Algorithm discovers how six molecules could evolve into life’s building blocks

Re:Algorithm discovers how six molecules could evolve into l... by vmception on Sunday October 04, 2020 @01:45PM (#24680803)

There is also too many unknowns and assumptions about the goal.

From what I can tell, the best science right now is that if you simply put enough neurons in the same place, they'll start questioning the universe.

Why do these building blocks in some circumstances do anything? Why do they make life, or sentience, or even something to reproduce when the building blocks don't need to reproduce at all - nothing new is created or destroyed just the same building blocks being recycled in different configurations. Why would the building blocks go beyond the mere reproducing-life to something that thinks unnecessarily? All an accident that we can appreciate?

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Re:Algorithm discovers how six molecules could evolve into l... by fwip on Sunday October 04, 2020 @04:21PM (#24681987)

From one point of view, nothing is necessary. Life is not necessary, planets are not necessary, matter is not necessary.

From another, thinking is as necessary as anything can be. We observe thinking, therefore it exists. Anthropic principle.

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Re:Algorithm discovers how six molecules could evolve into l... by R0b0t1 on Monday October 05, 2020 @09:33AM (#24687603)

One interpretation is entropy increases at the maximum rate although such an assumption cant be derived.

More complex life is more anthropic than simple life and is then an eventuality.

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