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  • Book
  • © 2015

It From Bit or Bit From It?

On Physics and Information

  • Published in cooperation with the renowned physics "think-tank" Foundational Questions Institute, FQXi

  • Specially reworked versions of the most exciting essays of over 180 submissions

  • Provides fascinating insights into, and new ideas about the role of information in physics

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Frontiers Collection (FRONTCOLL)

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eBook EUR 16.99 EUR 71.68
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  • ISBN: 978-3-319-12946-4
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Softcover Book EUR 17.47 EUR 93.49
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Hardcover Book EUR 93.49
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  • ISBN: 978-3-319-12945-7
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This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
  2. Introduction

    • Anthony Aguirre, Brendan Foster, Zeeya Merali
    Pages 1-3
  3. It from Qubit

    • Giacomo Mauro D’Ariano
    Pages 25-35
  4. The Tao of It and Bit

    • Ovidiu Cristinel Stoica
    Pages 51-64
  5. Information and the Foundations of Quantum Theory

    • Angelo Bassi, Saikat Ghosh, Tejinder Singh
    Pages 87-95
  6. These from Bits

    • Yutaka Shikano
    Pages 113-118
  7. Self-similarity, Conservation of Entropy/bits and the Black Hole Information Puzzle

    • Douglas Singleton, Elias C. Vagenas, Tao Zhu
    Pages 119-127
  8. Now Broadcasting in Planck Definition

    • Craig Hogan
    Pages 143-151
  9. Is Spacetime Countable?

    • Sean Gryb, Marc Ngui
    Pages 153-168
  10. Without Cause

    • Mark Feeley
    Pages 169-179
  11. Reality, No Matter How You Slice It

    • Ken Wharton
    Pages 181-196
  12. Bit from It

    • Julian Barbour
    Pages 197-211

About this book

The essays in this book look at the question of whether physics can be based on information, or – as John Wheeler phrased it – whether we can get “It from Bit”. They are based on the prize-winning essays submitted to the FQXi essay competition of the same name, which drew over 180 entries.

The eighteen contributions address topics as diverse as quantum foundations, entropy conservation, nonlinear logic and countable spacetime. Together they provide stimulating reading for all physics aficionados interested in the possible role(s) of information in the laws of nature.

The Foundational Questions Institute, FQXi, catalyzes, supports, and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology, particularly new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, but unlikely to be supported by conventional funding sources.

Keywords

  • Black Hole Information Puzzle
  • Contextual Quantum Mechanics
  • Discrete Spacetime
  • Fabric of Spacetime
  • Information in Physics
  • Information in Quantum Theory
  • Qubits as Fundamental Entities

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA

    Anthony Aguirre

  • Foundational Questions Institute, New York, USA

    Brendan Foster, Zeeya Merali

About the editors

Anthony Aguirre
Brendan Foster
Zeeya Merali

Bibliographic Information

Buying options

eBook EUR 16.99 EUR 71.68
Discount applied Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-12946-4
  • Instant EPUB and PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book EUR 17.47 EUR 93.49
Discount applied Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-36075-1
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Free shipping worldwide
    See shipping information.
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Hardcover Book EUR 93.49
Price includes VAT (Finland)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-12945-7
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Free shipping worldwide
    See shipping information.
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout