:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2026-05-24 Sun]
:ID:       2afd9a3c-e96a-54c7-ac77-a05a28065b4b
:END:
#+title: Biology as Proof of the Lisp Model
#+filetags: :passepartout:biology:lisp:parallels:evolution:

Striking parallels between microbiology and the Lisp model:

1. **Homoiconicity** — DNA is code and data in the same molecule; no separate source and binary
2. **Hot-reloadable image** — alternative splicing, epigenetic marks, post-translational modifications change the running program without restart
3. **Automatic memory management** — proteasomes degrade misfolded proteins, autophagy recycles organelles; the cell never calls free()
4. **Interpreted dynamic language** — DNA → RNA → ribosome (interpreter) → protein; no static compilation step
5. **Self-modifying source** — CRISPR, transposons, DNA repair modify the genome at runtime; eval on the genome
6. **Duck typing** — protein folding depends on chemical environment, not type declarations
7. **Concurrent real-time GC** — apoptosis breaks down cell components for recycling by neighboring cells

Biology chose the Lisp model because it is more robust, adaptable, and evolvable. Evolution optimized for survival in an unpredictable environment, not peak single-thread throughput. Biology is the proof that the Lisp model can be efficient at planetary scale, running on hardware that self-assembles from food. See [[id:9af13fff-9725-542b-93b1-a555bc74ad72][Lisp economics]] for how these biological parallels inform the business model.
