*** Evolution *** MODEL ----- The simulation is based on classical model of Game of Life (J.H.Conway). World is simulated by grid, empty field means there is nothing, occupied fields means there is a cell. Game of Life has simple rules: 1. cell dies when it has less than 2 neighbours (loneliness) 2. cell dies when it has more than 3 neighbours (overpopulation) 3. cell survives if it has 2-3 neighbours 4. new cell is created on empty field if it has exactly 3 neighbours (ideal conditions) MODIFICATION EVOLUTION ---------------------- Classic use is to design some structure and then observe how it develops. Since I'm lazy I decided to try for the life to develop on it's own. For this I slightly modified the rules: 1. Game begins in completely empty field 2. Each turn there is fixed number of mutations - on random fields new cell is created (it usually dies out from loneliness) Optimally the experiment would run on infinite playground. As this is not possible I decided to connect left/right and top/down border (torus topology). The idea of this experiment is that in time some cells will be created near to each other giving chance for new life to begin and evolve. But the mutations will also affect existing life destroying or modifying existing structures allowing evolution. CONTROLS -------- Simulation runs on 400x300 field. It asks for following parameters: 1. Number of mutations (per turn) - bigger number means bigger chance of life but also bigger instability - I recommend values >70, interesting values are around 100 - values <50 will usually take very long time for life to appear - pessimists will enter "3" and let it run during night (should you get something please send me the results and go play Loto or Poker) 2. Random Seed - seed for generating pseudo-random numbers - you can leave it empty and it will be set from time - if you want to reproduce previous experiment you can use the same seed as was used then SPACE - pause / run simulation ESC - quit simulation INFO ---- - red cells are created from mutation - green cells are created by reproduction (these are considered "alive") Simulation runs quickly until life is created. When there is life the simulation slows down so that you can observe it. On upper left corner you can check following information: SIZE - size of play-field TURN - simulation turn CELLS - number of alive cells 1STLIFE - turn when first alive cell was created MUTAT - number of mutations per turn SEED - random seed, write it down if you want to reproduce the experiment FEW INTERESTING SIMULATIONS --------------------------- Mutat=200, Seed=1291839727 Despite big Mutat the life has problems to take root. It is repeatedly created and destroyed until it manages around turn 4700. Mutat=50, Seed=1291840117 Despite small Mutat small island of stable life is created soon and life starts to bloom around turn 2800. Mutat=100, Seed=1291845650 The life has problems to emerge. When it looks like it will take hold around turn 6500-6800 the complex structure is gradually destroyed. The life emerges later on different place.