CHAPTER 899: CHAPTER 144 FOOLISH DESIGN

"A stupid question? That’s fantastic!" Xiang Shan instantly perked up.

Yawgmoth calling it a "stupid question" was undoubtedly a good thing—this meant the question already had consensus in academia and wasn’t very controversial, possibly even considered "common knowledge" by professionals.

This is perfect!

Xiang Shan immediately pressed, "So what’s the answer?"

"Go Google it!" Yawgmoth nearly shouted!

"Damn it, there’s no search engine here, you know? Aren’t you aware of the internet restrictions here? You’re annoyed, but I’m more troubled!" Xiang Shan retorted unceremoniously.

The sound of rustling came through the phone, like Yawgmoth was furiously scratching his head.

"Life originated only once... or maybe several times, but only once has continued to this day." Yawgmoth said, "The process of cellular structure coming into existence from nothing cannot be replicated by genetic material within cells... The miracle happened only once; everything since then has been a continuation of that miracle..."

This was the answer Xiang Shan wanted.

Or rather, he had more or less known it but wanted to double-check with a professional.

"So, you’re saying genetic information dictates how cells grow and divide. But the structure ’cell’ itself has been continuous since about two hundred million years ago?"

"More or less..." Yawgmoth let out a yawn, "Genetic information can determine cell membranes and mix some special proteins into them. However... let’s say the structure ’cell’ itself has always existed. Cells don’t need to rebuild a cell... Have you ever heard of single-celled organisms nurturing a smaller cell inside them and then releasing it?"

"Wow..." Xiang Shan’s eyes lit up, "Then... does genetic information determine every detail of an organism’s growth? Like... let me think, does genetic information decide on the position in embryo development or cell differentiation?"

"Damn, that’s absurd..." Yawgmoth grew impatient, "Genetic information can’t directly regulate cells, nor can it independently edit proteins or generate organelles! The products resulting from gene transcription and translation can perform physiological functions and regulate the internal environment of cells."

"Wow, wow! I see, I see! The protein folding process isn’t precisely controlled by cells, but follows the principle of lowest energy? If I’m not mistaken?"

A blob of unstable material—like a polypeptide chain, or earphones in a pocket—will naturally move to the lowest overall energy state.

"More or less... principle of lowest energy, self-assembling systems... those are basic concepts!" Yawgmoth said, "Anyway, the products of gene transcription and translation can affect the cell’s internal environment, and that environment, along with the principle of lowest energy, determines the eventual protein folding outcome."

"Is this a purely mechanical process?"

"That’s such a damn weird way to put it! But it’s essentially correct, I guess..." Yawgmoth said, "Many aspects of embryonic development are mechanical as well, significantly influenced by forces. Many material distributions and formations are influenced by mechanical factors... Changes in cellular tension, fluid pressure around the embryo... Why else do you think artificial wombs and microgravity environments make embryo development so difficult? Stem cells in a hard glass dish and on a soft substrate can develop into entirely different forms, showing the process is entirely mechanically controlled."

Xiang Shan was dumbfounded, "So the answer is that simple..."

"It was always a stupid question. I bet even a high schooler who plays football every day could answer it—as long as he doesn’t go to a church school."

"I should have thought of this earlier... It’s just a straightforward ’idiot-proof design’..."

"What specialized term is ’idiot-proof design’ (in Chinese) supposed to be?"

"It’s... something structured to prevent fools from installing it incorrectly," Xiang Shan replied, but his mind was already elsewhere.

"Damn, those stupid embryos aren’t at all ’idiot-proof’... The repeated contraction of the cellular framework aligns, breaks, rebinds actin filaments, creating cellular anisotropy and plastic deformation and increasing specific pressures within the embryo, driving organized extension. Details like the extension direction of neural tissues depend on the hardness of the structure. Many human embryonic diseases stem from internal cellular flaws and mechanical abnormalities during this process..."

"Yes, yes, this is ’idiot-proof not fool-proof, strength brings miracle.’ Xiang Shan was already excited. He quickly said, "Eureka, Eureka! I know now!"

With that, he hung up the phone.

— "It’s not compressing any arbitrary 8,000 poems"

— "The cellular structure itself is the continuation of that one miracle, unrelated to genetic information"

— "There are many mechanical processes in embryonic differentiation and development"

- I understand now... I understand now...

Xiang Shan opened his computer and began typing rapidly to design his research plan.

- There’s still one more thing to confirm. If I’m not mistaken...

.................................

Yawgmoth, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, was sipping espresso in small sips. Meanwhile, David leaned against the water cooler with a stack of documents in his hands: "Buddy, have you really thought this through? Are you going to submit the application to return home?"

"What else would I do?" Yawgmoth replied, "There’s nothing here for me to research, right?"

"The conclusion isn’t out yet. There might still be some remnants... alien organic matter, perhaps?" David shrugged, "But you’re right. For many people, this research’s future is too uncertain. It’s normal not to want to waste one’s life here."

Yawgmoth rubbed his forehead, "Speaking of which, I’m here to submit a written application, what are you here for?"

"Xiang asked me to apply for some documents," David said, "To prevent hackers and spies, some original documents aren’t digital yet. He told me this morning that he might need some things, so he asked me to go through the process—when will these bureaucrats understand that the scientific method heavily relies on information freedom..."

"Xiang?" Yawgmoth said, "Last night he was shouting ’Eureka, Eureka’—I wonder if he ran around naked imitating Archimedes. Haha... what did he learn yesterday?"

"Huh? Yesterday?" David said, "He messaged me this morning saying he needed some documents... Does he have a new idea?"

"I don’t know, he just asked some bizarre questions..." Yawgmoth said, "I’m suddenly curious. I might as well ask him in person."

"Aren’t you here to submit your application?"

"One more day won’t hurt."