James Brody
September 5th, 2008, 11:26 AM
Networks evolve according to what is possible. Selection occurs. So does fitness for handling particular kinds of challenges. (Implication: a lot of anthropology has been an extensive, expensive bit of narcissism!) See Olivia Judson's essay for the ways that evolution now follows paths from sciences unknown a few decades ago. http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/lets-get-rid-of-darwinism/index.html?scp=1&sq=olivia%20judson%20darwinism&st=cse
JimB
"New Evidence On The Robustness Of Metabolic Networks
ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2008) — Biological systems are constantly evolving in ways that increase their fitness for survival amidst environmental fluctuations and internal errors. Now, in a study of cell metabolism, a Northwestern University research team has found new evidence that evolution has produced cell metabolisms that are especially well suited to handle potentially harmful changes like gene deletions and mutations.
More at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215621.htm
Also http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2008/09/02/0803571105.abstract?sid=69a27b96-9adc-4f62-a9f6-75feb286122d
JimB
"New Evidence On The Robustness Of Metabolic Networks
ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2008) — Biological systems are constantly evolving in ways that increase their fitness for survival amidst environmental fluctuations and internal errors. Now, in a study of cell metabolism, a Northwestern University research team has found new evidence that evolution has produced cell metabolisms that are especially well suited to handle potentially harmful changes like gene deletions and mutations.
More at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215621.htm
Also http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2008/09/02/0803571105.abstract?sid=69a27b96-9adc-4f62-a9f6-75feb286122d