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To: Junior
I was trying to point out that evolution never starts from scratch.

Okay, but the analogy is still too flawed. A more correct version in my mind would be draw poker, but that requires a mind.

1,252 posted on 03/22/2002 6:20:47 AM PST by AndrewC
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To: AndrewC
No analogy is perfect, but the "start from scratch lottery" analogy was way off the mark.
1,274 posted on 03/22/2002 7:13:04 AM PST by Junior
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To: AndrewC
A more correct version in my mind would be draw poker, but that requires a mind.

Me: I could easily create a program that would play draw poker - no one would say the program had a mind.

You: A mind created the program.

Me: Suppose instead I create a simulation in which there is a breeding population of genetic programs. They are crossed randomly but selected by a draw poker fitness function. Based on my knowledge of other work in the genetic programming arena, some very good draw poker playing programs will emerge.

You: A mind created the simulation.

True. Any time I see a computer program I infer that a mind created it. But there is a difference between the simulation program and the process which it carries out. It is the latter which is the analog for biological evolution and which is being carried out mechanically. I consider this pretty strong evidence pointing to the plausibility of the naturalness of biological evolution. No doubt you disagree.

1,426 posted on 03/22/2002 12:49:38 PM PST by edsheppa
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