/sci/ - Science & Math

>>2069741
But it has enough brains to compensate for all of the others. Pic related. Look at the book the robot is holding.

Selfish genes.

>>1847825
What if you're just a machine to copy your genes?

Sup evolutionary biology-fags

Is Dawkins's idea of the selifsh gene and the extended phenotype controversial, or is it pretty much accepted by biologists?

Inb4 geuss.

Debate me singularitarians and Gia theorists, I think you're silly.

>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularitarianism
>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis

The fundamental assumption behind these ideas is that consciousness is an emergent property of complexity. Therefore once a computer system reaches a complexity comparable to the human mind it will become conscious, and likewise a complex ecosystem (the earth) has a consciousness.

The problem is that capacity does not lead to inevitable functionality. A blank computer system has the capacity for an OS, but that does not mean a functioning OS will pop into existence.

The human consciousness did not simply pop into existence it was the product of over a billion years of evolution. There is no reason a computer program could not do the same thing, but there are a few pitfalls:
1) A computer system capable of evolving consciousness would need to be exponentially more advanced than a computer capable of simply running a single consciousness because evolution acts on population not individuals.

2) It could take centuries and there is no guarantee a computer program capable of evolution would produce consciousness because there are numerous other methods to surpass any obstacle: Gorillas became massive, chimps became agile, only humans survived through advanced intellect, and bacteria said fuck all that and stayed simple.

>>1738607
>He isn't aware of The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype and that Dawkins holds an actual Ph.D.

>>1724004
>The God Delusion
Read The Selfish Gene instead

But I was already aware because unlike dumbfucks I read The Selfish Gene and not only The God Delusion.

>>1665412
Ok.

The Selfish Gene.