Processing Information
Universality is one way in which processing information is different that “processing matter”
A “matter processing” example ...
- Consider a grinder, say for grinding coffee ... it basically only grinds coffee or perhaps a few other similar size “beans”
… it doesn’t grind tree branches into compost
… it doesn’t grind steel to sharpen knives
… it doesn’t mix concrete
despite the fact these are essentially equivalent physical motions of a rotating appliance on a spindle
A computer can add new capabilities simply by adding new software