This page has info about 6 submissions to FQXi essay contests.

2023 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "How could science have emerged differently?".

Title: Three Flukes Made Modern Science Possible

Mar. 25, 2023

Abstract: Science was greatly advanced by three factors that did not have to happen: Greek Mathematics, ancient Astronomy, and medieval Christianity. Without these, we might never have discovered the abstract mathematical theories we have today and instead gotten similar empirical results from data-driven black-box computer models.

Submitted to the FQxI.org 2023 Essay Contest on: “How Could Science be Different?”

2020 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "Wandering Towards a Goal: How can mindless mathematical laws give rise to aims and intention?".

2016 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "Wandering Towards a Goal: How can mindless mathematical laws give rise to aims and intention?”". My essay was summarily rejected, without comment. I assume that the reasons were political, as FQXi accepts a lot of essays with wacky scientific content.

2015 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "Trick or Truth: the Mysterious Connection Between Physics and Mathematics".

References

2014 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "How Should Humanity Steer the Future?".

References

Extra references

2013 Essay

We must ask the question, though, is information truly fundamental or not? Can we realize John Wheeler’s dream, or is it unattainable? We ask: ”It From Bit or Bit From It?”

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2012 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "Questioning the Foundations: Which of Our Basic Physical assumptions are Wrong?

References

2011 Essay

The theme for this Essay Contest is: "Is Reality Digital or Analog?" No submission.