I know, I know, it sounds a little crazy and it’s probably not the most theologically sound statement.
But, it’s true.
Not directly, of course, but God created an amazing world that’s pulsating with brilliance. Our world is full of math and science that is the basis, the premises, the foundation of technology that we love to talk about and use.
I just read an interesting article about slime mold (where’s the punch line, right?) and how it can and is applied to technology, itself.
Slime Mold
Slime molds come from amoebas that live in the soil.
Some species gather by the thousands to form multicellular bodies that can crawl. Others develop into gigantic, pulsating networks of protoplasm.
Scientist are just now beginning to really understand these. In fact, some experiments show complex choreography of signals in some species that allow 20,000 individuals to form a single sluglike body.
So, it’s like Voltron.
A bunch of individual pieces form together into something more awesome than themselves. Kind of like the Body of Christ.
The pulsating networks that some slime molds form are giving other scientists clues to solving difficult mathematical problems. In 2000, Japanese researchers placed Physarum polycephalum — the name means “many-headed slime mold” — in a maze, along with two blocks of food. It extended its tendrils down the corridors of the maze, bending around curves, reaching dead ends and then backing out of them. After four hours, the slime mold was feasting on both blocks of food.
Some scientists have looked to these amazing organic masses for IT inspiration:
Andrew Adamatzky, a researcher at the University of West England, has been watching slime molds since 2006, finding inspirations in their growth for designing computer software.
This same scientist has even made electronic music using molds.
“Even the rocks cry out,” but apparently slim molds have a part in the show, too.
Scientists have even played around with this slim mold as it relates to highway systems:
In 2010 he [Andrew Adamatzky] and his colleagues placed a slime mold in the middle of a map of Spain and Portugal, with pieces of food on the largest cities. The slime mold grew a network of tentacles that was nearly identical to the actual highway system on the Iberian Peninsula.
“If some countries started to build highways from scratch, I would recommend to them to follow the slime mold routes,” Dr. Adamatzky said.
This isn’t random.
This isn’t a Magic 8-Ball.
This is God’s creation.
Every fiber of God’s creation cries out with His Glory and sings of His handy work.
So, yeah.
God created computers (and really smart slime mold).
[via NY Times | HT: Sally Loyd-Jones’ Blog]
Jason from Christech.org says
Yes, it is interesting to see how our own creativity, which is God-given, can bring honour and glory to God. Even Steve Jobs’ creativity (despite being a non-believer) honoured God and reflects on God’s purpose for humans to create. From computers to iPhones to even newly developed Christian mobile apps, all attest to God’s creativity. Some attest more directly than others, but are a testimony to His genius just the same. Simply organizing examples like that helps us appreciate it even more. If you’re interested, I’ve put together a list of Top 10 iPhone apps for Christians on my website. http://www.christech.org
Eric Dye says
🙂
Eleanor says
I’m totally with you on this one.
Eric Dye says
Awesome. 😀