Evolution by natural selection and memetics are obviously the two best known Dawinian processes. I've just read about the idea of Universal Darwinism, but can't seem to find a clear definition. Does it apply just to biological processes or does it claim that literally all order is the result of Darwinian processes?

I was having an argument with someone who was saying that information always replicates and evolves, and that this is the fundamental idea of Universal Darwinism.

I put to him the idea of a CD with information stored on it. Surely this information is not evolving? I can accept the information is being replicated, say by photons being reflected off of the disk, and that this information will be mutated by particles in the air for example, but there is no selection mechanism to preserve one version of the information over another. Also, if UD claims to explain all order how is it involved in processes such as star creation for example?

Have I got completely the wrong idea about Universal Darwinism or is my friend actually talking sense?

In order for Darwinism to apply there has to be some medium that allows for variety and a context that puts each various object in competition with another.

In order for Darwinism to apply there has to be some medium that allows for variety and a context which puts each various object in competition with another.

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