  Assembly Theory (AT) is a theory that explains how to determine if a complex
object is the product of evolution. Here we explain why attempts to compare AT
to compression algorithms, ref 1, does not help identify if the object is the
product of selection or not. Specifically, we show why aims to perform
benchmark comparisons of different compression schemes to compare the
performance of Molecular Assembly Indices against standard compression schemes
in determining living vs. non-living samples fails to classify the data
correctly. In their approach, Uthamacumaran et al., ref 1, compress data from
Marshall et al.2 describing the experimental basis for assembly theory and
evaluate the difference in the resulting distributions of data. After several
computational experiments Uthamacumaran et al., ref 1, conclude that other
compression techniques obtain better results in the problem of detecting life
and non-life that of assembly pathways. Here we explain why the approach
presented by Uthamacumaran et al.1 appears to be lacking, and why it is not to
reproduce their analysis with the information given.
