(disclaimer: paywalled so I read 2 paragraphs)
Is this just like running the game of life [1] on a giant random board and seeing some generators emerge? Or something actually significant?
Is this just like running the game of life [1] on a giant random board and seeing some generators emerge? Or something actually significant?
"This research is far from the first attempt at mimicking life digitally: for example, simulations such as the Game of Life, which has a grid of cells that are either “alive” or “dead” and are governed by simple rules, have shown self-replicating behaviour. Laurie says what makes this work unique is that the system had no formal rules, goals or processes to encourage or kick-start artificial life – it simply arrived. “It all fizzes around and then suddenly: boom, they’re all the same,” he says."
Still not sure if that means it's significant or not. Cool none the less though.
"This research is far from the first attempt at mimicking life digitally: for example, simulations such as the Game of Life, which has a grid of cells that are either “alive” or “dead” and are governed by simple rules, have shown self-replicating behaviour. Laurie says what makes this work unique is that the system had no formal rules, goals or processes to encourage or kick-start artificial life – it simply arrived. “It all fizzes around and then suddenly: boom, they’re all the same,” he says."
Another user posted a link to the full (non paywalled) article, it's worth a read. It also presents a few critic views.