Non-iterative mechanisms for exploring Vast state spaces

Determine whether any physical mechanisms, other than iterative generate-and-test or growth-and-development processes, can non-iteratively explore the combinatorially Vast state space of possibilities to discover viable candidates; specifically, investigate whether quantum measurement collapse could produce a viable candidate in a single step, or whether iterative preparation of superposition states is still required to yield a viable candidate with non-negligible probability.

Background

The paper argues that core biological processes such as evolution and development are inherently iterative and thus embedded in natural time. It asks whether there exist fundamentally different, non-iterative mechanisms that could effectively navigate the Vast state space of possibilities life must explore.

Within this context, the authors raise the possibility of quantum collapse as a candidate mechanism, while acknowledging uncertainty about whether iterative structuring of superpositions would still be necessary to make such collapses yield viable outcomes with non-negligible probability.

References

Are there physical mechanisms other than generate and test or growth and development, that could be exploited in order to explore the Vast state space of possibilities more effectively, and in a non-iterative manner? Could, for example, some form of quantum collapse to a viable candidate be possible in a single step? Or would there still need to be some iterative process to arrange the superposition state into a form where collapse yields a viable candidate with non-negligible probability? These are open questions.

— Open Questions about Time and Self-reference in Living Systems (2508.11423 - Abramsky et al., 15 Aug 2025) in Section 3.3 (Alternative non-iterative processes)