Discussion:
Questions About Your Experience with the cellular automaton Golly
Answer these questions based on your experience of playing with golly. No longer than 2 pages total. Obviously you won't be able to answer all the questions-therefore choose only the questions that are of greater interest to you. A hard copy of your answers is due
1. In what ways is golly an example of a cellular automaton?
2. How are cellular automata complex systems? Or are they simple systems?
3. Why do you think the professor assigned the students to play with golly?
4. How does golly exhibit emergent phenomena?
5. Describe several of the initial conditions or comfigurations you used when playing with golly.
6. Were the outcomes of the runs of these initial conditions predictable?
7. Did you get better at predicting the emergent simulations on golly?
8. What surprised you when you were playing with golly?
9. What appeared to be a natural and expected outcome of the initial conditions you used?
10. In what ways has playing with golly increased your knowledge of complex systems?