23 November 2009

Human's ability to see pattern

[source]
What do you see in the picture on the left? Do you see "gliders" moving from middle of top to right lower corner?

In fact, the algorithm is just the following:
Each of the cell has two state, either live (in dark above) or dead (white)
1. Any live cell with fewer than two live neighbours dies, as if caused by underpopulation.
2. Any live cell with more than three live neighbours dies, as if by overcrowding.
3. Any live cell with two or three live neighbours lives on to the next generation.
4. Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbours becomes a live cell.

In other words, each cell is only controlled by its neighbour. However, as human, we see pattern and do not see the underlying principle directly.

We, human, are similar in certain extend. We are continuously exchanging the atoms in our body with those from air and food. It has been told that the human body regenerate every 7 years. [source] While the source of this claim is doubtful, the source points out a more recent research which supports the claim.

The material make-up of our body (those atoms) are constantly changing, quite like the state of the cells in the above diagram, right?

Another interesting fact is there is about 1.2 kg of bacteria co-existing in our body. One of the main function these bacteria do for us is breakdown of food. [source]

Who are we? Are we really divine?

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