While the Luddites are denying what is readily observable to anyone with an honest interest in understanding the subject, LOTS of scientists and engineers have recognized the power of selection pressure acting on genetic mutations.
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/thenewexplorers/0e13af26862ba010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd/2.html
I've just crawled out of my cobweb, FF. What do you mean by 'selection pressure'?
Selection pressure:
http://www.answers.com/topic/selection-pressure http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_pressure In my mind's eye, I view it as the gradient of a "fitness landscape," or energy function.
It doesn't matter, FF. I recall a briliant thinker who recently exposed the fact that mutations can't add up!
Where's your old Earth NOW???
[That last part should be read in Edward G. Robinson's voice, btw.]
InFallibleFiend:
I am somewhat confused - are you a proponent of natural selection, or intelligent design?
Evolutionary thinkers assume a random process to natural selection, and intelligent design asserts evolution is pre-determined. The article you posted (nice article, btw) appears to assert pre-determination - which you appear to reinforce in referencing "selection pressure" as a guiding influence in evolutionary matters.
The article reinforces predetermination in that natural selection follows a process - lets, for the sake of it, name it "Random." A process nevertheless determineded by an algorithymn. Under this rationale, the genetic algorithymn at the heart of the posted article becomes an idealised notion of evolution. Much like Game Theory is an idealised notion of human behaviour. Nevertheless, there is a question to be asked - as to who or what scribed the algorithymn that established natural selection on Earth?
I am an evolutionist. Selection pressure is a standard evolutionary concept. I didn't see anything in the article that remotely indicated predetermination.
Random does not and has never meant "anything goes."
Science doesn't say - and can't say - anything about god creating the process.
In the past I have spoken to some agricultural geneticists who tell me that the egg cell may be capable of choosing the best sperm cell for the conditions the mother is living in. Hormones in the mother's body probably aid the process. I'll see if I can find a site sometime.
This would certainly mean the whole evolutionary process is far from random. It would even give the illusion of intelligent design.