The previous experiment showed that an injury of the upper border bit generally initiates CA movement. Between CAI < 13 and CAI >3 the CA moves downward. Since in its isolated state the CA is symmetric we may conclude that an injury of the lower border bit will drive it in the opposite direction.
The CA is controlled by the following buttons:
Plant : Plants a zygote.
Shorter: Makes CA shorter
Longer: Makes CA longer
Count at injury (CAI) is a set point above which injury is triggered.
Count at injury+: (CAI+) Raise the set point count
at which the CA is injured
Count at injury-: (CAI-) Lower the set point count
at which the CA is injured.
Move up: Is initiated by an injury of the lower border
bit.
Move down: Is initiated by an injury of the upper border
bit.
The experiment starts at CAI = 9 when the CA moves downward. Notice
its repeating pattern which indicates that it maintains a solution
(attractor). Click on ‘Move up’ the CA will create a different
solution. Following a perturbation (here injury) the CA will always
attempt to create a solution otherwise it may die. Initially we assumed
that since the isolated CA is symmetric, injury of the upper border
bit will drive it downward and vice versa. You may notice that this
applies also to some asymmetric states.
Before clicking on the buttons in order to change
the settings, make sure that the CA maintains a solution. Interfering
with it during a transient may kill it. Nevertheless, don’t be discouraged
since injuring the CA during transients may force it to create novel
solutions.
Remember the CA at CAI=18 which protected itself
against injury by covering its injured side with a protective matrix.
Repeat the experiment. Set CAI =18 and click on ‘move down”. After a
while it will create the protective matrix. Now click on “move up’.