Are we at a stage in computing power yet, where we could create our own little universe inside a computer and test evolution?
I understand that no computer could rightly emulate an entire universe itself, the sheer scale of our universe makes obviously impossible. But how about one on a massively reduced scale?
Are we at a stage where we could start off with just a few single celled organisms and watch them develop and change naturally as they themselves see fit? Where we provide means of mutation, predators, prey, physical constants, reproduction, and adverse habitat conditions - and then see what happens? To see whether in this computer 'universe' evolution would occur?
I'm personally hopeful that we could, but any information from a professional would be fascinating.
2007-03-18 05:05:21 · 14 answers · asked by Adam L 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In response to Anthrop...
I must admit this was posted as a serious technical question.
The computer (in a PC/Desktop-sense) is no more than around 40 years old. Let alone 100 like you'd like to suggest.
2007-03-18 05:12:45 · update #1
Also, I firmly believe that Darwin's work and fossil evidence is enough too. But I just wondered if we had the computing power to replicate our own little universe.
2007-03-18 05:16:23 · update #2
sure, we have plenty of limited models. But you're talking about modelling an entire universe from start to inception of life and beyond. I don't think this is possible right now.
Spore looks like a interesting toy:
http://www.spore.com/
coming to a PC near you soon!
2007-03-18 05:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are all kinds of computer programs that show evolution happening on a simplified scale. It can't not happen. There are computer programs that evolve new computer programs. There are chemical reaction systems that are designed to evolve and select new chemicals and they work. Doing on an organism level can be done for simplified things. It is almost impossible for it not to.
But this is all of just academic interest and doesn't prove anything. It doesn't have to because the evidence that it happened is all there.
2007-03-18 12:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a matter of fact, right now on the border of France/Switzerland, they are constructing the largest machine ever built. It's sole purpose is to study the Big Bang and how our Universe was formed. They call it the Reactor, I believe it works some what like a nuclear reactor, but it is equipped with the very latest in censors and computing technology.
2007-03-18 12:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by Helzabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are too many anomalies and variables. For example human intelligence evolved specifically as a result of a gene called ASPM which stimulates rapid brain growth. We know that it is the cause of advanced human intelligence but we don't know the biological mechanism that causes it to mutate and increase brain development every few thousand years so it would be very difficult to programme a computer model to allow for seemingly random genetic variations like that.
2007-03-18 12:18:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe we have, or ever will have, sufficient computing power to model organisms on a molecular level, which is what would be required for such a test. There are a number of programs which model natural selection in various environments, but so far as I know they don't attempt to replicate the complexity of DNA.
2007-03-18 12:10:31 · answer #5 · answered by mjb63114 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all the science out there it will never prove evolution.
There are still many missing pieces to evolution. We can even explain where dogs came from (foxes, wolfs ?)
If god has all the power in the world he could have just planted everything there in one day and made us believe it was from a long time ago.
2007-03-18 12:10:56 · answer #6 · answered by iceblendedmochajavo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been hundreds of computer models. All of them work with a varying degree of sucess.
But the best evidence we have for evolution, is evolution itself and the fossils that clearly demonstrate descent.
2007-03-18 12:09:43 · answer #7 · answered by Yoda Green 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. The real question is how intelligence evolved. Do you really believe that in our short history we went from the intelligence of an ape to what we are today, are we a divine creation, or are we simply the product of extra-terrestrial genetic engineering?
2007-03-18 12:13:02 · answer #8 · answered by denisd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been done - at least the mutation part. See Dawkin's book "The Blind Watchmaker" for a few simple examples.
2007-03-18 12:10:02 · answer #9 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. You can't prove what does not exist. Evolution is a theory and a belief.
However, I am opened-minded...where can I find proof from fossils? I can't find anything that points that way.
2007-03-18 12:31:31 · answer #10 · answered by InspireTomorrow.com 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋