Sorting Algorithms as a Model of Morphogenesis

Visualizing unexpected competencies in minimal models of intelligence

This webpage is directly based on the work of Taining Zhang, Adam Goldstein, and Michael Levin which can be found here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.05375.
Note: This webpage is not affiliated with Michael Levin or his research team.

"Ascending" Agent
"Descending" Agent
Frozen Cell (Barrier)

Experiment Status

Select an experiment to observe the execution of cell-view sorting algorithms.

  • Delayed Gratification: Examines the system's ability to navigate static defects.
  • Chimeric Clustering: Examines spatial distribution in mixed-policy arrays.

The "Cell-View" Logic

FOR EACH CELL (running in parallel):
  1. Look at Left Neighbor
  2. Look at Right Neighbor
  IF type is "Ascending":
    If value < Left: Swap Left!
    If value > Right: Swap Right!
  IF type is "Descending":
    If value > Left: Swap Left!
    If value < Right: Swap Right!