This simulation demonstrates how Ernest agents (Version 10.5) interact with their environment and interact with each other.
Remember that Ernests know nothing about their world when they get born. They organize their behavior through experience while accomplishing intrinsic drives. They initially tend to explore contrasted colors in the environment. Eventually, they discover that they can eat blue tiles and cuddle with other Ernests. Once this is discovered, they tend to preferably seek blue tiles and other Ernests rather than interacting with other kinds of objects. Note that each Ernest may develop its own character as it grows up, even though they all have the same "genetic baggage" (the same algorithm). You can recognize them individually by their missing fins. Also, they tend to become quieter as they get older.
In some instances, it may take a while before they learn to cuddle together. You can increase their odds to meet by luring them into the same area, or introducing additional Ernests. You can experience what it is like to terminate an Ernest, which, we believe, is still ethically OK :-).
Please visit Ernest's blog for more information.