OK. Evolution is not"random". Evolution happens through natural selection which is about the least random process you can imagine. The mechanism for organisms to change is in fact random mutation, but by far the majority of mutations are either neutral or non-adaptive and die out. So those few random mutations that are adaptive survive and propagate. This may, to people like Mims, make them seem magical, but to most biologists they're just common sense.
I agree with your general inputs and conclusions. However, I think that Mims is correct, in a sense.
"The evolution of these complex molecules, which had to exist in the earliest cells, is so improbable..." --Mims
Yes, it is improbable, on a small-scale, and that seems to be where Mims' analysis has stopped.
"If enough random things happen and the beneficial things survive, then not only is the evolution not improbable, it's almost inevitable given enough time." --parent
Evolution may have failed to produce advanced life forms, or any life at all, on a million worlds. Only the successful random mutations exist to contemplate it.
Who says it hasn't failed to produce advanced life forms here? There may be a life form out there so advanced that you look like a slime mold in comparison.
Total misrepresentation of Evolution (Score:5, Insightful)
OK. Evolution is not"random". Evolution happens through natural selection which is about the least random process you can imagine. The mechanism for organisms to change is in fact random mutation, but by far the majority of mutations are either neutral or non-adaptive and die out. So those few random mutations that are adaptive survive and propagate. This may, to people like Mims, make them seem magical, but to most biologists they're just common sense.
Mims writes: "The evolution of these complex mol
Re: (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes, it is improbable, on a small-scale, and that seems to be where Mims' analysis has stopped.
Yes indeed.
I found Mims' statement
Product of success (Score:2)
Evolution may have failed to produce advanced life forms, or any life at all, on a million worlds. Only the successful random mutations exist to contemplate it.
Re:Product of success (Score:2)