zlacker

>>qqqqqu+(OP)
Evolution.

How does large scale randomness result in such complicated and intelligent systems, while after decades of research and all the computing power we have today, we still struggle to model and reproduce the intelligence of an insect.

>>yamrzo+aU
Agreed. I find it difficult to even ask for a deeper understanding of evolution without first explaining yes, I know basically how DNA works; yes, I understand natural selection; no, I'm not a young-earth creationist. I have a solid grasp of basic biology and genetics and I'd just like to comprehend how randomness can lead to such incredible complexity of organisms within billion-year timescales (and not, say, million-trillion-trillion year timescales).

I feel as though it's simply Occam's Razor to assume that evolutionary complexity is the result of randomness because I know of no better explanation. Is there a self-reinforcing process at play? (Natural selection partially counts as reinforcing, I just feel like randomness is still the engine that powers it).