Stephen Hawking's Grand Design
Posted: December 27th, 2013, 3:19 pm
The two episode program called "Stephen Hawking's Grand Design: The Meaning of Life" mentions John Conway and his "Game of Life" starting at about 12 minutes into the first episode. Other than explaining the simple rules, there are a few shots of example patterns found in golly running on a flat grid but using 3D perspective and a simulated moving camera to add interest.
However, there is an apparent programming error in one of the flyby views: there is a beehive with one cell attached to the side (forming a pre-block) that does not evolve with the rest of the pattern as the camera pans. Many here will recognize this pattern as one that finally evolves to the same result as an R-pentomino, but it appears to be a still life in the show. The other pattern demos appear to be correct. This show is on Netflix/YouTube if you haven't seen it already on Discovery Channel.
However, there is an apparent programming error in one of the flyby views: there is a beehive with one cell attached to the side (forming a pre-block) that does not evolve with the rest of the pattern as the camera pans. Many here will recognize this pattern as one that finally evolves to the same result as an R-pentomino, but it appears to be a still life in the show. The other pattern demos appear to be correct. This show is on Netflix/YouTube if you haven't seen it already on Discovery Channel.