Matt Wilbanks (with Lawrence Krauss)

Computation and Consciousness in an Expanding Universe

Recent evidence indicates that the universe is undergoing an accelerated expansion; this project is designed to pursue and discuss the consequences of the ever-expanding universe model for life in the very distant future.  Of particular interest will be the conditions, both satisfied and unsatisfied, for the gathering and processing of information large-scale structures in the universe.  Given that the total observable matter within our horizon decreases with time, is it possible that the total number of configurations of processed information could be infinite?  What are possible strategies for computation in this context?   I will explore the physical basis of computation, and attempt to understand the possible computational limitations imposed by the expansion of the universe.  Of possible interest will be a discussion of whether the limitations imposed on computation would entail and limitation on consciousness, whether the kinds of physical processes that accompany consciousness can be accurately identified as computation.