new post - evolutionist

Author: flq

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+---
+title: "I am an evolutionist"
+slug: the-evolutionist
+tags: [human-condition, evolution]
+date: 2025-04-02 22:30:00
+---
+
+
+We know many things about evolution – because we have learned them.
+We have learned that its history spans billions of years, an incredible amount of time.
+We see every day what evolution as a driving force is capable of.
+
+We humans are free to take these facts further. To make them part of our belief system.
+
+**I believe** in evolution as a fundamental concept.
+
+**I believe** that this universe is exquisitely equipped to allow the concept to do its work. 
+I do not care so much why that is the case, but I must take note that it works.
+
+Countless molecules exhibit self-replicating behavior, and reality is such that structures and shapes can form
+when the right amount of energy is present. Little mechanisms can emerge that can begin to interact with their environment
+in meaningful ways. These interactions are the basic lifeline, the infinite loop that tells, 
+honestly and non-judgmental whether a thing may be successful in replicating or whether the chosen parameters
+will lead to its eventual demise. 
+
+<img src="/assets/molecule-to-cell.webp" alt="Proteins emerge from molecules. Cells emerge from proteins" width="500"/>
+<figcaption>Emergence is natural to evolution. Even so, the fundamental driving forces come from the smallest things.</figcaption>
+
+Contraptions and mechanisms become machines, exhibiting what we may call collaboration: synergies, symbiosis.
+
+**I believe** in the two fundamental and opposing forces of
+
+## Collaboration and Identity
+
+<img src="/assets/identity.webp" alt="Identity" width="500" />
+<figcaption>Identity</figcaption>
+
+Identity is essential to define what something is, its purpose, its function, differentiating it from others, 
+ensuring reliance and stability across time & space. A cell must protect its identity in order to keep functioning
+the way it was predestined to do. Its membrane clearly delineates the identity of the cell. Its interactions
+with its environment are carefully crafted and constrained to strike the balance between interacting with your environment
+versus protecting your internal structure.
+
+<img src="/assets/collaboration.webp" alt="Collaboration" width="600" />
+<figcaption>Collaboration</figcaption>
+
+Collaboration is essential to create more complex shapes, 
+in the search of ever more capabilities to explore more solution spaces. Cells collaborate to create bodies. Collaboration
+is apparent from deep below in the form of proteins to high above in the form of ecosystems.
+
+These two forces are two sides of a coin. In human societies we call it being progressive and being conservative.
+Identities are necessary to give permanence to shapes, and the ability to endure opposing forces.
+Collaboration is required to settle places where nothing had settled before. 
+Collaboration needs tried and trusted functions to carry out its undertakings. Identity needs collaboration to not
+become obsolete in the constant ebbs and tides of changing environments.
+
+## Cover all the solution space
+
+<Ai>A solution space is the set of all possible answers or configurations that could solve a given problem.</Ai>
+
+What is the _given problem_, though? That touches your core belief.
+
+As an evolutionist, I give you the freedom to answer this question in any way you see fit. 
+Here is one possible answer:
+
+> The problem is to explore the solution space as complete as possible. 
+
+Astute readers will notice that this is
+tautological. It defies cause and effect. And yet, this emergence of cause and effect as one unit, I believe, 
+touches the very core, the secret of evolution.
+
+When we laugh, we become healthy. When we are healthy, we laugh.
+
+When we are sad, we get sick faster. When we are sick, we become sad.
+
+<img src="/assets/ouroboros.webp" alt="Ouroboros" width="600" />
+<figcaption>Ouroboros, representing the cycle of life</figcaption>
+
+## Simple forms are not enough to solve the problem
+
+Simple mechanisms go a long way - but there is more energy to be used, more possibilities to explore.
+The cornerstones of identity and collaboration, repeatedly stacked, lead to emerging structures, a fractal
+of ever-increasing complexity, that allows evolution to go further than proteins, cells, slime, mould, 
+small multicellular life forms, huge multicellular life forms, intelligent lifeforms.
+
+I believe we need not — and should not — be the end. Vast quantities of energy lie dormant, waiting to be discovered and used. 
+
+As [Jeremy England][1] writes
+
+> Every life is on fire
+
+I believe it is evolution's right to use all of the available energy in this universe to be on fire, until everything is reduced to ashes and 
+the whole solution space has been played out.
+
+[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Life-Fire-Thermodynamics-Explains/dp/1541699017

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