A 'glider' is a self-propagating pattern generated in Conway's Game of Life. It's a basic simulation of complex behavior using a grid governed by simple rules made to suggest isolation, reproduction, and overpopulation. These simple rules produce some incredibly complex patterns, some of which can be likened to creatures. The 'glider' is a very basic one that travels in a relatively straight line and can be used to activate or transmit information between other patterns.
One actually showed up drilled into the side of a new retina Macbook Pro; I wrote it up for TechCrunch (with suitable woolgathering):
http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/23/laocoon/
This Game of Life uses a totally different grid style, which changes the patterns that emerge and the math involved. This guy has created a glider for a rhomboidal grid environment, and that's... pretty cool.
No word on that - not very many people want to drop two large on a laptop and then peel back every layer. But I'd say if we see it even once more that's a sign that it's probably a constant. Glad you liked the article.
One actually showed up drilled into the side of a new retina Macbook Pro; I wrote it up for TechCrunch (with suitable woolgathering): http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/23/laocoon/
This Game of Life uses a totally different grid style, which changes the patterns that emerge and the math involved. This guy has created a glider for a rhomboidal grid environment, and that's... pretty cool.