[samplatt]

Evolution is a very simple self-optimising algorithm that's been allowed to run for a very long time. The way I see it, algorithms often have room for improvement. Turns out, self-optimisation with no oversight for 400M years produces something with a lot of room for improvement.

[gmtx725]

What even is 'optimal' though. As far as evolution is concerned, we are surviving to pass our genes on to the next generation, so we already are 'optimal'. Going any further than that is just bringing in social and cultural biases about what 'optimal' is.

[TeMPOraL]

Optimal is what we say it is. And we generally don't consider "surviving to pass our genes onto the next generation" as a sensible function to optimize for.

[reallymental]

See, I don't buy this (I'm not arguing with you, just initiating a conversation).

There is no doubt we are incredibly complex, so much so that we've not been able to crack the puzzle that is "us". We invent crude medicines to carpet-bomb some bacteria/virus, which can potentially harm another part of the body, we staple cadaver-parts onto our knees to move well again, we're incredible crude in a bio-hackish way.

We've not even begun to understand what goes on in our heads.

Room for improvement? I'm not sure we are there yet. Room for understanding what is going on? A lot of room there. Its a massive empty hangar to put all our future knowledge into.

Bottom line is ... I don't think we should go about pulling strings without caution because it will not happen without consequence.

[TeMPOraL]

Worth remembering though that the only way we can gain more understanding is by pulling strings and seeing what happens (and comparing the result with what we thought would happen).