Landauer’s principle claims that there is a thermodynamic cost to resetting, or erasing, information. This forges a connection between logical and thermodynamic irreversibility that some say gives rise to a new field ‘the thermodynamics of computation’ and that others denounce as heresy. This workshop brings together physicists and philosophers to see what new light can be shed on Landauer’s principle.

9.30-10 Katie Robertson - Welcome + Intro

10-11.15 Orly Shenker - Landauer’s Principle: What exactly does it say?

11.15 Coffee

11.30-12.45 Wayne Myrvold - Shakin’ all over: proving Landauer’s Principle without neglect of fluctuations

12.45-2.15 Lunch

2.15-3.30 Tony Short - Landauer's principle in quantum thermodynamics

3.30-3.45 Coffee

3.45-5 Sam Fletcher - Reversible computation undermines and vindicates Landauer's Principle.

5 - James Ladyman - Closing comments