Simple Rules & Complex Results
When we awaken to/as the nature of mind and Big Mind, we discover that the immense complexity of the Relative world of phenomena unfolds from and within the Absolute. From that which is distinct from the world of phenomena, beyond simple and complex, unfolds immense complexity.
At the levels of the Relative closest to the Absolute, there are likely to be very simple rules - very simple habits - from which this complexity unfolds. And cellular automata is one model for how this may work, exemplified in games such as Mushroom Life.
In other words, you don't need natural selection to pare down evolution to a few robust forms. Rather, organisms evolve outward to fill all the possible forms available to them by the rules of cellular automata. Complexity is destiny—and Darwin becomes a footnote. "I've come to believe," says Wolfram, "that natural selection is not all that important."
The more sciences he probes, the more Wolfram senses a deeper pattern—an underlying force that defines not only the cosmos but living things as well: "Biologists," he says, "have never been able to really explain how things get made, how they develop, and where complicated forms come from. This is my answer." He points at the shell, "This mollusk is essentially running a biological software program. That program appears to be very complex. But once you understand it, it's actually very simple."
[Interview with Steven Wolfram in Forbes]
Simple rules have complex consequences.
Systems theories in general (within which cellular automata are often included) provides a wider and more sophistiated view beyond that of traditional mechanistic/reductionistic/soulless science and the view of creationsists and intelligent design. In a certain sense, it transcends and includes both.