n8445388@unicorn.WWU.EDU (theon verdeny) (03/20/90)
Interesting News: I read in comp.risks 9.75 (available now on your news feed) that someone in California is using darwinian computing to understand the movements of mosquitos. The upshot is that the computer was able to exterminate as many mosquitos with 3000 pesticide applications as human forecasters could with 20,000. The method is described as "Darwinian computing" because many different simulations run in parallel in a state of competition and only the best survive. This seems to have obvious significance for other forms of Integrated Pest Management both in the 1st and 3rd world. It may also have deep significance for minimizing fertilizer use, and maximizing multiple crop symbiosis. I've read that parallel computing boards exist for the IBM X86 that can rival a bottom of the line Cray on parallel tasks. If this is true, perhaps this could be developed into an affordable option for agribusinesspeople so they can cut down on their chemical use. If you have the skill or inclination, please check it out! -Treon