Computing power and model selection

Abstract The relationship between computing power and model selection, following a scenario suggested by Humphreys (and others), is investigated. Against the worrisome conclusions of this scenario it is argued that using computing power to tune models has not been the only goal of science so far. Other reasons for model selection were always in play. It is discussed if modern computing methods, supplied with contemporary compute, make pursuing model selection on the grounds of error reduction alone more appealing. The conclusion is largely negative.