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[Crotalus]

uphill previously said:

It is sometimes difficult for us, especially we who are not specifically trained in a field of research or in the rules of logic, to be objective about the literature in an area outside our specialty. The power of the written word, the forceful current of a persuasive argument, and the care with which confirming evidence is presented and refuting evidence suppressed or camouflaged, all make it difficult to see the flaws in some of the popular works on quantum physics, biology--or any other science.

We can rely on intuition but all too often, intuition fails to deliver accurate results.

When I consider exobiology (study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe), I'm drawn back to Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Darwin's idea is very very simple; it goes like this.

1-Organisms pass their characteristics on to their descendants, which are mostly but not completely identical to their parent organisms.
2-Organisms breed more descendants than can possibly survive.
3-Descendants with beneficial variations have a better chance of surviving and reproducing, however slight, than those with non-beneficial variations.
4-These slightly modified descendants are themselves organisms, so repeat from step 1. (There is no stopping condition.)

That's it. That's all there is to Natural Selection: a simple four step loop; a mindless algorithm that displays no intent, no design, no purpose, no goal, no deeper meaning.

And if it holds true here, it will hold true elsewhere.

Exactly - Natural Selection - an elegant mechanism for the evolution of life that make such sense. This is another example of a wonderful scientific discovery made without the use of the Scientific Method. Darwin put it all together using reasoning and observations on his voyage and through his life experiences.

And the process of Natural Selection itself is indeed quite mindless - just as is the engine in my FJ - intake, compression, fire, and exhaust... Still, I'm reminded that the engine in my FJ was created by humans to serve a purpose. Currently, it propels my FJ most often to carry me to and from work and afield for adventure. It gives me pleasure.

Fools Quest

To know the mind of God, that's all I ask.
I'll spend my whole life trying, when it's such a simple task.
Men with their bibles and electron microscopes - many far greater than I have tried,
never knowing the secrets of the Universe 'til the day they died.
Why do I persevere on this fools quest,
learning only one our two secrets in this life at best?