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Author Topic:   Proof of evolution!!!
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 13 of 110 (263998)
11-29-2005 3:00 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Christian7
11-28-2005 5:17 PM


Evolved
Yes, computers have evolved, they have changed over time. You, mr alien, have made a valid inference. Some aliens have suggested that all computers were created at the same time by humans, and that the sun went supernova for 40 days (this they claim was the reported explosion, despite there being evidence of a massive string of nuclear detonations on the earth surface), sorting the computer remains (indeed all remains) into perfect order before the supernova cooled down and the sun went normal again.
So congratulations for not invoking the magic sun hypothesis.
Now, you need to develop a Theory for your inferred phenomenon of computers changing throughout time. I doubt its going to be the same as the biological theory of evolution (which you are trying to lampoon), you don't even have the starting observations of Darwin, no reproduction, no fecundity, no population stasis, no heredity. There are also no later observations, there is no mechanism that one computer can use to pass its design onto offspring. If you dig through the dirt long enough you'll also find computer factories, blueprints and design specifications. Perhaps you'll even find a computer that has not been fully built yet, a tremendous aid to your research.
I would say the evidence would clearly point to advanced tools of an advanced organism as a starting point for a theory.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Christian7, posted 11-28-2005 5:17 PM Christian7 has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 36 by Darkmatic, posted 11-30-2005 9:41 AM Modulous has not replied
 Message 51 by bkelly, posted 11-30-2005 9:29 PM Modulous has replied

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 62 of 110 (264679)
12-01-2005 8:03 AM
Reply to: Message 51 by bkelly
11-30-2005 9:29 PM


Re: Evolved
No, computers have not evolved.
You might get away with that on semantics, but computer technology has certainly evolved. Evolved meaning 'changed over time', or implying 'progress'. It is nothing to do with anthropomorphic tendencies though. It isn't just life that evolves, and it isn't just humans. Stars evolve, companies evolve, music evolves.

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 Message 51 by bkelly, posted 11-30-2005 9:29 PM bkelly has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 63 by Phat, posted 12-01-2005 8:38 AM Modulous has not replied
 Message 66 by NosyNed, posted 12-01-2005 10:58 AM Modulous has replied

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 68 of 110 (264733)
12-01-2005 11:35 AM
Reply to: Message 66 by NosyNed
12-01-2005 10:58 AM


Re: Semantics
Many words have different meanings; sometimes very different. The context is required to determine what they mean. On this forum "evolution" is used as a short form for "biological evolution" and,specifically, the way in which they changed over time. This involves the selection of imperfect replicators. (I think it can be shown that this doesn't have to be restricted to things we call "living" but that is a detail.)
Granted, which is why I qualified what I meant when I said 'computers have evolved':-
quote:
Yes, computers have evolved, they have changed over time.
Though perhaps the second comma should have been a semicolon?
Computers can not undergo biological evolution
Of course they can't.
The central point of my original post was that first we make an observation (we find fossils, we find discarded computer components) we then make an inference (life on earth has changed over time, computer technology on earth has changed over time), then we need a theory to explain this change (there were several phases of life and several catastrophes, Noah's being the last. Life has changed through a natural process of variation, heredity, fecundity and selection. Computers were all created at the same time and a supernova magically ordered them to appear like they changed throughout time. Computers were the tools of a tool using society of organisms).
There is no offspring heredity, reproductive fecundity or struggle for survival with computers, so the lampoon of the Theory of Biological Evolution fails.
If you use words carelessly you fail to communicate properly. Semantics are the heart of communication.
Agreed, which is why I conceded the term 'computers evolve' (since individual computers don't do much evolution) with 'computer technology evolves'. Still, the point remains, we cannot draw a comparison with Bio Evolution since the aliens don't have the same information that Darwin did.
If you use words carelessly you fail to communicate properly. Semantics are the heart of communication.
Its such a great point I'm repeating it. The OP was equivocating. He was trying to say that the observation of an event (the change of life on earth over time, or Evolution) is the same as the theory as to how that change occurred (or the Theory of Evolution). My post was a polite method of illustrating this equivocation.

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 Message 66 by NosyNed, posted 12-01-2005 10:58 AM NosyNed has not replied

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 98 of 110 (265184)
12-03-2005 4:33 AM
Reply to: Message 96 by Christian7
12-02-2005 7:33 PM


Re: Prophecies & Predictions
1. Junk DNA serves a purpose.
2. Alleged vegital organs serve a purpose
It doesn't differ from the predictions of ToE then? Only it has less of them, and they are less specific. Reminds me of Jerry's predictions and evidences.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 96 by Christian7, posted 12-02-2005 7:33 PM Christian7 has not replied

  
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