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Evolver
Jun 19, 2008, 4:09:05 PM6/19/08
to Open-Ended Evolutionary Innovation / Quarantined Syst.
I do not fully understand the condition of quarantine. Natural
selection requires competition of 'resources'. What resources are
available to the individuals in quarantine? For selection to occur, we
need one of two conditions be met: 1) all individual are competing for
a single, limited resource or 2) two sources of energy are available
to the quarantined individuals - one is the standard energy source of
the organism and another is an energy source that cannot currently be
utilized by the individuals.
Regarding 1):
If the quarantine contains limited resources, then offspring (or
anything that acquires mutations in a computational simulation) that
have mutations allowing the offspring to obtain, digest or otherwise
utilize the energy source faster or more efficiently than their
siblings will have an evolutionary advantage.
Regarding 2):
Random mutations acquired by quarantined offspring allow certain
individuals to 'eat' a source of available energy that their
'genetically-normal' siblings cannot utilize. This should satisfy the
definition of evolutionary innovation. These mutated offspring are now
occupying a niche that their siblings cannot occupy. Over time, this
can lead to reproductive isolation, and therefore, by definition, a
new species.
Both conditions can be theoretically explained and experimentally
demonstrated as I have defined them above. Do these conditions differ
than the conditions you (the challenger) are interested in?
selection requires competition of 'resources'. What resources are
available to the individuals in quarantine? For selection to occur, we
need one of two conditions be met: 1) all individual are competing for
a single, limited resource or 2) two sources of energy are available
to the quarantined individuals - one is the standard energy source of
the organism and another is an energy source that cannot currently be
utilized by the individuals.
Regarding 1):
If the quarantine contains limited resources, then offspring (or
anything that acquires mutations in a computational simulation) that
have mutations allowing the offspring to obtain, digest or otherwise
utilize the energy source faster or more efficiently than their
siblings will have an evolutionary advantage.
Regarding 2):
Random mutations acquired by quarantined offspring allow certain
individuals to 'eat' a source of available energy that their
'genetically-normal' siblings cannot utilize. This should satisfy the
definition of evolutionary innovation. These mutated offspring are now
occupying a niche that their siblings cannot occupy. Over time, this
can lead to reproductive isolation, and therefore, by definition, a
new species.
Both conditions can be theoretically explained and experimentally
demonstrated as I have defined them above. Do these conditions differ
than the conditions you (the challenger) are interested in?
bkl...@gmail.com
Jun 20, 2008, 11:53:38 AM6/20/08
to Open-Ended Evolutionary Innovation / Quarantined Syst.
Quarantined System – The system is quarantined if, once the
demonstration begins, no additional instructions in any form are able
to be admitted. Theories of the origin of the universe may not be
invoked to establish that a system is quarantined. Un-coded energy and
materials needed to keep the demonstration running like electricity,
sunlight, food, etc., would be allowed.
Not allowed in a quarantined system are, for example –
In a biological system: additional DNA or RNA.
In a computer model: additional instructions in any form.
demonstration begins, no additional instructions in any form are able
to be admitted. Theories of the origin of the universe may not be
invoked to establish that a system is quarantined. Un-coded energy and
materials needed to keep the demonstration running like electricity,
sunlight, food, etc., would be allowed.
Not allowed in a quarantined system are, for example –
In a biological system: additional DNA or RNA.
In a computer model: additional instructions in any form.
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