Constructor Theory

[ManifoldSky]

This video portrays itself as an "introduction to Constructor Theory", however, at no point does it actually explain constructor theory. Instead it presents a list of things constructor theory addresses, and defends its applicability to various fields of physics, for those already familiar with the field.

[odenwalt]

You explained what constructor theory is supposed to explain and what is excludes, but you failed to explain the theory itself. Not unlike an infomercial where someone is presenting an amazing product without explaining the mechanism of how it works. I was hoping to learn more about the philosophy, interpretations, and ascertainable physical properties.

[gastonpossel]

A lot of emphasys on how this theory can explain "exactly" some known phenomena, yet not a hint on what the theory is actually about.

[erichodge]

Constructor theory is one of those things that has been at the edge of my awareness for about a year. Chiara Marletto was on Sean Carroll's Mindscape podcast last year (I think), but I was unable to understand anything that was being said at that time. This video managed to make clear to me what was distinctive about Constructor theory.
Anyway, thanks. Videos like this are why YouTube is such an important resource.

[lrvogt]

I heard all the words but haven't yet got a sense of what it really is yet. But it is intriguing.

[choimdachoim]

This brings to mind the old Science Fiction story wherein it is stated that a description of the Universe would be infinitely larger than the Universe. It also makes me wonder...if no Life-forms are existing in the Universe, does "Information" still exist? I also wonder how will what they're studying change my life.

[ernststravoblofeld]

I wish I could find ONE video on constructor theory that starts with, "A constructor is: ..."

[thomasseptimius]

Lots of people calling BS on David Deutch. I would urge you to hold your horses and maybe dig a little bit more into where DD is coming from.

Understanding David Deutch and constructor theory requires a little more than just listenting to this presentation. I can recommend Fabrics of Reality and especially The beginning of Infinity. It's also important to point out that David is the godfather of quantum computation and he thinks about information very differently than most people normally do.

He is an amazing thinker, probably one of the most important of our time and his theory of knowledge is at the foundation of constructor theory.

[markpmar]

I had initially been skeptical of constructor theory due to the fact that I was misinterpreting (shades of irony here) what is meant by the use of the term "information". I realize now that this truly is the next level in physics due to the fact that literally everything is information and the "understanding" of the information is precisely what is NOT meant nor implied. The information precedes the understanding, the information is manifest by the things that are informed by it. Quite clearly, then, the next question is, "where or what is the origin of the information?" and I have to say, that is the most fascinating thing I can contemplate currently. Consider: why are there two charges or spin - positive and negative? There's also neutral, where did the charge information go? As I contemplated this, I realized there is an ENTIRE LAYER of the universe that must hold this information. Criminy!

[Burbituate]

HYPOTHESIS, constructor hypothesis. A hypothesis becomes a theory when the hypothesis predicts something and is observed.

[cerstvemlieko]

Oh, Bellatrix Lestrange, you are my favorite magician. <3

[andresagu]

this is definitely a teaser for what constructor theory actually is but it's really cool to notice how they've sort of - and this is a rudimentary thought - been inspired by one of the basics ideas of object oriented programming to begin to describe quantum physics. When they talk about the constructor theory, it sounds like they're trying to figure out what constructors the universe uses to create all the things we see in our physical universe. It's really cool to think of the universe also having defined constructors to create objects and information, perhaps it even allows for overloading constructors and default parameter values. If anyone has found any useful links to look deeper into this please do share!

[obijuan]

So what is the theory? When does constructer theory not apply?

[ginobean]

I would prefer to have just seen a simple example of Constructor Theory explaining ONE feature of reality better than the current laws of physics has been able to. As it is, it doesn't seem like Constructor Theory is anywhere close to being FALSIFIABLE..

[brandonpoehler]

Me: which came first? The chicken or the egg?
Constructor theory: Yes

[arnebovarne]

I think they need this theory mostly to get research funding or to make themselves interesting.

[kukhokuhletsengwa]

All the people in the comments complaining about "where is the actual theory". Go read the papers published by Deutsh and others my friends.

[mtw]

I'd like an explanation that goes something like "I see/experience X and want to know how Constructor Theory explains X and allows one to make predictions based on said experience." This presentation doesn't make any sense to a retired engineer (me.) Information isn't independent of context. This topic is certainly getting a lot of exposure on my Google News feed.

[vasukhanna]

I just understood in 11 minutes that what power "Constructor Theory" has! It can do a lot of things still remaining in the realm of physics. But I got almost no hint of what this theory actually is. It was as if the proffesors were advertising the theory. If anyone understood anything about the theory from the video do reply please.
Still an informative video. Thanks.

[tonyennis]

There are many words being spoken, but not a lot of information being passed to us. I feel like this video is trying to sell me something.