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.