There's a fundamental flaw in your analogy; in tape copying the best end point is defined as the starting point.
The end point could be better then the starting point I would think. I mean, the quality, definition etc. of the image could be better at the end than at the beginning.
Sort of like going from a DVD quality image to an HD quality image. (I'm referring only to image quality, not necessarily all the technology behind it of course)
So I don't think the starting point in my analogy is the best it could be, it still could go up or down.
If you're going to do an analogy, at least get one which reflects the reality you're trying to model.
Going from a DVD image to an HD image is not even close. There is no feedback mechanism!
With evolution, beneficial mutations are retained and spread through the population, while deleterious mutations are flushed from the population. There is a very active feedback mechanism at work.
There is no such mechanism in copying a DVD, or in any analogy involving non-living things.
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