems.</p>
<p>complex outcome involved in repeated process is a by product of the thermodynamic laws.</p>
<p>cling, im not making any claims about fascinating ideas just the most fascinating idea. Its not really an argument so much but an opionion stressing that this idea is an incredably common and fundamental thing, fascinating is surprize, wonder, and curiousity that seems to be largely from studing and seeing how things work and what could be better than seeing little processes swirling together to create an recognizable object.</p>
<p>Did any of you get the results for your transfers yet?</p>
<p>I am only trying for stanford and I dont hear about that until late may</p>
<p>Has a transfer applicant ever been waitlisted?</p>
<p>bumpbumpbump</p>
<p>It appears that someone has been transfer waitlisted, which im sure would be painful. Here is a post from last year:</p>
<p>By Beeblerox (Beeblerox) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 03:39 pm: Edit</p>
<p>If anyone is on the Transfer Waitlist for Fall 2004, I want to hear from you!</p>
<p>just thought I'd post, since I'm waiting to hear from Stanford in late May as well. :)</p>