Evolution and the 'Wisdom of Crowds' 804
An anonymous reader writes "An essay by a developer of recommendation systems makes a case for why so many people have trouble grasping Darwin's theory of evolution. Downplaying its conflict with religion, the essay suggests that evolution is in a specific class of "equilibrium seeking" concepts that tend to be extremely counterintuitive to most people. The hypothesis is supported by the observation that so many people reject the notion that evolution-like systems such as Wikipedia, prediction markets, and recommendation systems can actually be effective. Particularly fascinating is the description of his surprisingly simple algorithm for competing in the Netflix prize contest."
typo (Score:2, Funny)
There, fixed it for you.
Re:language evolution (Score:2, Funny)
Evolution vs Wikipedia (Score:2, Funny)
While I support Wikipedia, I don't consider those who doubt its value to be idiots. Those who argue against evolution, on the other hand....
Re:So go and use evolution to program computers! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:typo (Score:5, Funny)
NAMBLA polls kids all the time.
*ducks*
Re:Religion vs Darwin vs Technology vs Society (Score:4, Funny)
2) market said gods
3) prophet
Fixed.
Re:Religion vs Darwin vs Technology vs Society (Score:5, Funny)
Re:"Wisdom Of Crowds" (Score:3, Funny)
Well, it only took 7 years, but you're finally past "denial." Good for you! With 6 more steps, you'll be cured of Bush Derangement Syndrome in about 42 years.
Re:He doesn't address the evolution of ideas (Score:2, Funny)
What a bunch of stinking horseshit. You religious types seriously can't have a discussion without seeing God here, there, everywhere, in your underwear. Get a grip, seriously.
Re:actually... (Score:1, Funny)
Yes! I will smite you all with Mjolnir for your lack of faith. Just as soon as I find where Loki hid it. FOAD!
Love,
Thor
I suggest a new strategy, believe in the god. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Religion vs Darwin vs Technology vs Society (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Religion vs Darwin vs Technology vs Society (Score:2, Funny)
Random Roman Emperor: "Henceforth, everyone accused of Christianity shall be executed, unless they reject Christ and bow down before me."
Random Christian leader (to himself): Oh, I'd really like to live longer, but my greed outweighs my survival instinct. I'd rather die than lose all the wealth being poured down my pocket from all those gullible chumps I've been conning for the past few years.
RCL (to RRE): "I'm a Christian, and I'll never abandon my faith!!!"
Oh those silly Christians. Imagine that, all those martyred Christians in the past, none of them intelligent enough to simply reject their current money-making scheme and just invent another one when the coast is clear. So idiotic. Almost like they were conjured up by some atheist as a straw man argument...