Re: Evolution makes no predictions that are SPECIFIC ENOUGH to be applied to technology

> Evolution supposedly proceeds by "random" mutation. This is too vague.
> Such vagueness cannot be applied toward any type of technology.

That's not correct. First of all, evolution proceeds by the combination
of "random" mutation and non-random selection. Second, pseudo-random is
good enough in most cases, and can be easily included in any technology
that includes a computer. In those rare cases where pseudo-random is
not good enough, it costs only a small amount extra to include a true
random number generator.

Finally many "Monte Carlo" algorithms run just fine with random (or
pseudo-random) numbers, and likewise "genetic algorithms" which mimic
natural selection use (pseudo-)random numbers. In fact the randomness,
what you call vagueness, is essential to making these algorithms work
properly.

> Now, some might say "But random decay in radioactive elements leads to
> the technology of nuclear weapons. Are you saying that nuclear weapons
> don't work?"
> Of course they work. They work because there is an element of
> predictability that is lacking in evolutionary theory.

Evolutionary theory is equally predictive in a different way. Whatever
selection pressure is applied, so long as mutations produce a gradient
of possible outcomes per selection pressure, evolution will proceed
toward greater and greater fitness per that selection pressure.

> zero technological applications can arise from evolution, since
> evolution makes no predictions that are SPECIFIC ENOUGH that they could
> be applied in any type of technology.

In natural history, we often don't know what selection pressure was at
work on particular organisms at particular times. But in technology, we
do have control over selection pressure, as well as on the variance of
mutations, and with that information we should be able to calculate the
rate of evolution in our emulated-evolution (genetic algorithms).
..

.

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