Maths · Four rules, one universe
What is Conway’s Game of Life?
What you’ll see
In 1970, John Conway invented a universe that runs on four rules. Each cell is alive or dead, and at every tick it counts its eight neighbours. An empty cell with exactly three comes to life. A living cell with two or three survives. Any other count, and it dies: too lonely, or too crowded. Give five cells this shape, and watch. Four ticks later, it's the same shape, one square further on. It walks. Arrange thirty-six cells just right, and they fire walkers forever. All from four rules. With enough of them, you could even build a working computer.
