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Artificial Life Workshop

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Apr 20, 1987, 2:22:03 PM4/20/87

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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:

c...@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:

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last middle first

INSTITUTION / AFFILIATION:

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FULL MAILING ADDRESS:

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TELEPHONE (Work/Home)
(and Telex for non-U.S. participants):

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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:

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Title:

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Please attach a brief description/abstract of your contribution.

Audio/Visual or special computer requirements:

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Please return the information form and abstract before JUNE 15, 1987.

Notifications of accepted proposals will follow by one month.

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