Alchemy

TL;DR -- For three years now, we have seen a chase after several things: AGI; scaled computing; lots and lots more. Alchemy was respectable for a long while. It still ought to be. 

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The title? Some say that Aristotle so loved by science and pupil of Plato was the cause of the rise of this discipline. Heard of it? If not, alchemy is more than attempting to turn copper into gold in search of riches. Though, modern physics has altered matter. 

We are following another thread, though. You see, the search for AGI which we witnessed of late with the AIn't and tAIn't occupying our minds and computers while wasting gobs and gobs of resources is a modern example. And, it's here for us to study. 

On the other hand, wise engineers respect the efforts of alchemy which some say changed into modern chemistry. Here is an example reference from a College of Engineering. 

The Engines of Our Ingenuity (Cullen College of Engineering)  

The page starts with a quote from George Meredith:  

See ye not, Courtesy Is the true alchemy, 

Turning to gold all it touches and tries?

From asking if character (transformation thereof) might be an example of a proper pursuit for alchemy, the article looks at the history. Too, quantum mechanics is referenced as a modern example. For us, the work on quantum computers will be discussed under the guise of this post. 

We are also pursuing this since the LLMs seem to be falling apart. Companies pushed to bring this bad boy into the process of their company. Many times? Not finding the expected gains. 

Reminder, our theme is technology since the U.S. has lead in this area and will continue to do so. 

Alchemy has many concepts of note. For now, we can mention the active/passive pair. We will have a post about a new approach to designing Radio Frequency boards such as those in a phone. In that sense, the pathways of metal are passive with the flow and its control by components is active. One does not dominate the other. In another sense, geometry can be used as an example of the passive state; but, then one brings in the  algebraic parts of the system and active (via function) arises again. 

The search for AGI got lost. We will look at that. 

Note: As we proceed in discussing the complexities of STEM stuff, we will make use of the SEP. Here is an example in this context: Philosophy of Chemistry. 

Remarks: Modified: 07/31/2026

07/31/2026 --