The sim doesn't need to know the physics. They just work. (the physics we do have in them is quite complex enough thanks)
thought I'd go ahead and heartily agree with you on something PY :D
this is a big part of what grates on me ...
we don't need to construct structures that 'look like' the physical world.
nor do the bots need to know physics ...
that is taken care of by the environment we provide ... those laws we impose.
we can control the environment ... and I also agree we need a way to have
some specialization in it ... a diversity of specialization, if that makes any sense. ;) ...
but to let the bots then develope the behaviors that allow them to function ...
or not ... ie ... survive ... 'within' the rules of the 'test tube' we place them in.
so I am not advocating anything goes and not having rules ... not at all ...
only that too many rules actually results in the same problem ...
too many choices. it is about achieving the right balance.
and it seems to me ... that if we start simple enough ...
the program itself will show us what is required in the way of balance.
iow ... the sims/environments that work ... we keep ... and take a look at
why they did. same with a sim/environment that doesn't support or reach
some sort of equilibrium in population.
again ... I think there is more than enough complexity in DB already ...
if not too much ... at least until we ensure the basic workings are in place.
THEN ... we can go more complex.
but perhaps I am repeating myself. ;)
ok.
'nuff.