Year of Darwin-Sean B. Carroll

Date: September 11, 2008
Location: Strosacker Auditorium

Professor Carroll (University of Wisconsin) is a highly regarded investigator who studies animal development in an evolutionary context. He is supported by the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute for his experimental work, and he has written a number of popular books on biological development and evolution. Hosted by College Scholars and SAGES.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Darwin
• Carroll
• MediaVision
• evolution
• Case

[GPLeague]

Got to see Dr. Carroll give a presentation on his latest book at my college last semester. Reading his book on this topic as we speak. Sweet!

[Golkarian]

@Mr88playmaker, also in your sense of information, DNA is not information since it is not a communication between two intelligent sources, it simply produces proteins that usually improve fitness, and conveys no extra information, there is no instruction manual meant for humans in DNA. Also we know how selection works but not intelligence, it is quite possible that our brains work by selection, in which case evolution is intelligence, but that hasn't been verified.

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian asserts the scientific position of evolutionists, stating (QUOTE) "Only we assign meaning to DNA, but that meaning is not intrinsic." (END QUOTE)

Not true, The only thing "we" can "assign" to the genetic code is names/labels for its components as we discover them, but NOT meaning. The meaning is intrinsic. The meaning is assigned to the code. It works like software. It's why atheists are lashing out at "religion." Matter does NOT assign meaning to symbols -- only a MIND can.

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian said (QUOTE) "Only we assign meaning to DNA, but that meaning is not intrinsic." (END QUOTE)

The genetic code is Symbolic Information

Information is the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence between an encoder and decoder utilizing agreed upon symbols. (this operates in your body whether you "observe" it yourself). Genetic code functions like computer software, INDEPENDENT of your ever needing to know about it. Humans did NOT assign MEANING to the CODE.

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian said (QUOTE) "wrong, DNA is a sequence of molecules that gets translated into proteins (through RNA) and copied." (END QUOTE)

Re-read my post. The DNA molecule contains symbolic INFORMATION. The information is NOT as you say some "sequenced molecules." Listen to yourself & examine what you are saying. Suppose the that "sequenced molecules" indeed constitutes and function as genetic code for the creation and governance of biological life forms: Said CODE is still information.

[Golkarian]

@Mr88playmaker 1) "Genetic code is symbolic information": wrong, DNA is a sequence of molecules that gets translated into proteins (through RNA) and copied.

2)If true, it's irrelevant to DNA, and would require ribosomes and polymerases to be intelligent

3)Ok, again, DNA has no meaning, it just creates something with a function, if it had a meaning, we would need polymerases and ribosomes with MINDs.

Only we assign meaning to DNA, but that meaning is not intrinsic.

[Golkarian]

@Mr88playmaker did you read what I said? Gene duplication, then DIFFERENTIATION! You copy existing information so you have a new template, once you change the function you have new information. For example, say a system contains one protein. After duplication it can have two proteins, it doesn't do anything new. But once differentiation occurs, through (for example) a point mutation than the system can perform a new, possibly more complex, function.

[Golkarian]

@Mr88playmaker both codes are known to increase in information by natural selection. Restating your conclusion will not make it true, you have to support it, and respond to objections. As it stands every science contradicts you (physics and chemistry allow energy, not "mind-stuff", to increase information, biology and information theory use selection). When we look at the mind we see the same principles, thinking requires energy (the nervous system uses about a third of the energy in humans).

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian (QUOTE) "it is quite possible that our brains work by selection, in which case evolution is intelligence, but that hasn't been verified." (END QUOTE)

FACT: Intelligence only arises out of a mind,

FACT: Information only arises out of a mind,

FACT: The only language known to man is:

(1) that of human mind origin (this includes codes etc.)

(2) DNA code (genetic code).

BTW: Animals utilize low-level communication skills, not language. Their Intelligence / Info arises from their MIND

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian said (QUOTE) "DNA is not information since it is not a communication between two intelligent sources" (END QUOTE)

Pay closer attention, focus, and it will come to you.

1. Genetic code is symbolic information.

2. Information is the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence between an encoder and a decoder utilizing agreed upon symbols.

3. Matter does NOT assign meaning to symbols. Only a MIND does.

[Mr88playmaker]

@Golkarian (QUOTE) "I'm sure you've heard of gene duplication..." (END QUOTE)

Think deep. Duplications are copies of EXISTING information, NOT new information.

Information only arises from a mind.