Alternative to Natural Selection

[JansenDowel]

Can anyone think of any other process that might bring about diversity of life? Not on earth; but on other planets?

 

[Yellow]

I think it is possible that life on other planets may be more subject to issues of genetic drift, depending on the environment. But we have no reason to believe that natural selection, as a mechanism of evolution, isn't universal. Just like we have no reason to believe that gravity isn't universal. It is the degree of its influence that would fluctuate with different situations.

But I have wondered whether there exists another mechanism driving evolution, along with natural selection and genetic drift, that is not expressed strongly/often enough in the environments we've studied for us to readily recognize. Perhaps in another environment, it would be a bigger player. Though, honestly, I can't imagine what it might be. Natural selection accounts for a multitude of environmental pressures in all population sizes and genetic drift accounts for the random reshuffling of genes that most influence smaller/isolated populations.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Can anyone think of any other process that might bring about diversity of life? Not on earth; but on other planets?

Artificial selection, like what humans have done with dogs. It's certainly within the scope of "what's possible" that some intelligent species somewhere has specifically seeded and then monitored the progress of life elsewhere.

Given that possibility, it's also possible that some species created something akin to what we'd call "artificial intelligence" that itself was able to monitor and govern the progress of life elsewhere.

 

[Yellow]

Artificial selection, like what humans have done with dogs. It's certainly within the scope of "what's possible" that some intelligent species somewhere has specifically seeded and then monitored the progress of life elsewhere.

Given that possibility, it's also possible that some species created something akin to what we'd call "artificial intelligence" that itself was able to monitor and govern the progress of life elsewhere.

Ooh! I hadn't even thought of that! (My excuse is that it is Monday morning)

It is a fun possibility, but it brings us back to the question of how did the seeders arise? and can artificial selection really be considered an alternative to natural selection, or is it simply an imitation of it? On the one hand, you can practice artificial selection without direct knowledge of natural selection, but without the examples of natural selection, could one be inspired to consider artificial selection?

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Spontaneous creation of a complex being able to reshape reality among myriads of other random results.

In other words, random creation of a less random creator, big bang theory uses the universe as a non-random creator example.

Who said the universe cannot be a self similar fractal design.

 

[computerhxr]

Something like this?

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/dna-meteorites.html

 

[computerhxr]

Who said the universe cannot be a self similar fractal design.

The majority of humans.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

The majority of humans.

The majority of humans would condemn your double posting.

 

[computerhxr]

The majority of humans would condemn your double posting.

Do you consider yourself of the majority?

1 apple + 1 orange = double!

I'm sorry that I double posted against the will of the forum overlords.

Context? You're all fruits.

Yes, I'm a cornucopia of all fruits.

I edited that out rather than double posting. And I'm replying here to avoid using up an extra post.

 

[Jennywocky]

Context? You're all fruits.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Do you consider yourself of the majority?

1 apple + 1 orange = double!

I'm sorry that I double posted against the will of the forum overlords.

I used majority to show how insignificant was either of the statements, I wasn't at all concerned with your actions.

My proposition of the fractal universe was also another example of the vast multitude of not likely to be proven theories on abiogenesis.

There is a common shift from the black box of what comes before the theory and a translucent box of the main body of the theory.

 

[computerhxr]

I used majority to show how insignificant was either of the statements, I wasn't at all concerned with your actions.

My proposition of the fractal universe was also another example of the vast multitude of not likely to be proven theories on abiogenesis.

There is a common shift from the black box of what comes before the theory and a translucent box of the main body of the theory.

I never disagreed with you. I was acting out to help prove your point by being a "fruit" as Jennywocky put it. I thought we were playing off of each-other. This is a sign of how bad it is here...

I disagree and I think that it is important. Forums have a bandwagon that reject outside thought from entering their system. They can continue living in their little box and force everyone else in it with them. I would rather poke tiny little holes in the box to force pseudo-realists to sink or swim in the ocean of reality.

I think and evidence supports my belief, therefore I know. Everyone else must be stupid for having a difference of opinion without proof. Or they should be burned at the stake though public chastising.

 

[Architect]

Cellular Automata. Systems with even very simple rules repeated over and over can give rise to surprisingly complex results.

 

[Yellow]

Cellular Automata. Systems with even very simple rules repeated over and over can give rise to surprisingly complex results.

That's a fun idea! I hadn't heard of this before.

I can see how it is used by some organisms/cells, but it seems to be the result of gene expression (and not the other way around). Maybe it's because this is my first day mulling the concept, but do you have an idea as to how cellular automata could encourage biological diversity in the absence or reduced presence of natural selection?

 

[mooncrater]

edit: Okay, a coordinated experimental project between a group of competing planets to colonize an as-yet uncolonized planet somewhere. It ends in a stalemate, and diversity grows like moldy fuzz on a loaf of bread.

 

[thoughtfully]

Can anyone think of any other process that might bring about diversity of life? Not on earth; but on other planets?

Anything unresricted.

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3BIPOls2Y