Size and deviation - of flies and sheep

On size and deviation

POV you're a fly

You have fewer cells

If one cell fails, or perturbs other working cells

The other cells are more likely to fail

Than POV you're a sheep

That one cell that doesn't work

There so many more that do work

That that one cells nonfunction

Is inconsequential to the rest of the sheep


This would favour evolution of large size

Over the evolution of small size


It takes a lot more network robustness

To create a small precise system

As one cell would be sufficient to topple the whole system


Meanwhile in the big system

Fuzzier logic can apply

More cells can afford to go wrong

While the system maintains a semblance of function


Just some thoughts while staring at the wonderful

Black or white sheep

Of the Scottish Highlands

And comparing them

Against the black or yellow flies

Who are very much smaller

Than the sheep