Tetris is capable of universal computation

askiiart wrote: post #3

As for Tetris storage, see also: Harder Drives - https://youtu.be/JcJSW7Rprio The Tetris part starts at 15:00, but I'd highly recommend watching it all.

Suckerpinch is one of the best youtube channels out there, I love his work. I came here to link this once I saw the title, but you've already done it!

He reminds me of what Forth people get so excited about, fitting so much into such small places.

Re: Tetris is capable of universal computation

#7

Post by andyjohnson0 » Mon, Jan 09, 2023, 2:14 PM UTC

It seems like I quite often see posts here about how $thing$ can perform universal computation, or simulate a UTM, or whatever. And obviously the HN readership selects for these articles.

But is there any significance to be found in all these things having this attribute? Does it tell us anything about the universality of computation as a property of the universe?

I seem to recall that sed and C++ template installation are known to be Turing complete - and i can kind of understand that as they are designed to manipulate information, even if it is surprising that their limited syntax provides enough "power" for universality. But Tetris was not designed with this capability, yet it has it. Same with Minecraft - within which it is apparently possible to implement a Turing machine.

I've seen claims that DNA replication and other naturally occuring systems may be capable of universal computation too.

So in the bigger picture, whats going on here?

Re: Tetris is capable of universal computation

#8

Post by modarts » Mon, Jan 09, 2023, 2:17 PM UTC

andyjohnson0 wrote: post #7

It seems like I quite often see posts here about how $thing$ can perform universal computation, or simulate a UTM, or whatever. And obviously the HN readership selects for these articles. But is there any significance to be found in all these things having this attribute? Does it tell us anything about the universality of computation as a property of the universe? I seem to recall that sed and C++ template installati…

A sprawling read on the topic https://www.amazon.com/G%C3%B6del-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden...

Re: Tetris is capable of universal computation

#9

Post by subw00f » Mon, Jan 09, 2023, 2:21 PM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #5

This is amazing. I can't think of a practical use for this, but at the same time I think the world is better for its existing.

It's art.

Re: Tetris is capable of universal computation

#10

Post by distcs » Mon, Jan 09, 2023, 2:35 PM UTC

andyjohnson0 wrote: post #7

It seems like I quite often see posts here about how $thing$ can perform universal computation, or simulate a UTM, or whatever. And obviously the HN readership selects for these articles. But is there any significance to be found in all these things having this attribute? Does it tell us anything about the universality of computation as a property of the universe? I seem to recall that sed and C++ template installati…

> But is there any significance to be found in all these things having this attribute?

Is there any significance of a beautiful painting of a magnificent sunset over mountain meadow with horses grazing?