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Digital Life and Evolution

mrivorey writes "Discover Magazine has a story about The Digital Evolution Lab at Michigan State University. Scientists there have created virus-like computer programs that replicate, mutate randomly, and compete with each other... in other words, they evolve. Among such feats as learning to add and compare numbers, these digital life forms also once avoided scientists attempts at "killing" them, by playing dead. You can download the project yourself from SourceForge." We first mentioned this in early 2003, but it appears to have developed a good deal since then.

7 of 541 comments (clear)

  1. DANGER! by turnstyle · · Score: 5, Funny
    "virus-like computer programs that replicate, mutate randomly ... these digital life forms also once avoided scientists attempts at "killing" them" AND "You can download the project yourself"

    Sounds like something my sister would download... ;O

    --
    Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda
  2. I, for one, Welc... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh God. That was close...

  3. Just playing by Garg · · Score: 5, Funny

    these digital life forms also once avoided scientists attempts at "killing" them, by playing dead.

    Cool! A new excuse... next time someone calls me at 3AM and says one of my programs has died, I'll just tell them it's playing dead and call me in the morning.

    Garg

    --
    Garg
    Alumnus, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
  4. In other news.... by tktk · · Score: 5, Funny
    PETA announces a spin-off group, PETDA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Digital Animals.

    PETDA protesters are currently rushing to surround the offices of Michigan State University and Nintendo.

  5. Re:QUESTION #4: WHY SEX? by cyriustek · · Score: 5, Funny

    If You have to ask why sex, then you my friend have truly entered into geekdom.

    I salute you!

  6. Re:QUESTION #4: WHY SEX? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    The offspring of two sexual creatures is a blend of their genetic material, creating a more diverse species able to endure changing conditions better since there are variations which can adapt.

    Once you see your kids starting to demonstrate the worst traits of both your mother and your mother-in-law, you'll begin to question whether that's really an advantage.

  7. Re:QUESTION #4: WHY SEX? by flyingsquid · · Score: 5, Funny
    If You have to ask why sex, then you my friend have truly entered into geekdom.

    If you ask "why have sex" then you are merely at the beginning of the path to Geekdom. When you ask "what is sex?", then will you have attained True Geekdom.