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A comment on Verge Genomics (YC S15) Wants to Cure Neurodegenerative Diseases with Algorithms. Parent comment

Re:Verge Genomics (YC S15) Wants to Cure Neurodegenerative D... by timr on Tuesday July 21, 2015 @07:32PM (#9926659)
The difference between success and failure in biotech lead generation is finding a good lead.

That's something that is strongly influenced by luck. I can point to famous researchers who have made entire careers out of this sort of momentary serendipity, actually.

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Re:Verge Genomics (YC S15) Wants to Cure Neurodegenerative D... by w1ntermute on Tuesday July 21, 2015 @08:38PM (#9926950)
Yes, that is exactly my point. You cannot iterate your way to a serendipitous discovery.
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Re:Verge Genomics (YC S15) Wants to Cure Neurodegenerative D... by timr on Wednesday July 22, 2015 @03:31AM (#9928179)
Actually, that's the only way you get to a serendipitous discovery: you make lots of shots, and some of them go in the goal.
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Re:Verge Genomics (YC S15) Wants to Cure Neurodegenerative D... by w1ntermute on Wednesday July 22, 2015 @09:42AM (#9929565)
> you make lots of shots, and some of them go in the goal

That's not iteration, that's banging your head against a wall and praying for a miracle. Iteration implies methodically and continuously moving towards an optimal solution, not heading back to the RNG after each failed attempt.

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