[extropy-chat] Self replicating computer programs ?

[Brett Paatsch]

Emlyn wrote:

> > Chris Phoenix wrote:
> > 
> > Thursday, November 13, 2003 11:47 AM
> > Re: [extropy-chat] Social Implications of Nanotech
> > 
> > 
> > > Self-replicating computer programs are trivial
> > 
> > Hmm. Maybe I am overlooking the bleeding obvious
> > but I can't think of a single fully self-replicating 
> > computer program - one that does not require
> > impute from outside itself to kick off the duplication. 
> > 
> > Can anyone?
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Brett
> 
> I don't know why that would be a requirement for anything;
> someone always needs to press the "go" button, if that's 
> what you mean.
> 
> What about the various viruses & worms? Don't these 
> count?

Seems to me that the notion that self-replication programs
are the existence proof for the feasibility of self-replicating
molecular assemblers and for artificial intelligence is suspect
if self-replicating programs don't in fact exist. 

Are viruses and worms good existence proofs of the 
feasibility of either artificial intelligence or self-replicating
nano-assemblers?  I don't think so.  This doesn't mean
that artificial intelligence or assemblers are impossible like
perpetual motion machines. It just makes me question the
utility of viruses and worms and other software as a case
for AI and for nano-assembler feasibility. 

Perhaps we don't need truly fully "self-replicating" at all.

Regards,
Brett