One of the things that I've been doing recently in my scientific research is to ask this question: Is the universe actually capable of performing things like digital computations?

Science consists exactly of those forms of knowledge that can be verified and duplicated by anybody.

By separating the function of adaptation from the function of maintaining the integrity of individual genes, sex allows much greater diversity while still keeping genes whole. Sex is not only fun, it is good engineering practice.

Some folks think life and technology and mind can keep expanding forever. Others say it can't. We are still not clear on that.

Thinking of the universe as a computer is controversial.

Computers are famous for being able to do complicated things starting from simple programs.

If you take a more Darwinian point of view the dynamics of the universe are such that as the universe evolved in time, complex systems arose out of the natural dynamics of the universe.