This article illustrates one of the fascinating ways in which cellular automata have evolved into a truly useful analytical tool. However, would it not be more linguistically consistent, not to mention more accurate, to refer to the methodology as “in virtuo” rather than “in silico”? In another 50 years, the use of silicon as a computing medium may well be an historical curiosity. And to split hairs, isn’t “in silico” really “in vitro”? After all, they’re made of the same thing.

Michael L. Wright
Tallahassee, Fla.