Programming a new reality | Neil Gershenfeld | TEDxCERN

“Computer science is one of the worst things to happen to computers or to science,” said Neil Gerschenfeld at TED 2006. In this TEDxCERN talk, Gerschenfeld elaborates on how computer science, unlike physics, has arbitrarily segregated the notion that computing happens in an alien world. He talks about breaking down barriers between the digital and physical worlds, and gives us a glimpse of a revolution that could change the way our economy works.
Neil Gershenfeld is the director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, a lab that breaks down boundaries between digital and physical worlds, from creating molecular quantum computers to virtuosic musical instruments. He started Fab Lab, a global network that allows people access to prototype tools for personal fabrication. He also directs Fab Academy, an associated programme for distributed research and education in digital fabrication.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@morhelm]

What he means by "creating digital materials" is having materials whose composition and structures represent information/code whose interpreter is the physical laws. He's trying to replicate how DNA or something similar works. The current digital technology based on electrical/light signals flourished because it is easier to control electric/light pulses. In a sense, we are already using composition and structures of materials to represent code, such as in the case of optical storage devices.

[@Techxfoundry]

Extending the connection between Digital and Physical. Great. Concise.

[@mmendi1114]

Hard to understand for me, but I get this video is on to something important

[@taiwoolaleye6333]

I think I understand what he might be saying, for the first part, he is talking about what is next in terms of manufacturing, and how we can make things easier to manufacture, the second, he was just talking about he application

[@Daedhart]

Im not sure I get the connection he makes between isolated computer architecture and personalized fabrication. Yes, 3D printers are cool and yes, programming in an arbitrary logic-based language sucks. What do they have to do with each other? I am legitimately confused.

[@quark_E]

Same here

[@globalincident694]

I've read the paper he mentioned and it still doesn't make much sense. I think he's sort of making microchips but instead they're made of plastic (maybe?) and they're very cheap and you can design your own for some reason.

[@tinasjogren2078]

amazing speech

[@MichaelDeeringMHC]

"...and it changes everything." I can't wait.

[@robertrobinson5120]

snake tree programming. laugh. dna also programs matter.

[@kristianbooth6619]

+Michael Deering - You don't have to wait. Get on the Barcelona FabLab email list 2C what's up. 3D nano fabrication is where I am headed! Did you see the video on "Computing for a New Reality" - also a Ted Talk ....

[@ujwalkundur7169]

Wait, is it the LHC in the background?!

[@LLee0]

Excellent talk!!! Truly amazing!!!

[@CalumnMcAulay]

Some people are just too clever and I guess we should be grateful about that!

[@anishgupta7463]

Too nice

[@7orque]

fuck I wish this guy taught me at school

[@xmizz08]

no you don't trust me

[@MypMay]

Amazing

[@tarinai344]

I studied IT, and most of the time I couldn't understand what he is saying..

[@natelachae]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@meganschutte1674]

Is this responsible for the Mandela effect? Can someone please tell me if that's possible?

[@troyt3488]

first what do you think the Mandela effect is because mandella effect actually means brain washing by Chiang a piece of your memory

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Moonraker - Dolly's Braces :) QC

[@jades1197]

wow.. thanks ted.. just fell asleep IN 8 SECONDS with the word CERN and TED...and physics.. SOUNDS IMPOSSIBLE RIGHT?

[@troyt3488]

wait a minute your saying we United our simulations as one considering the slit splitter has multiple images of the same particle so now we are a pinnacle and all that data is one....that's why our media keeps overlapping lol

[@i.C.Infinity]

I understood it all but I'm sure his jumping between vast concepts would have lost a few people on the journey. We are mere weeks to months from the full public emergence of a true meaning translation engine, by that I mean translation of any vision into all languages, including geometry, at a level that anyone or any machine of any level of intelligence can comprehend. The singularity of a united decentralized humanity in the lens of joyous, virtuous and compassionate responsible abundance.

[@edwarddalley4750]

Reference?

[@VuLamDang]

I however think that's the beauty of his talk - it's emphasis his point of every field is interconnected

[@chevon1920]

Why is everyone saying this is hard to understand, it wasn’t that difficult. I just feel like I’m going to die right before shiot gets real, 😫

[@aveenbabu]

Wtf is he talking about ? It's just so hard to understand

[@kristianbooth6619]

He is talking about decentralizing the means of production using distributed global maker communities sharing knowledge real time to increase innovations (including IoT nanocomputing)

[@qTnD42hR]

+Aveen Babu he's talking about exploring the global community workforce and programmable matter to ultimately transform the world, by breaking down the barrier between the virtual and the real with humongous processing power. In other words, in his vision there's only a single kind of science, one that doesn't distinguish between math/physics/engineering, and everyone can contribute to it.

[@TonyBublitz]

its like socialism for technology

[@dreia2405]

+André Mello Are you an engineer o scientist?

[@qTnD42hR]

I'm a computer scientist, though that means I took some engineering classes as well.

[@jondon4287]

Shit far boys this en here's got er plum figered out

[@thucnduy]

How on earth people from the third world can be as educated as people from the first world?

[@treplan01]

You are speaking only to native speakers ? So I think so . Please bigger sense .

[@matthewbracke]

*clap clap clap* wtf did he just say?

[@matiasdamian2267]

Is human going to create a god?

[@PuerinTheHunter]

A lot of obfuscation in this video. A waste of time.

[@green1sounds]

It's a shame but, He is annoyingly clever, don't assume intelligent people can communicate, I know lots of people who can communicate and show no signs of intelligence. It's like you're racing for knowledge, and he's in a car and you're walking. One day you will catch up, but you would just like a lift.

[@amcmr2003]

ugh.. 'bout time..

[@elfboi523]

We're tiny apes living on a tiny planet, and we're disturbing our biosphere so much that our own survival as a species is in danger. I don't think our technology will help us avoid the catastrophe that we caused with our technology. So we will never even get close to those remaining 90 zeroes.

[@muddywaters8706]

It's a double edged sword, balance with the natural world is what's necessary. Same tool, different usages.

[@elfboi523]

Nick A We haven't evolved the politics yet that would be necessary to deal with the global impacts of our technology use.

[@muddywaters8706]

+elfboi523 True, but at least we're agreed on a problem and not opposed to the idea of solutions. This finding of solutions can be done in a scientific manner and shared open source, built by those affected by this scarcity driven system that is killing them.

[@elfboi523]

Nick A The problem is that any real solution will create a system which threatens the wealth and power of the rich and powerful, a system which makes capitalism obsolete. Which is why they'll fight anyone trying to implement it.

[@mr.nobody8181]

+elfboi523 thats the problem! the rich dont want to give up a single thing to help the planet, they simply want more and more power and wealth. Power is the ultimate corruptor

[@JazevoAudiosurf]

he sounds nerdy af though, that makes it hard to listen :p

[@kristianbooth6619]

Just Google the concepts you don't understand and then watch again. He is speaking about what is available now and projects that are already in place. Watch other videos about IoT in Barcelona and you will catch on.