[js1138]

It is an interesting concept that life could participate in its own design. We, of course, are participating in the design of future humans, but I have seen no evidence that variation exhibits any characteristics of intelligence.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your reply!

It is an interesting concept that life could participate in its own design.

Indeed. That is the point of self-organizing complexity.

I have seen no evidence that variation exhibits any characteristics of intelligence.

What would you assert are characteristics of intelligence that would be seen in a variation regardless of the agent - God, aliens, collective consciousness, self?

[Doctor Stochastic]

It is an interesting concept that life could participate in its own design.

It's called feedback. Individuals are part of their own environment. For example, if your parents didn't have any children, it's quite likely that you won't.