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The mathematics of evolution

psionl0

Skeptical about skeptics
psionl0
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I came across this interesting series of YouTube videos recently. The author describes evolution from a mathematical perspective without bringing up too much maths.

The mathematics that he does introduce (even more complicated concepts) are presented in such a way that even people who are not good with maths can understand them It consists of simple formulas and computer based simulations that bring evolution alive. He starts with the idea of "existence" (things are "born" and things "die").

The YouTubes average about 10 minutes each and are easy to watch. Here is a link to them:
  1. Why do things exist? Setting the stage for evolution.
  2. How life grows exponentially
  3. Mutations and the First Replicators
  4. Simulating Competition and Logistic Growth
  5. Simulating Natural Selection
  6. What's a "selfish gene"?
  7. Simulating the Evolution of Aggression
  8. Simulating Foraging Decisions
  9. Simulating Green Beard Altruism
 
psionl0 said:
I came across this interesting series of YouTube videos recently. The author describes evolution from a mathematical perspective without bringing up too much maths.

The mathematics that he does introduce (even more complicated concepts) are presented in such a way that even people who are not good with maths can understand them It consists of simple formulas and computer based simulations that bring evolution alive. He starts with the idea of "existence" (things are "born" and things "die").

The YouTubes average about 10 minutes each and are easy to watch. Here is a link to them:
  1. Why do things exist? Setting the stage for evolution.
  2. How life grows exponentially
  3. Mutations and the First Replicators
  4. Simulating Competition and Logistic Growth
  5. Simulating Natural Selection
  6. What's a "selfish gene"?
  7. Simulating the Evolution of Aggression
  8. Simulating Foraging Decisions
  9. Simulating Green Beard Altruism
Click to expand...

Gotta love those blobs, eh? His economics vids are also good.

A similar author also has an few excellent videos (not really a series) simulating various aspects of economy. I think my fave was when he created a city of small businesses and customers that functioned perfectly well on it's own, and then introduced a Walmart-wannabe controlled by an AI network with the feedback-function encouraging maximum long-term profit. The AI figured out all on it's own how to set prices just low enough to attract customers and stockpile earnings, then switch to a profit-loss pricing for as long as it could hold out to kill off competitors with smaller war chests, and repeating until it achieved total world domination. Well, I don't think it ever killed off al the competition, but it was pretty devastating to the local business market.



edit: confused two similar, but not identical, video creators.
 
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psionl0 said:
I came across this interesting series of YouTube videos recently. The author describes evolution from a mathematical perspective without bringing up too much maths.

The mathematics that he does introduce (even more complicated concepts) are presented in such a way that even people who are not good with maths can understand them It consists of simple formulas and computer based simulations that bring evolution alive. He starts with the idea of "existence" (things are "born" and things "die").
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that. Those videos are very interesting and very well done.

I really like that he starts with the fundamental question "Why do things exist?" but then does not approach the the answer to that question from a perspective of religion or theoretical physics or philosophy or abiogenesis. It starts off a pathway to explore and understand evolution without any of that baggage.

I also like that some of the things he explains seem quite obviously to me intended to defeat arguments raised by creationists, but he doesn't mention those types of issues at all. That is a good way to teach. Instead of starting with controversy and then arguing against it or trying to disprove it, provide the knowledge and then if such controversies arise the people with that knowledge can apply or be faced with that knowledge.
 
I've been following Primer for a while now. They only have one video every few months or so, but they're always solid and very well explained. Well worth your time, in my opinion.
 
Thanks for posting this. I did evolution a wee while back, as part of a degree. It is certainly mathematical. What is the benefit of defending a first cousin, for instance? Compared to a sibling? It does need maths. Which is why uneducated nutjobs always struggle with it. Creationists take note.
 
JustinSanders213 said:
There are individuals who wish to observe, interpret and evaluate mother nature without using the science of mathematics and must settle for a reduced understanding of Darwin’s evolution theory.
Click to expand...
I understand that not everybody likes maths. I prefer it because it takes the emotion out of the debate. It now becomes a question of what is logical and not what one believes.
 
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