Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 15

            Adam shrugged. "Does it? Does it really?"

            "What else can it mean?"

            "You said it yourself. Lower life forms have less of this 'algorithm'."

            "Sure, because they have a less complicated system to run." She paused mid-sentence.  Something wasn't quite jelling. Her hands rose to her head and massaged her temples, trying to force the buried inconsistency to her forebrain.  Suddenly her hands dropped, and she looked up at Adam. He nodded with each word she said. "Physical complexity might not be the sole reason for a larger algorithm in higher life forms."

            Adam continued, "Because the differences between these life forms are minor. They all share a basic and symmetrical structure—one head, two arms, two legs—essentially built from a similar set of blue prints.  Higher life forms share the same parts. Minor modifications lead to different species."

"And that would mean that the significantly more complicated non-coding DNA is necessary for something else, something else more developed in higher organisms."

            Adam opened up his arms and coaxed her on. "And that would be?"

            "The brain! The more extensive development of the brain demands a larger and more complex algorithm."

            "Don't stop there."

            "Christ. The structures of brains are also very similar, which means the algorithm is not just responsible for the structural details … "

            "… but also for its function," finished Adam, who added, "Which means that … "

            Now Linda jumped in. "… that the complexity of the thinking process is somehow mapped out in the non-coding DNA, which makes sense! Just think about the concept of instinct. For generations we've accepted that given a specific stimulus, animals can and do act in a pre-programmed manner.  Sure, there's some learning involved, but there's so much evidence for automatic behavior, especially in simpler species where the range of behavior is limited and easily observed. Our current view is that higher organisms learn more and rely on instinct less."

            "And what about Man?  Is he free of this pre-programmed instinct?"

            Linda shook her head. "Not at all. We relegate that instinct to the 'lizard brain' deep within our psyche. An animal instinct for survival. We pride ourselves with self-consciousness, a self-awareness distinct from other animals. And we have come to rely more on learning for survival than on instinct."

            After a moment Adam said, "Yet, our DNA has the highest percentage devoted to the non-coding portion. I wonder if you can tell when it's instinct or experience that drives us? What if everything we do is preprogrammed, just like in all those lower species that rely on instinct alone? In fact, if you think about it, we may be the most programmed life form on the planet."