[grive]

An encoding which varies over time, dependent on previous states does not seem impossible. I don't think this is disqualifying to say that a sufficiently complex system cannot then simulate an abstract machine.

It does not make the article argument valid however, just that the iron bar argument is still worth thinking about.

The article says that consciousness cannot be computing because it requires an observer to derive meaning. Nothing precludes sufficiently complex encodings to themselves be accurate simulations of abstract machines. I think such class of simulations being able to support themselves might be the nature of consciousness. Some physical systems might be better suited to allow the emergence of such recursive simulations.