In this installment, behavioral neuroscientist Kate Jeffery from UCL shares her insights on the fascinating interplay between entropy, complexity, and evolution. She explores how complexity arises amidst increasing disorder in the universe and the brain's role in navigating this landscape. The discussion touches on catastrophic extinction events, the unique properties of carbon for life, and the potential for different life forms in the cosmos. With thoughts on human influence over evolution and climate change, the conversation weaves together science and philosophical implications.
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insights INSIGHT
Entropy's Subjectivity
Entropy, a measure of disorder, seems subjective and context-dependent.
Its definition relies on macroscopic observation and coarse-graining, which involve human choices.
insights INSIGHT
Entropy, Time, and Function
The traditional view of entropy doesn't consider history or function.
In this book, Sean Carroll argues that the crisis in physics since 1927, stemming from the gaps in quantum mechanics, can be resolved by accepting the Many-Worlds theory. He explains that every quantum event results in the creation of multiple worlds, each with different outcomes. Carroll tackles major objections to this theory and provides a lucid explanation of how it reconciles quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity. The book challenges conventional notions of reality and offers a new understanding of our place in the universe and the nature of spacetime.
Our observable universe started out in a highly non-generic state, one of very low entropy, and disorderliness has been growing ever since. How, then, can we account for the appearance of complex systems such as organisms and biospheres? The answer is that very low-entropy states typically appear simple, and high-entropy states also appear simple, and complexity can emerge along the road in between. Today’s podcast is more of a discussion than an interview, in which behavioral neuroscientist Kate Jeffery and I discuss how complexity emerges through cosmological and biological evolution. As someone on the biological side of things, Kate is especially interested in how complexity can build up and then catastrophically disappear, as in mass extinction events.
There were some audio-quality issues with the remote recording of this episode, but loyal listeners David Gennaro and Ben Cordell were able to help repair it. I think it sounds pretty good!
Kate Jeffery received her Ph.D. in behavioural neuroscience from the University of Edinburgh. She is currently a professor in the Department of Behavioural Neuroscience at University College, London. She is the founder and Director of the Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience at UCL.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 