how evolution works: learning theory (Evolution)

by David Turell , Monday, February 01, 2016, 05:42 (3217 days ago) @ David Turell

Another version of the same empty theory, evolution learning to be smarter:-https://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/why-scientists-now-think-biological-evolution-itself-is-intelligent/-"I don't think invoking a supernatural creator can ever be a scientifically useful explanation. But what about intelligence that isn't supernatural? Our new results, based on computer modelling, link evolutionary processes to the principles of learning and intelligent problem solving - without involving any higher powers. This suggests that, although evolution may have started off blind, with a couple of billion years of experience it has got smarter. "(my bold)-***-"In computer science we use algorithms, such as those modelling neural networks in the brain, to understand how learning works. Learning isn't intrinsically mysterious; we can get machines to do it with step by step algorithms. Such machine learning algorithms are a well-understood part of artificial intelligence. In a neural network, learning involves adjusting the connections between neurons (stronger or weaker) in the direction that maximises rewards. With simple methods like this it is possible to get neural networks to not just solve problems, but to get better at solving problems over time.-"But what about evolution, can it get better at evolving over time? The idea is known as the evolution of evolvability. Evolvability, simply the ability to evolve, depends on appropriate variation, selection and heredity - Darwin's cornerstones. Interestingly, all of these components can be altered by past evolution, meaning past evolution can change the way that future evolution operates."-Comment: Whew! Garbage in, garbage out. Gobbledygook!