15.3 Major Thresholds in the Development of Order
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cells. The development of flexible neuronal systems was a threshold in memory
storage in life systems, as information was no longer held on individual molecules
determined by genes, but in a network which could immediately adapt and learn. As
brains developed, the total amount of information stored and available for survival
under varying conditions also took a leap. Training could be passed from generation
to generation from the parent’s life experience. Another threshold in information
utilization came when human stories were recorded outside the brain. Then, libraries
of information could be accessed. 6
In the evolution of the Universe, ordering has been a natural process in
subsystems. The following list shows the epochs and thresholds in such ordering. A
threshold in ordering occurs when nature creates a way to dramatically speed up the
ordering of a subsystem while maintaining or increasing viability.
1. Space-time creation; Universe expands, temperature drops
2. Particle condensation (quarks and leptons) from gravitational energy
3. Formation of light elements (H , H e, 2 H , Li), creating a Universe with a variety
of entities and interactions
4. The Universe becomes neutral and dark
5. Star formation; light returns; stellar production of heavier elements
6. Secondary star formation with planets (from supernovae debris)
7. Formation of macromolecules on terrestrial planets
8. Ability of macromolecules to self-replicate: Life genesis; life evolution
9. Molecular coding of auxiliary structures
10. Development of encapsulated systems
11. Catalytic metabolism
12. Facility for reaction to environmental changes
13. Coding for the coordination of cells
14. Development of molecular anticipatory schemes
15. Life systems with some actions based on internal memory of experiences
16. Coordination and control through neuronal systems
17. Reservation of neuronal memory
18. Development of organs for analysis and learning
19. Use of external tools
20. Ability to form models of environment
21. Development of a conscious network
22. Creation of language to relate and pass on life experience
23. Memory storage outside an organism (external memory)
24. Success of science in generating logical models of observations
25. Ability to cause mass extinction
26. Rational control over primitive drives (such as the ‘we-they’ syndrome)
27. Understanding genetic coding (genotype to phenotype)
28. Management of diseases and environmental stability
6 The amount of information in the Library of Congress is in excess of about 10 18 bits. Some
computer databases have more.
601
cells. The development of flexible neuronal systems was a threshold in memory
storage in life systems, as information was no longer held on individual molecules
determined by genes, but in a network which could immediately adapt and learn. As
brains developed, the total amount of information stored and available for survival
under varying conditions also took a leap. Training could be passed from generation
to generation from the parent’s life experience. Another threshold in information
utilization came when human stories were recorded outside the brain. Then, libraries
of information could be accessed. 6
In the evolution of the Universe, ordering has been a natural process in
subsystems. The following list shows the epochs and thresholds in such ordering. A
threshold in ordering occurs when nature creates a way to dramatically speed up the
ordering of a subsystem while maintaining or increasing viability.
1. Space-time creation; Universe expands, temperature drops
2. Particle condensation (quarks and leptons) from gravitational energy
3. Formation of light elements (H , H e, 2 H , Li), creating a Universe with a variety
of entities and interactions
4. The Universe becomes neutral and dark
5. Star formation; light returns; stellar production of heavier elements
6. Secondary star formation with planets (from supernovae debris)
7. Formation of macromolecules on terrestrial planets
8. Ability of macromolecules to self-replicate: Life genesis; life evolution
9. Molecular coding of auxiliary structures
10. Development of encapsulated systems
11. Catalytic metabolism
12. Facility for reaction to environmental changes
13. Coding for the coordination of cells
14. Development of molecular anticipatory schemes
15. Life systems with some actions based on internal memory of experiences
16. Coordination and control through neuronal systems
17. Reservation of neuronal memory
18. Development of organs for analysis and learning
19. Use of external tools
20. Ability to form models of environment
21. Development of a conscious network
22. Creation of language to relate and pass on life experience
23. Memory storage outside an organism (external memory)
24. Success of science in generating logical models of observations
25. Ability to cause mass extinction
26. Rational control over primitive drives (such as the ‘we-they’ syndrome)
27. Understanding genetic coding (genotype to phenotype)
28. Management of diseases and environmental stability
6 The amount of information in the Library of Congress is in excess of about 10 18 bits. Some
computer databases have more.