151 - Michael Levin: Synthetic Life, Collective Intelligence, and Morphogenesis

151 - Michael Levin: Synthetic Life, Collective Intelligence, and Morphogenesis

Michael Levin is a Distinguished Professor in the Biology Department at Tufts University, where he holds the Vannevar Bush endowed Chair, and he is also associate faculty at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. Michael and the Levin Lab work at the intersection of biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science. In this episode, Michael and Robinson discuss what it means—if anything determinate—to be intelligent and to be alive before turning to the various fascinating ways collective intelligence arises at all levels of the spectrum, from microbes to synthetic chimaeras, which all adaptively solve complex problems using sophisticated cognition.


The Levin Lab: https://drmichaellevin.org/


OUTLINE

00:00 In This Episode…

00:55 Introduction

03:38 Michael’s Research Program

05:48 What Is Intelligence?

23:26 Does It Mean Anything to be Alive?

34:50 What Is Morphogenesis?

53:20 Slime Molds, Exploding Planaria Brains, and Intercellular Communication

01:11:48 Why Is Synthetic Life Useful in the Lab?

01:27:48 Final Thoughts


Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com


Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.

Jaksot(276)

250 - Norman Finkelstein: Trump, Israel, Gaza, and the Criminalization of Dissent

250 - Norman Finkelstein: Trump, Israel, Gaza, and the Criminalization of Dissent

Norman Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department, and is best known for his research on Israel and Palestine.  Norman also appeared on episodes 192, 218, 228, and ...

11 Touko 20253h

249 - Chris Hedges: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Rise of American Fascism

249 - Chris Hedges: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Rise of American Fascism

Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize–winning author and journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for The New York Times. He has covered numerous wars across the decades, written many b...

27 Huhti 20253h

248 - Richard Wolff: Trump, Hitler, and the End of the American Empire

248 - Richard Wolff: Trump, Hitler, and the End of the American Empire

Richard Wolff is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a visiting professor at The New School, where he works on economics in the Marxist tradition. This is Ri...

13 Huhti 20253h 11min

247 - Garry Nolan: Aliens | The Case They’re Already Here

247 - Garry Nolan: Aliens | The Case They’re Already Here

Dr. Nolan is the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has published over 350 research articles and is the holder of 50 ...

30 Maalis 20253h 22min

246 - Tim Maudlin: A Masterclass on General Relativity

246 - Tim Maudlin: A Masterclass on General Relativity

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at NYU and Founder and Director of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. This is Tim’s seventh appearance on the show. He last appeared on epis...

16 Maalis 20254h 22min

245 - Leonard Susskind: String Theory and the Black Hole War

245 - Leonard Susskind: String Theory and the Black Hole War

Leonard Susskind is Felix Block Professor of Physics at Stanford University. Along with other accomplishments, he is among the fathers of such revolutionary concepts in physics as string theory, black...

9 Maalis 20252h

244 - Norman Finkelstein: Donald J. Trump, Mossad Conspiracies in Israel, and the Dying Left

244 - Norman Finkelstein: Donald J. Trump, Mossad Conspiracies in Israel, and the Dying Left

Norman Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department, and is best known for his research on Israel and Palestine. In this episode, Norman and Robinson sit down for a d...

23 Helmi 20253h 42min

243 - Richard Wolff: Donald J. Trump and the Decline of the United States

243 - Richard Wolff: Donald J. Trump and the Decline of the United States

Richard Wolff is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a visiting professor at The New School, where he works on economics in the Marxist tradition. This is Ri...

9 Helmi 20253h 40min

Suosittua kategoriassa Tiede

rss-mita-tulisi-tietaa
tiedekulma-podcast
rss-duodecim-lehti
docemilia
mielipaivakirja
rss-ranskaa-raakana
rss-tervetta-skeptisyytta
utelias-mieli
hippokrateen-vastaanotolla
rss-bios-podcast
rss-poliisin-mieli
rss-duokkari-ekstra
rss-tiedetta-vai-tarinaa
rss-kasvikutsut