Hurricanes and Life

From: dar7yl (no_reply_at_accepted.org)
Date: 09/28/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 07:28:08 +0000 (UTC)

Lately, the Caribbeans and Southern US States have been deluged with
multiple hurricanes. My deepest concerns and sympathy go to all those
affected by this tragedy.

During this time, the media has been subjecting us to countless satellite
photos of the hurricanes and their paths.

I noticed something interesting. The source near the west coast of Southern
Africa reminds me of something I used to play with long ago at school - the
"Game of Life", and the "Glider Gun".

The glider gun is a bit of cellular automata which generates little bits of
automata - gliders, which shoot off on a track across the cellular universe,
in much the same way that hurricanes are being generated by the African
source.

I remember wasting countless hours studying the characteristics of cellular
automata. (Ok, actually I was just playing games:). My mates and I would
set up elaborate scenarios with glider guns and other constructions, and
have massive battles in Life-Space. We would set up barricades and opposing
weaponry to attack our opponents and defend our own installations. It's
amazing how a few well-placed blinkers and blocks could disrupt a glider
stream.

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed this phenonema, and if it has
application to actually control the effect of hurricanes.

Comments?

regards,
    Dar7yl

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