Chapter 6: A Simple Theory of Logic over Time

The Genesis of the Theory

As my career unfolded, one theme became increasingly clear: logic is never timeless. From the flowcharts of my early days to the modular systems and service buses of later years, I saw time and again how frameworks designed with perfect logic began to fail as their context shifted.

This insight crystallised into what I now call the Simple Theory of Logic over Time:
  -   Logic is not universal or eternal.
  -   Every logical framework is valid only within the temporal and contextual frame of its creation.
  -   Over time, conditions change, and with them, the validity of logic decays or evolves.

This theory emerged not from a single eureka moment but as a culmination of decades of experience. It reflects the lessons learned from every bug, every failure, and every adaptation I’ve encountered.

The Proof of Time-Dependent Logic

The theory is grounded in observable realities. Across science, technology, and governance, we see countless examples of logic tied to its time. Here are three that stand out:
1.   Y2K and Static Assumptions:
  -   The Y2K crisis exemplified the dangers of assuming logic is timeless. Early programmers, constrained by memory limitations, encoded dates as two digits, never imagining that the year 2000 would arrive with such force.
  -   Lesson: The logic was flawless within its context but became a liability as time moved forward. The cost of this oversight was a global scramble to update millions of systems—a stark reminder of time risk in logical frameworks.
2.   Blockchain and Quantum Computing:
  -   Blockchain, once hailed as unbreakable, is now facing existential challenges from quantum computing. Algorithms like Shor’s demonstrate how advances in technology can render previously sound logic obsolete.
  -   Lesson: Security frameworks must evolve alongside the threats they are designed to counter. Static logic, no matter how advanced, is always vulnerable to the march of time.
3.   Scientific Paradigm Shifts:
  -   Newtonian mechanics, once considered the ultimate truth, gave way to Einstein’s theory of relativity. The truths of one era became the stepping stones of another, highlighting the provisional nature of logic.
  -   Lesson: Scientific logic is always a snapshot, valid only until new data expands the frame.

Implications of the Theory

The Simple Theory of Logic over Time isn’t just an observation—it’s a call to action. If logic is inherently transient, then our systems, frameworks, and assumptions must reflect that reality.

1.   Time Risk in Design:
  -   Every system we build carries time risk—the likelihood that its logic will become invalid as conditions change. Ignoring this risk is a recipe for failure.
  -   Example: Legacy systems like the IBM 1410, while robust, became brittle when faced with evolving business needs and user behaviours.

2.   The Need for Adaptability:
  -   Systems must be designed with adaptability at their core. This means creating frameworks that can evolve alongside their environment.
  -   Example: Modular architectures and service-oriented designs exemplify this principle, allowing individual components to adapt without destabilising the whole.

3.   Rethinking Permanence:
  -   Permanence is a liability. The belief that logic is eternal leads to brittle systems and outdated truths. Instead, we must embrace impermanence as a strength.
  -   Example: AI systems, which are poised to replace traditional application software, must incorporate mechanisms for reassessment and evolution, or they risk becoming obsolete.

A Framework for the Future

The theory suggests a new approach to design and decision-making:

1.   Anticipate Change: Build systems that assume change is inevitable.
2.   Design for Adaptability: Create modular, loosely coupled frameworks that can evolve without collapse.
3.   Embed Time Risk Awareness: Treat time risk as a first-class design consideration, ensuring systems can adapt to shifts in their environment.

This framework isn’t just for technology. It applies to governance, ethics, and even personal decision-making. The lesson is universal: success lies not in avoiding change, but in navigating it.

Closing Reflection

The Simple Theory of Logic over Time is more than a technical insight; it’s a lens through which to view the world. It reminds us that the truths we hold today are milestones, not destinations. Logic, like everything else, is bound by time, and it is our ability to adapt that defines our success.

In the chapters that follow, we’ll explore how this theory applies to the challenges and opportunities of the modern world—from the rise of AI to the profound implications of quantum computing.

﻿HOW DO YOU RUN SHOR'S ALGORITHM?

You can’t. 

The largest number factored to date with Shor’s Algorithm is 21. And the smallest possible number to factor with the algorithm is 15. That is a very narrow range for two specific reasons. First, Shor’s Factoring Algorithm requires large numbers of qubits, as previously mentioned, and large numbers of qubits do not exist. Second, present-day qubits are “noisy,” which means they are remarkably error-prone. The circuit depth required by the algorithm produces results with so many errors that it is impossible to distinguish correct solutions from incorrect ones.

In other words, RSA and other potentially-vulnerable cryptosystems are safe. For now. NIST continues to work toward selecting a post-quantum standard, otherwise known as a “quantum-safe” standard, to hopefully be implemented widespread long before enough fault-tolerant qubits are available to realize this pending threat.

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