Re: Unbacktrackability

Richard Bollard wrote:
> On 7 Oct 2005 16:34:40 -0700, "Iain" <iain_inkster@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >
> >I am trying to summarise philosophically the means by which complexity
> >arises in nature. I am describing the idea that, given that whatever
> >hinders a population without ending it only makes it apter, and that
> >this process cannot restart in order to achieve a simplified means of
> >being functional, that complexity arises from the inability of
> >functional development to backtrack, and so a machine-building
> >mechanism is set in motion, always finding a roundabout means of
> >surviving.
> >
> >I am trying to express that concept of having work that you cannot rub
> >out with an eraser, or start from scratch. Imagine a designer who can
> >only ever modify what he has, like an organised mess, to deal with the
> >latest circumstances, and simply has to make the most of previous
> >developments in conjunction with his new ones.
> >
> >Any ideas?
> >
> Another way of looking at it is that mutations are random and if they
> don't hinder anyone, they have a chance of being passed on through the
> generations. Why are our ear lobes different shapes? Because it
> doesn't matter.
>
> Not all changes have anything to do with improvement or functionality.
> They just happen.

Ear lobe shapes oscillate through the generations but they will not
evolve(accumulate change) unless it does matter.

Only functional change is cumulative.

~Iain

.

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