[HN Gopher] Algovivo an energy-based formulation for soft-bodied...
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       Algovivo an energy-based formulation for soft-bodied virtual
       creatures
        
       Author : tzury
       Score  : 52 points
       Date   : 2025-06-09 15:54 UTC (7 hours ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (juniorrojas.com)
 (TXT) w3m dump (juniorrojas.com)
        
       | Bjartr wrote:
       | Reminds me of Soda Play / Soda Constructor from way back
       | 
       | https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_Constructor
        
         | AdamWhitehurst wrote:
         | Wow I came to the comments just hoping to see someone mention
         | this game (that I couldn't remember the name of)! Thanks a
         | bunch
        
       | abeppu wrote:
       | > Potential energy minimization is one of the most basic forms of
       | goal-directed behavior.
       | 
       | I'm confused by this statement. Potential energy minimization
       | happens when my errant soccer ball rolls down a hill, but this
       | seems not at all goal-directed. In this sentence the author has a
       | link to a timestamp in a >2h youtube video, in which this opinion
       | is expressed but I think not clearly justified. To me, this seems
       | to obscure the difference between inert physical systems like my
       | rolling soccer ball and systems capable of having goals (e.g. an
       | animal walking presumably towards something). Further, I think it
       | neglects that potential energy may be _part_ of a goal-seeking
       | strategy, like a bird of prey hanging out really high so it can
       | dive quickly onto an unsuspecting rodent.
       | 
       | > Actuation mechanisms are modeled with an action-dependent
       | energy function
       | 
       | And because the framework being described is intentionally
       | flexible, I think maybe we need to be careful about
       | distinguishing between a simulation of physical energy, and
       | energy as a metaphorical way that control or influence is exerted
       | on a system.
        
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       (page generated 2025-06-09 23:00 UTC)