Molecular biology: https://youtu.be/_SGoDIkscXg?t=39
Game of Life: https://youtu.be/xP5-iIeKXE8
Sure, one is 2D and discrete, the other is 3D and continuous... oh wait, Lenia is 2D and continuous. That’s interesting.
Game of Life: https://youtu.be/xP5-iIeKXE8
Sure, one is 2D and discrete, the other is 3D and continuous... oh wait, Lenia is 2D and continuous. That’s interesting.
The two core characteristics of life are metabolism and reproduction. Metabolism requires some kind of input, a resource, that is somehow consumed or transformed as the organism grows or is active. Reproduction places an organism in a long line of descent, possibly with mutation and evolution, akin to what we like to call Life.
Sure, living organisms show (symmetrical) organisation - but that is because this morphological organisation enables metabolic functions and reproductions. The morphology does not arise because of some random mathematical rules, but because it fulfills a specific need. It is not an end in itself. This teleological perspective is completely lacking in cellular automata such as Lenia.
(edited for clarity)
2D and discrete -> Conway's Game of Life
2D and continuous -> Lenia
3D and discrete -> Minecraft ?
3D and continuous -> Molecular biology