Programming the Universe: A Quantum Computer Scientist Takes on the Cosmos

by Seth Lloyd

What does the universe compute? It computes itself. The universe computes its own behavior. As soon as the universe began, it began computing.

Photons (particles of light), phonons (particles of sound), quantum dots (artificial atoms), superconducting circuits—all these microscopic systems can register information. And if you speak their language and ask them nicely, they will process that information for you.