taylor@hplabsc.UUCP (04/20/87)
- - ARTIFICIAL LIFE An Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems organized by Chris Langton Center for Nonlinear Studies Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 September 21-25 1987 Artificial life is the study of artificial systems that exhibit behavior characteristic of natural living systems. This includes computer simulations, biological and chemical experiments, and purely theoretical endeavors. Processes occurring on molecular, cellular, neural, social, and evolutionary scales are subject to investigation. The ultimate goal is to extract the logical form of living systems. Microelectronic technology and genetic engineering will soon give us the capability to create new life forms "in-silico" as well as in-vitro. This capacity will present humanity with some of the most far-reaching technical, theoretical, and ethical challenges it has ever confronted. The time seems appropriate for a gathering of those involved in attempts to simulate or synthesize aspects of living systems. This workshop will provide a forum to address the fundamental problems inherent in such an enterprise. The goals of this first workshop on artificial life are: To bring the field of artificial life into focus. To present current work in artificial life, and to provide an historical perspective. To open a channel of communication between researchers from disciplines whose work is relevant to artificial life. To produce a list of fundamental questions that the field should address. To identify ways in which work on artificial life can contribute to theoretical biology. To organize the literature in the field by compiling an annotated bibliography. -------- (cut here and post above on appropriate bulletin boards) ---------- Format In the interest of maintaining the interactive atmosphere of a workshop, the format will be somewhat unusual. There will be invited and contributed talks, but an emphasis will be placed on panel discussions, posters, and exhibits. Because computers currently provide the most promising alternative to biochemistry as a medium for the synthesis of life-like processes, computer simulations and demonstrations are strongly encouraged! A.K. Dewdney, author of the "Computer Recreations" column of Scientific American, will oversee computer demonstrations. We also intend to devote an evening to movie and video presentations. We welcome proposals for contributions in any form, but given the finite time available, we will have to be selective. In addition to the activities listed above, there will be several competitions that participants can enter. In the spirit of a "4H-show", prizes will be given for the best artificial life forms. There will also be a Core Wars contest, in which computer programs reproduce and compete for occupation of memory. In addition, William Coderre of the Apple/MIT Vivarium Project will provide a computer environment within which participants will be able to design artificial organisms. Technical Support Participants with computer simulations or demonstrations are strongly encouraged to bring their own computing machinery if at all possible. We will provide a small local area network of Sun-3 workstations running UNIX 4.2 BSD with at least one color machine. Applications that run in standard Sun window environments will be supported. We can also provide several IBM PC's, Apple Macintoshes, and a CAM-6 cellular automaton machine. If you cannot provide the necessary hardware, try to make your application run on one of these systems. If your demonstration requires other equipment that you will be unable to supply, let us know the details and we will make a reasonable effort to obtain a loan from the manufacturer. Interactive and illustrative graphics displays are highly encouraged! Further Information If you are interested in attending the workshop, please fill out the "Information Form" at the end of this announcement and return it to one of the addresses listed below by JUNE 15. Queries about the workshop in general and requests for registration forms should be mailed to: ALIFE Workshop CNLS MS-B258 Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 Electronic mail should be addressed to: cgl@lanl.gov Phone inquiries should be directed to: Marian Martinez 505-667-1444 Further information will be available as the workshop evolves. --------------------(cut here, fill out and mail) ------------------- Information Form ARTIFICIAL LIFE Hosted by Center for Nonlinear Studies MS-B258 Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 Please fill out this form and return no later than JUNE 15, 1987. For non-U.S. residents, we need this form by: JUNE 1, 1987, in order to allow time for arrangements with the Department of Energy. NAME: -------------------------------------------------- last middle first INSTITUTION / AFFILIATION: -------------------------------------------------- FULL MAILING ADDRESS: -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- TELEPHONE (Work/Home) (and Telex for non-U.S. participants): -------------------------------------------------- CITIZENSHIP / TYPE OF VISA: SOCIAL SECURITY NO: --------------------------- ------------------ CONTRIBUTION A contribution is not required for attendance. However, attendance is limited to 150 people. Preference will be given to contributors. Contributions will be refereed. ( ) I intend to contribute. ( ) I do not intend to contribute. If you wish to contribute, please fill out the following. Form of contribution: ( ) Talk ( ) Film ( ) Poster ( ) Demonstration ( ) Other - Please specify: ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please attach a brief description/abstract of your contribution. Audio/Visual or special computer requirements: ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please return the information form and abstract before JUNE 15, 1987. Notifications of accepted proposals will follow by one month.