Rain  wrote:

> In message , John Wilkins
>  writes
> >Rain  wrote:
> >
> >> In message , Joe Laffey
> >>  writes
> >> >I have a new interest in Evolution theories and genetics. It was
> >> >spawned by learning that modern computers are fast enough
to carry out
> >> >(at least crude) evolutionary simulations for problem solving. I am
> >> >looking for reading material that is geared more toward the
> >> >non-biologist, but not towards the total idiot!
> 
> >> "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" by Stephen
Jay Gould is a must.
> >> Part II of this book gives you what you want. Read part I at a later
> >> date.
> >
> >As interesting as this is, I rather doubt it will help with evolutionary
> >algorithms.
> 
> Only interesting? Each cell in a multi-celled organism has been designed
> to "seek" replication. Change is a risk. Stasis of the
species has been
> selected for.

Of course. And I have only read about half of it in close detail. But I
am familiar with Gould's earlier work, and he tends not to provide much
in the way of algorithmic models one might use to set up an evolutionary
simulation. For that you need to look at the Fisherian tradition in
Britain, including Maynard Smith's application of game theory, William
Hamilton's kin selection, and so forth. Obviously one can model stasis
and stochastic effects, and there are refs, but Joe said specifically he
was new, so I thought Michod would be a good single source. I can refer
to others as well.
> 
> >Try Michod's Darwinian Dynamics. It is strongly selectionist, so you
> >might need to look at some works on the effects of drift in small
> >populations, but it is very specific and detailed.
> >
> >Michod, Richard E. 1999. Darwinian dynamics: evolutionary transitions in
> >fitness and individuality. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.


-- 
John Wilkins
B'dies, Brutius
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