Exploring the Essence of Life at the Island of Knowledge

Life is the sum total of the time between birth and death. But have you ever really wondered, what is life? It’s mysterious - and even science doesn’t quite have an answer. But there’s a new biology of life that’s overturning decades of assumptions. We report from a gathering of biologists, geologists and artists at the Island of Knowledge in Tuscany.

Original Air Date: July 12, 2025

Interviews In This Hour:
Why we need a new theory of life — Beyond the genome: A new science of life — How humans can learn to be animal

Guests:
Marcelo Gleiser, Bob Hazen, Phil Ball, Melanie Challenger

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