Comment by svantana
17 hours ago
It's an interesting article but I fail to see the point they are trying to make. I always thought of reversible computing as a sort of platonic ideal that cannot truly exist in real life, but the principle can still be used to reduce waste heat and energy use. For example, it will be interesting to see if the chips from Vaire ever become practically useful:
> I always thought of reversible computing as a sort of platonic ideal that cannot truly exist in real life
It's been experimentally demonstrated. Practical or not, the effect is real.
Where? If you mean that a computation was performed without creating any entropy, I'm skeptical. Surely some energy input was needed, and some energy was dissipated.
From the abstract, the idea is that we can continue to shrink: "...in a manner in which no thermodynamic entropy is created or passed to the surroundings."
The objection seems to be the "free lunch" assumptions being made about shrinkability.
"What Is TANSTAAFL?" https://youtu.be/ZrZUe7R44eA?si=oK2H1L9ha1zQhDOh