Gamer creates self-replicating mathematical organism

New Scientist : Computer gamer Andrew Wade demonstrated how complexity can form from simple beginnings when he posted his self-replicating mathematical organism on the internet. He created his prototype while playing John Conway’s Game of Life , a two-dimensional mathematical universe that involves patterns which form on a grid, based on a few simple rules. An initial pattern of “live” cells is chosen, which changes configuration over time as the rules are applied repeatedly. His discovery is exciting because it may help us understand how life on Earth began or inspire the design of tiny computers.