Three prevalent themes in the discussion
- Cells as computational systems – Many commenters liken bacterial behavior to neural networks or computers.
- dekhn: “In some ways, a single cell is more like an entire artificial neural network.”
- echelon: “The cell itself is a system of distributed supercomputers, a machine assembly factory, a dizzying highway and information network, and a universe.”
-
fla: “I totally see the CheY as an intermediary layer that learned how the changes in attractant must affect mechanical activation.”
-
Skepticism about over‑interpreting biology with computer‑science metaphors – Several users warn against projecting intelligence or CS analogies onto simple biochemical mechanisms.
- ctrlkctrls: “Cells are amazing… but let's not get carried away with the sci‑fi nonsense. You're projecting computer science on to biology because 'we're all programmers here' … But that's just hyperbolic and inaccurate.”
- PowerElectronix: “I would like to argue that this is not intelligence. A system regulated with a nutrient sensor … is not intelligent. It's a fully automatic mechanism, which is the opposite of what is understood by intelligence.”
-
dekhn (counterpoint): “DNA is not a computer. It's a passive storage mechanism. When you add the appropriate enzymes though it is Turing complete.”
-
Awe and admiration for biological complexity – The site and the underlying biology inspire wonder and appreciation.
- cvanelteren: “Beautiful website.”
- ycombinatrix: “Wow you weren't kidding. It is really well done.”
- dekhn: “It's an amazing design. Did we look at this to create the electric motor?”
- datas: “It's an amazing design.”