David Wolpert on the No Free Lunch Theorems and Why They Undermine the Scientific Method

Explore the profound implications of the No Free Lunch Theorems in this 52-minute talk by David Wolpert at the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into the intersection of mathematics and physics, examining the limitations of scientific models and the nature of intelligence. Learn how these theorems challenge our understanding of optimization strategies and their impact on fields ranging from computer science to evolutionary biology. Discover the ongoing debates sparked by Wolpert's work and gain insights into the fundamental constraints of knowledge acquisition. Engage with complex ideas about the relationship between abstract mathematical concepts and the physical world, and consider how these insights reshape our approach to scientific inquiry and model-building.

Introduction
Welcome
Davids background
No Free Lunch Theorem
No Free Lunch
Free Lunch Theorems
Coevolutionary Gaming
Crossvalidation
Why does math work
Two theorems