Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02984
To: "beam list" beam@corp.sgi.com
From: "Burken" burken@hotbot.com
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 09:10:43 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] Evolution
>> Now, the fundamenental aspect of a creatures evolution is only partially
>> its behaviour. Real world animals developed their anatomical differences
as
>> a result of the environment they where in.
>In terms of long term evolution this is true, but short term (faster)
>evolution
>seems to favor modifying behaviors. Some (of the most important?)
>anatomical advances are dedicated to providing behavioral adaptability
>(like brains).
>short tearm behavioral changes didn't trigger the >development of a brain
>the anatomical mutations dictated physical >development on the basis of the
>fittest for the enviroment, those physical mutations
>dictate behavior not visa versa
Ah, but is not entirely true. A famous example that comes to mind is one of the Galapagos finks that use tools (twigs, branches etc.) to fill the ecological niche of a woodpecker without having the physical means to do so. This increases it's survival ability greatly, without any physical modification.
>ie entity A has a slightly bigger brain and more >synaptic links so can
>remember more of what is benificial and whats not, >entity A survives longer
>has more prodgeny etc. etc
>entity A's actual behavior is the result of that >knowlage base ( the
>physical changes give the advantage).
>Individuals change behavior on the basis of their >physical circumstances ,
This is not completely accurate either. There is an example of, again, birds on the isolated Coco island.
These birds are members of the same species, but because they have no competition they have been able to radiate and fill all niches on the small island. Some birds prefer eating seeds, other insects, but they look exacly the same and breed without discrimination.
>it would not reflect the population if you only >tested amputees, who
>ignoring the socialogcal behavirs adapt their >behavior to suit their
>physical condition .
>Selective breeding can pick up on some core behaviors >(agressiveness, etc)
>but those exist as a result of the initial physical >evolution of the
>entity.
>Rob D
>Aka "Powerbuilder"
Regards,
Richard Stockstad
---
There are no absolute thruths....
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