Cellular Automaton

A cell depends on neighbors for its fuel
but they can steal resources that it needs
to stay alive. So competition's cruel
as each automaton both grows and bleeds
like robots scavenging for rusted parts
in graveyards of machinery, antique
repositories of synthetic hearts
that might stave off a killing losing streak.

Initial states define how things will go:
the math's deterministic, though complex.
An oscillating steady-state may grow,
or chaos spring from crashing glider sex--
but don't put too much value on the name.
They call it Life. It's really just a game.

More about the game of Life

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