The Evolutionary Algorithm of James Mark Baldwin

On a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, in Chicago

James Mark Baldwin

In Theory of Algorithms, I define algorithms in conceptual, mathematical, and practical terms.  As such, I present them more as "smart organisms" rather than just a set of formulas or list of procedures.  One, I mean that they first grasp the nature of a problem, then work systematically to solve it.  Two, they learn from experience, revise themselves accordingly, then adapt how they solve particular problems.  No such technology or application exists.  So, in essence, what I refer to when I say "smart organism" is our mind.  We ourselves are the smart organisms, though we mostly do not act as such, in my estimation.      

James Mark Baldwin was an American psychologist and philosopher, who also contributed to theories on evolution.  I was quite intrigued by his quote above, as evolution does figure well in my theoretical framework.  I come to realize, then, that the process of heredity isn't just one of adaptation, but also one of intelligence.  In a way, heredity speaks to the essence of how we may learn about, and consequently adopt and apply, algorithms from one another.  That is, we must be smart about it vis-a-vis the purpose or task at hand for the algorithms, then modify them accordingly.  

The Sophisticated Living Cell of Max Delbrück

On a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, in Chicago

Max Delbrück

In Theory of Algorithms, I conceptualize an algorithm as a smart, evolving organism.  Many technical or mathematical models we create are set:  They proceed to determine, evaluate and solve a problem in a pre-determined fashion.  But an algorithm learns from experience, and adapts itself accordingly.  So it becomes better at solving problems, and moreover better at solving more complex, unfamiliar problems.  

When I reflect on Max Delbrück's point (above), then, a living cell must be a phenomenally sophisticated organism, for having a billion years under its microscopic belt to learn, adapt and evolve.  My algorithms can only aspire to be that sophisticated.

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I am at work on an Algorithm for Disease, with which I hope to lend us better insight into the phenomenology, purpose and biology of humankind's scourge.  One of my working arguments is that disease represents a veritable and meaningful battle for life vis-a-vis human beings.  Moreover, while we may not admit, let alone accept this, disease has built up such an evolved level of sophistication as to rival Sun Tzu in "The Art of War."

Delbrück brought to bear his training in astrophysics and theoretical physics on biology, and accordingly research on viruses earned him and his colleagues the Nobel Prize in 1969.  

Tooling the Loop on the 'L'

It was last summer that I was on the Chicago elevated trains (L), after not having ridden them in ages.  Since 2002, much of my consulting was with international clients.  So I hardly ever went to our office in Chicago.  Even when I was in town, I worked at home up in the northern suburbs.  

Then, I lived in Dubai from 2006 - 2011, and was literally out of the (Chicago) Loop.

So I was a bit enthralled at riding the L again.  It was convenient enough to use my iPhone videocam, and edit clips onto this video.

The Quaint and Grand Driehaus Museum

I was walking northbound on State St., en route to coffee with a friend at the Starbucks near Chicago Ave. and Wabash St.  I had just read about the Driehaus Museum, so it was fortuitous that I'd run into it.  It's just west of Michigan Ave., and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Magnificent Mile.  Which, to my eyes, made the Museum both quaint and grand.  

Driehaus Museum

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum immerses visitors in one of the grandest residential buildings of 19th-century Chicago, the Gilded Age home of banker Samuel Mayo Nickerson. Chicago philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus founded the museum on April 1, 2003 with a vision to influence today’s built environment by preserving and promoting architecture and design of the past. To realize his vision, Mr. Driehaus commissioned a five-year restoration effort to preserve the structure and its magnificent interiors. Today the galleries feature surviving furnishings paired with elegant, historically-appropriate pieces from the Driehaus Collection of Fine and Decorative Arts, including important works by such celebrated designers as Herter Brothers and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Today, the Museum is a premier example of historic preservation, offering visitors an opportunity to experience through its architecture, interiors, collection, and exhibitions how the prevailing design philosophies of the period were interpreted by artists, architects, and designers at the waning of the 19th century and the dawn of the 20th century.

Whose Moth, Whose Mothers?

A year ago this month, I was driving from one meeting in Chicago and heading to my next one in Evanston.  I was eastbound on Chicago Ave., and saw a snarl at the intersection with Michigan Ave.  So instead of making a left turn there, I kept heading east.  My plan was to circumvent the traffic snarl.

I knew the Museum of Contemporary Art was nearby, and that was exactly where I needed to turn left.  Immediately I saw this enormous installation in front - MOTHERS, by Martin Creed.  I parked the car right there and then, and slipped out to take a couple of photos.

My car stalled out, unfortunately, so I was going nowhere anytime soon.  After a few failed attempts to jump-start it, I called a towing company.  It was about two hours before I was on the way.  But in the meantime, I came up with a film concept on that installation.

"Forever Marilyn" was not so Forever

For a time it was Forever... 'The Seven Year Itch,' in downtown Chicago.

Alas, "Forever Marilyn" was only temporary, after all.

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"Forever Marilyn" found a mixed reception in Chicago, as some vandals let her know how they felt.

Reference:  Marilyn Monroe Statue Vandalized In Chicago Again (PHOTOS)

Vast Frontiers of Charles Kettering

On a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, in Washington DC

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An American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents.  He was a founder of Delco, and was head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947. Among his most widely used automotive inventions were the electrical starting motor and leaded gasoline.  In association with the DuPont Chemical Company, he was also responsible for the invention of Freon refrigerant for refrigeration and air conditioning systems, as well as for the development of Duco lacquers and enamels, the first practical colored paints for mass-produced automobiles. While working with the Dayton-Wright Company he developed the "Bug" aerial torpedo, considered the world's first aerial missile.  He led the advancement of practical, lightweight two-stroke diesel engines, revolutionizing the locomotive and heavy equipment industries.

Reference:  Charles F. Kettering.

In working on my Theory of Algorithms and The Core Algorithm, I saw this:  We as human beings cannot possibly enumerate all the points on a line, because there's an infinity.  But we can imagine the infinite, and arrive at a useful, simple algorithm for it.  In this case, it's the linear equation.  

So it is with this inspirational quote from Kettering.  In fact, I believe there is an infinity of frontiers, and it's an open mind that can conceive it and extract its algorithms.