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How I Got Gnarly, Rudy Rucker

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The article describes how Rudy Rucker’s curious interest in celluar automata led to his career in mathematical computer science at San José State University. After conducting interviews on the theory of cellular automata as a freelance writer, he felt compelled to be involved in this great intellectual revolution in computer-aided experimental mathematics. Committed to reinventing himself, Rucker's interactions with mathematicians inspired him to write “Mind Tools”, a book that surveys mathematics from the standpoint that is information. After publishing his book, in 1987, he was eventually offered a position at SJSU in the Mathematics and Computer Science department. With assistance …