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Lawrence, here is the link to the Times article on Stephen Wolfram's book "A new kind of science". Despite the fact that these scientists keep talking about "simplicity", I don't really get it myself. . . I can't understand the basic concept of a "universal computer". How a bucket of rusty nails can be a "universal computer" is beyond me. However, these discussions do remind me of my experiences getting caught up in long poems (probably similar to those of prose narrators too). You start up with a set of "inputs" and run with it, and what reels out - chaotic or intricately ordered - is more than you could have expected or planned. You become a computer. The inputs make the difference though - the algorithm. Henry >Did This Man Just Rewrite Science? > >June 11, 2002 >By DENNIS OVERBYE > > > > >Dr. Stephen Wolfram's "A New Kind of Science" may be the >scientific publishing event of the season, but whether it >is a revolution in science as well must await the judgment >of his peers. > >http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/11/science/11WOLF.html?ex=1024890283&ei=1&en=374edc0d32da41c7