The Science of Free Will

Destined yet unpredictable: A new science of free will reconciling determinism, irreducibility, agency, and AI through physics and computation.

Every individual, from the most profound thinker to the casual observer, is composed of atoms - approximately 6.71×10^27 of them. These aren’t just any atoms ... they’re the same ones that construct galaxies, stars, and the vast expanse of the universe. Predominantly, we’re made of water molecules and a diverse mix of organic molecules. Intriguingly, every single one of these atoms operates under the deterministic laws of quantum electrodynamics. These laws, known since the 1950s, form the bedrock of chemistry, biology, and by extension, life as we know it. If the laws of physics fully determine the motion of every atom in our body, how could we possibly have free will - or do we have it after all?

Educated at Columbia University, I earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and was honored with an induction into the National Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi. My academic pursuits led me to the University of Texas, where I switched to theoretical particle physics, where my advisor was the extremely eminent E.C.G. Sudarshan and my dissertation committee included Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg.

However, the unexpected (and scientifically disastrous) cancellation of the Superconducting Supercollider prompted a pivot in my career. Recognizing the changing landscape of particle physics, I founded a futures trading company in 1993, becoming one of the very earliest adopters of chaos theory in the financial realm. This innovative approach was the foundation for a successful Commodity Trading Advisor. Subsequently, in 2001, I ventured into equities trading via VS Asset Management (www.vsasset.com). After 13 years of research, in 2016, VS Asset Management created and is currently successfully trading a unique investment methodology called Risk Timing™.

Beyond the financial world, I co-founded Palm Energy Systems (www.palm.energy) aiming to harness solar energy in spaces once considered unsuitable. My diverse patent portfolio, spanning fields from software to medicine, is a testament to my passion for innovation and exploration. Until December 2022, I was also Chairman and Chief Scientist for Applango Systems, where I developed AI algorithms to make call centers, SaaS and telecommunication companies much more efficient.

I have academic publications in mathematical physics, particle physics, and fluid dynamics. My early work with Mathematica led to groundbreaking publications and introduced me to the ideas of Stephen Wolfram. This exposure, combined with my expertise in areas like computation, Chaos Theory, and economics, and a firm nudge from bestselling author Tyler Cowen inspired me to write "The Science of Free Will."

On a personal note, my journey from academia to finance and entrepreneurship has been driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to understand and harness the complexities of our world. Writing this book is an extension of that journey, and I'm eager to share these insights with a broader audience.

In my spare time I enjoy playing guitar and squash. My back won't let me play golf any more! For computationally irreducible reasons, I have a particular fondness for detective and spy stories, and am obsessed with the music of The Beatles and Pink Floyd.