Back in the 1970s,an unexpected breakthrough was made by a mathematician
早在1970年代 一名叫约翰·康威的数学家有了意外的突破
named John Conway,here in Cambridge.
就在剑桥大学
He devised something called The Game of Life
他发明了一套"生命游戏"
A simple simulation that shows how a complex thing like the mind
这个简单的模拟展现了心灵这种复杂的事物
might come about from a basic set of rules.
可能源自一些基本法则
The simulation consists of a grid,a bit like a chessboard
这套模拟由网格组成 有点像一副西洋棋盘
extending infinitely in all directions.
朝着四方无限延伸
Each square of the grid can either be lit up,which he called "alive"
网格中的每个方格 要不是点亮 他称之为"活方格"
or dark,which he called "dead".
要不然就是黑的 他称之为"死方格"
Whether a given square is dead or alive
至于特定的方格是死是活
depends on what is happening in the eight other squares that surround it.
就取决于周遭其它八个方格的状态
For example,if a living square like this one...
举例而言 若一个像这样的活方格
has no living squares nearby...
周遭都没有活方格
the rules say it'll die of loneliness.
根据法则 它会死于寂寞
If a living square is surrounded by more than three other living squares
若一个活方格周围有超过三个其它活方格
The square will also die of overcrowding.
这个方格也会因过度拥挤而死