Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep112 "How is computer code like magic?" (with Sam Arbesman)
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Jul 14, 2025 
Sam Arbesman, a complexity scientist and author of 'The Magic of Code,' joins to explore the enchanting similarities between computer code and magic. He discusses how code influences our daily lives and the challenges posed by increasingly complex systems. Arbesman delves into AI-generated code, the historical context of language, and hidden connections in science. He also draws fascinating parallels between coding and biological systems, highlighting creativity in programming and envisioning a future where coding is revered like art.
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Unexpected Email Limit Glitch
- A system had an email limit of about 500 miles due to an old software timeout related to speed of sound.
- Such glitches illustrate how code's complexity causes surprising, unanticipated consequences.
Code as Complex Living Systems
- Large, interconnected software systems become organic and complex beyond full human understanding.
- Legacy code and abstraction layers increase unpredictability and require biological modes of study.
Balancing Model Complexity
- Modeling complex systems requires balancing fidelity and simplicity based on goals.
- Simplified models aid understanding; complex models improve prediction but reduce insight.
