[Rod_Cloutier]

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 11:02 am Post subject: Biomorphs

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I was recently reading a book by Richard Dawkings called 'The blind watchmaker'. In his book he describes a computer simulation of evolution by natural selection. If you scroll down on the following link you can download the free simulation. (As well as other free games)

http://www.gsoftnet.us/GSoft.html

Biomorphs is a very interesting program. You start with a program with a very simple premise. A line that divides into two lines. Each of the the two new (baby) lines resemble the parent, then each line divides into two lines, and so forth. Dawkings inserted a prompt so the user can control the rate of natural 'chance' mutation.

After only a few mutations you get some very interesting fractal shapes. In each new shape 'generation' you choose one survivor 'parent' from 15 choices to parent the next generation of survivors. After only a hundred or so generations you quickly get things that look like insects, human faces, or rocket ships.

A very fun and free simulation game I recommend to everyone.

Dawkins major point being that evolution does not have a goal. Also by proxy, history does not have a goal. There is no preordained event that history is leading up to. A fact that is scary when you consider the illusion of historical progress, but empowering when you realise this means we have absolute free will to do anything.