Genetic Algorithms and Evolution

I spent all day to day tinkering with the genetic algorithm software I wrote yesterday. I’ve tweaked the mutations so it’s pretty fast. I think what’s interesting about it is that the same software (with a few tweaks) can be thrown at a huge number of different problems.

Anyway, here’s a video where someone uses it to make hypothetical watches, and argue with hypothetical creationists.

One of the things that is interesting about this is the rapidity of the transitions between stages. This kindof reflects on the DIYbio-engineering thing I was on about a couple of days back. When a new more competative species gets into an ecosystem, conditions change very very rapidly.


1 Comment » for Genetic Algorithms and Evolution
  1. Charles says:

    One of the most incredible pieces of software design used to illustrate a point I have seen. I know you used existing ideas but the application is AMAZING. Awesome stuff.

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  1. […] Bill Gross going on about a couple of subjects with which I have a tangential fascination – genetic algorithms and Stirling Engines … and solar energy obviously. Everyone loves solar energy except nuke […]

  2. […] algorithms are simple little programs that simulate evolution by (re)combining groups of actions, keeping the ones that works best, ditching the rest, then […]