Artificial Life Experiments Show How Complex Functions Can Evolve

NSF ^ | May 8, 2003 | Staff

[general_re]

Your sources are incomplete - I remembered another blue food. Neither of them make reference to the blue corn being grown nowadays, which at least a few snack companies have used to produce blue tortilla chips...

[CobaltBlue]

I personally find it comforting that machines don't feel emotions such as greed, jealousy, rage, overweening pride or vindictiveness. Yikes! And I truly truly hope they never develop a sense of superiority to humans! Double yikes!

Oh, and then there's insanity. Isn't it a Good Thing that machines don't suffer from depression, schizophrenia, paranoia, or psychosis?

[general_re]

Creation types never actually talk about what they believe, personally, they just try to shoot holes in what evolutionists say.

You've noticed that, have you? That's because there's this sort of implicit assumption on the other side of the aisle that there are precisely two possible explanations for the origin of life - Biblical special creation, and evolution via natural selection. Therefore, the idea is that by poking enough holes in evolutionary theory, Biblical special creation becomes the default explanation. The fact that this is a false dichotomy and the fact that there is no such thing as a default explanation in science does not enter into the thought process, apparently. Theories are evaluated in light of one another, and not strictly on their own merits - the accepted theory is the theory that explains the facts better than all the rest, but obviously creationists are not particularly prepared to put their pet theory side-by-side with evolutionary theory, so that we can evaluate which one is really the stronger theory - I suspect that they know in their hearts that creationism could never survive such a comparison, and so they forswear an honest and fair fight between the two theories in favor of what can reasonably be described as a series of drive-by shootings.

That being said, Andrew is much too clever to be boxed into Biblical literalism in creation, or any other variety of universal special creation theory, which, if you drag his counter-theory out of him, I think you will see. For reasons that are largely opaque to everyone else, however, he likes to give aid and comfort to Biblical literalists and their ilk, despite not actually believing in that sort of thing himself.

[general_re]

Courtesy ping to my last post - feel free to revise or amplify as you see fit. ;)

[longshadow]

Rainbow-skipping placemarker

[PatrickHenry]

Returning to the subject of green mammals, it is a little-known fact that Bigfoot is covered with green fur, which explains his elusiveness.

[donh]

Oh, and then there's insanity. Isn't it a Good Thing that machines don't suffer from depression, schizophrenia, paranoia, or psychosis?

Well, I'd say it would be a good thing, if, in fact, they didn't. I'm inclined to think that a good general characterization of the things you are describing is reduction to machine-like behavior of humans, who, when they are up to snuff, know better.

[general_re]

There's a green(ish) polar bear at the zoo here - I think the heat is promoting chameleonism in the mammals. That's my theory, but they won't let me in there to tranquilize the animal and take samples...

[AndrewC]

Nothing substantive, just constant nibbling.

I assume that you've never really taken the trouble to learn about the fossil record because you think it's irrelevant, but you're too proud to admit it.

CB, this thread is about programming. No one is even talking about the actual source of this thread. I commented on what one of the principles of the article stated and was leventually ed to a "circuit challenge". These thread are put up for comment and they have a theme. I am now engaged in a discussion about a peripheral yet closely related item. If you don't like it then I suggest you don't participate.

[Michael121]

First of all you read that which with you agree. You search out material to help your argument. Typical of those with agendas.

I look at more than one source of information. I do not take one's opinion as fact. The Hiesenberg Principle should always be followed.

My teachers have failed me?

First of all, I live and learn through life. Certain principles are not as "teachers" say. Math is a constant. Language has rules. Science is not absolute. The Hiesenberg Principle once again.

And it is not my opinion of the appearence of modern man. It is being debated by the science community right now. Because it goes against what they have been saying.

Fossil records??? You mean like A T-Rex standing tall which these scientists agreed years ago. But today they can say it would break its back. You mean like the Brontosoras that they put together wrong. You mean like about 10 years ago a science confirmed a fossil of a new beast and that was a HOAX?

Like the science books saying that the earth would be covered by water 5 MILES deep if the Ice Caps melted? So far you footing is on soft sand.

[Nataku X]

If you can tell me what you're trying to prove, I'd appreaciate it.

However, don't think you can say that the world of GAs is nothing because you can just wave a hand and say nothing useful has come out of random processes. You said that they had "nothing" and tried to C/P a "For Further Reading" list (for the laymen, even) to back up your assertions that they had "nothing".

You can track down the original authors, the original peer-reviewed articles, and so on to get the full story and to learn about GAs and about the 9-transistor circuit versus the patent you're talking about.

You did not bear good witness. You called their work nothing and cited deliberately misleading information in favor of your position. And then, using that list of references which you perfectly well knew was meant to be for further reading for interested laymen, not the original peer-review articles, you tried to smear some good computer scientists, and all evolutionists by extension.

I'm not going to play more of the "Since they won't show me their research, I'm going to sit here and call them frauds until they, or other Freepers, give me their research" game, you may have the final word in our debate.

Have a nice weekend; seeya.

[f.Christian]

Science has't changed since it existed -- was created ...

people thanks to evolution // drugs ---

are getting dumber !

[Nataku X]

Out of curiousity, is Hawaii worth moving to or does the economy stink down there? How's the IT employment down there? Taxes?

[PatrickHenry]

First of all you read that which with you agree. You search out material to help your argument. Typical of those with agendas. I look at more than one source of information. I do not take one's opinion as fact. The Hiesenberg Principle should always be followed.

You said there were no "in-betweens" so I offered you a link that indicates there are many. You have no response to this, yet you accuse me of selective reading. I assume that you will continue to read your favorite sources which claim there are no "in-betweens." No selectivity there.

My teachers have failed me?

Yes. In any event, welcome to FreeRepublic.

[AndrewC]

Courtesy ping to my last post - feel free to revise or amplify as you see fit. ;)

You are correct. I am not a literalist in relation to portions of the Holy Bible.

[general_re]

The Hiesenberg Principle should always be followed.

Indeed, and don't ever let me catch you asserting that you know both the position and momentum of a particle to the same degree of precision ;)

[f.Christian]

Hawaii is moon gravity (( time )) ...

you need a good hobby (( surfin // biking )) to survive ---

everything is ageless (( all the younger woman are attracted to older guys )) ...

rough !

[general_re]

That much is readily inferrable, but beyond your apparent fondness for Shapiro's work, it's not at all clear what you would propose to replace those portions of current theory that you seem to object to. And I point this out in the spirit of honest inquiry - unlike some others, I can at least imagine you being persuaded to change your mind ;)

[Nataku X]

That's a shame... lived there 20 years ago & wouldn't mind going back.

all the younger woman are attracted to older guys

Money, property, cars, dontcha know... the eternal female catnip! :o)

[Doctor Stochastic]

...Creation types never actually talk about what they believe...

Perhaps that's because thay have no beliefs? We have been trying to get some of the Creationists to just state simple things such as: how old do they believe the earth to be. The Kefauver Committee got more responses.