Intelligence & Evolution (Evolution)

by David Turell , Friday, November 22, 2013, 19:56 (4017 days ago) @ dhw


> TONY: In David's view on the other hand, the complexity is not much greater than things we are already able to accomplish with fairly basic computer programs. Define a set of tasks, states, parameters, and variables, and then give the instructs as to how to handle them.
> 
> dhw: Yes, this is a good parallel to David's hypothesis. But the only way it can fit in with the vast spread of the evolutionary bush is if God put the instructions into the FIRST CELLS, providing billions and billions of programmes to be handed down through billions of generations to provide automatic responses to billions of different environments and situations. His alternative is constant intervention. My suggestion is that if God exists, he has provided cells with the "intelligence" to work out their own way of dealing with the billions of environments, challenges and situations that have confronted them throughout the history of life on Earth. Each innovation/ adaptation represents an individual decision by cell communities, thus leading to the colossal variety of life and lifestyles this planet has worked its way through. Do you really believe a fairly basic computer programme inserted into the first living cells could have accomplished this?-I do. And it is not intelligence, as I have just pointed out. It is information as life's plan plus an intelligent computer program in DNA to carry it out. We are the result of a living computer. You are missing the point. What I admit I cannot determine is total preprogramming or some dabbling. We still don't know enough about the intricacies of DNA/RNA controls over gene expression to make more accurate guesses. Genes only code for protein, but the production and intergration of protein into functional living organs is an enormous jump from there. We are just now beginning to get some sense of the size of comtrols over that jump, and the final jump to running the functionality of the program of that organ by more information or plans in the DNA. Crick's postulate that genes made proteins is correct, but is a narrow statement that shows he couldn't think beyond the end of his nose. Protein manufacture is just a very tiny smidgen of the living process. You do not seem to understand this, based on our previous discussions. Tony understands.