Avida – Uncommon Descent

Artificial Intelligence Culture Darwinism Intelligent Design

Richard Lenski and Avida: But wait! Can software evolve?

Richard. W. Stevens is skeptical. He thinks the claims for Avida fail the most basic test. He wrote a simple program, InforMutation,to demonstrate that.

Artificial Intelligence Darwinism Evolution Intelligent Design

Jonathan Bartlett: Can computers simply evolve greater intelligence, Avida-style?

The failure to do so is consistent with Bill Dembski’s notion of displacement. Put simply, to develop complex functional systems, you can shift design around but you can’t actually get rid of it.

bornagain77 "the amazing products of the evolutionary process,",,, Save for the small fact that no one can ever seem to catch... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox BA @ 95 You have the cart before the horse, learning from nature, the amazing products of the evolutionary process,... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox And you, KF, invest much time in posting stuff here. I wonder what you think you achieve. Who is taking... – Man-ape chasm of differences
bornagain77 "But engineers seem particularly susceptible to (see) “Intelligent Design” as somehow a productive approach to understanding reality." I think I... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox I dunno, KF, I look at the physical world and try to see what is there rather than what I... – Man-ape chasm of differences
kairosfocus AF, has it occurred to you that familiarity with the substance and challenges of successful design allows us to appreciate... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox And another point: Querius: Note that at the time of the Scopes trial, over 100 “vestigial” organs were trotted out... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox Another parallel I see is the ID movement failing the fundamentalist Christian right as Trump is failing the Republican party. – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox But engineers seem particularly susceptible to "Intelligent Design" as somehow a productive approach to understanding reality. Martin_r is perhaps the... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Alan Fox I'm talking about you, Martin_r. – Man-ape chasm of differences
martin_r Alan Fox Classic illustration of the Dunning-Kruger effect. "The Dunning-Kruger effect effect occurs when a person's lack of knowledge and... – Man-ape chasm of differences
martin_r Querius It must be frustrating when you encounter statements from PyrrhoManiac1 such as That would be true if organisms were... – Man-ape chasm of differences
Querius Martin_r, It must be frustrating when you encounter statements from PyrrhoManiac1 such as That would be true if organisms were... – Man-ape chasm of differences
bornagain77 CD: "Defining “naturalism” as accepting only physical explanations for physical phenomena, it is hardly an “irrational position.” In fact, it... – The Thought that Stops Thought
BleacherBum SG I think I use the radical label for Tour because he is fiercely outspoken about his love of Christ... – According to sources: Sam Harris has...
Sir Giles BB@10, I wouldn’t classify Tour as a radical theist. Do you have any examples of him belittling atheists, muslims, Jews,... – According to sources: Sam Harris has...
Origenes Chuckdarwin @ Defining “naturalism” as accepting only physical explanations for physical phenomena, it is hardly an “irrational position.” In fact,... – The Thought that Stops Thought
chuckdarwin The CNS is composed of neural and glial cells, not "meat." – The Thought that Stops Thought
jerry In speaking of a consistent atheist, I was referring to someone whose worldview is internally consistent with the tenets of... – The Thought that Stops Thought
bornagain77 In what should be needless to say, if it is impossible for you to consistently live your life as if... – The Thought that Stops Thought
bornagain77 As to PM1: "If naturalism is true, then our thoughts are not real in themselves; they are only random physical... – The Thought that Stops Thought