[From: Bruce Nevin (Thu 92086 08:27:26)]
(Avery Andrews (9208060) ) --
For the record, my (Wed 92085 12:21:44) post was not intended as
sneering, but rather as an apology and an invitation--an apology for
seeming to sneer (or whatever it was that ticked Eric off), and an
invitation to Eric to help clarify the relationship between the
varieties of ALife and PCT.
(Eric Harnden (920805) ) --
GAs depend upon Neo-Darwinian negative feedback. That does not
necessarily mean that "organisms" evolved through GAs employ negative
feedback in their functioning. But of course this does not rule out the
possibility of observing the phenomenon of control in these products of
ALife research. Perhaps someone should be on the lookout for it, Eric?
If Products of GAs (or any other products of ALife research) exhibit
control, it would then be of value to see by what mechanisms they effect
control, and whether or not such mechanisms are consistent with PCT.
If these mechanisms are consistent with PCT, then you have a ready-made
theory to explain something fundamental (something about achieving
consistent ends by variable means in the face of disturbance) which I am
reasonably certain no one else in the ALife world has noticed (but I
would welcome your proving me wrong). Being in such a position could be
a lot of fun for you.
If these mechanisms (which you might find if you look) are not
consistent with PCT, then we would greatly appreciate knowing about it.
So we have good reasons for wanting to learn more, and for asking for
your help in this.
Bruce
bn@bbn.com