Computer simulation in evolution

From PhiloWiki

Discussion of the validity of computer simulation to provide evidence for evolution. Why do evolutionists rely on computer simulation in the absence of evidence?

Computer simulations offer evidence for how evolution works

The facts: Nilsson & Pelger’s study, which was widely considered a computer simulation, contained no computer simulation whatsoever. It contained, in fact, no computer analysis at all, perhaps because it contained no analysis at all. It was Richard Dawkins who conveyed the widespread impression to the contrary, writing about a computer simulation that did not exist with the excitement of a man persuaded that he had seen a digital vision. As, indeed, he had. Commentators at the time came to Dawkins defense with a gratifyingly prompt display of personal generosity, so that what was, in fact, a complete fabrication took on the aspects of an understandable but trivial error. Any man, after all, might mistake nothing for something. <http://www.evolutionnews.org/2006/08/the_vampires_heart_a_response.html>