For the majority of applications large parallel computers don't need to exhibit large scale synchronous behavior, as the operation of their components need not be completely deterministic to be useful. Other factors, such as the susceptibility of computers with large component counts to point failures, also make building large deterministic computers problematical. If it is not absolutely essential, using a computer which must be deterministic should be avoided wherever possible. However it seems likely that humanity will continue to find uses for deterministic operation. The demonstration here is designed to illustrate the idea that the possibility of generating global synchronous behavior through local interactions is of relevance to the clocking of large computers.
Much work needs to be done before it can be said that the concept is properly proven.
The simulation here makes no attempt to simulate a system composed of a network of analogue components with varying response times, in order to illustrate how this might exhibit global synchrony. More complex and realistic simulations are probably the most appropriate next stage in the development of the idea. No claim is made about how well it solves the target problem. Exactly what type of firefly system is most appropriate as the basis of a large deterministic computer is still very much an open question. Lastly, there are questions of power consumption and heat dissipation to be addressed.