Ep83 "Why Do Your 30 Trillion Cells Feel Like a Self?" Part 2
Dec 2, 2024
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Joining David Eagleman is Michael Levin, a developmental biologist renowned for his work on bioelectricity and regeneration. They explore the emergence of self from the brain's categorization abilities. Levin shares insights from observing metamorphosis in caterpillars and ant colonies, challenging conventional ideas of identity. They delve into the rubber hand illusion, showcasing the brain's adaptability. The discussion reveals how memories are fluid constructs, evolving over time and shaping our understanding of who we are.
Our perception of a stable self is an illusion created by the brain's ability to categorize and simplify constant cellular changes.
Memories are dynamic and reconstructive processes rather than static archives, continuously reshaped by current experiences and contexts.
Collective intelligence in simpler organisms showcases how cooperation among individuals can lead to complex problem-solving and adaptive behaviors.
Deep dives
The Nature of Self and Change
The concept of self is intertwined with constant change at the cellular and molecular levels in our bodies, creating a paradox of identity. Although every few years, our physical being is completely renewed, we maintain an illusion of a singular, unchanged self throughout time. This perception is akin to the ship of Theseus, where every plank is replaced over time, questioning whether the ship remains the same. The brain simplifies this complexity, allowing us to function within a stable identity, even as our physical form continuously evolves.
Memory as an Active Process
Memory does not function as a static archive but is an active and dynamic process involving reconstruction rather than mere recall. Each time a memory is accessed, it can be altered and reinterpreted based on current experiences and contexts, indicating that memories are creatively reshaped rather than simply retrieved. This fluidity suggests that memories retain relevance through transformation, aligning with how living systems adapt to their environments. Consequently, understanding memory demands recognizing its role in shaping our current identity while emphasizing the importance of ongoing personal growth.
Diverse Intelligences and Collective Behavior
The concept of 'diverse intelligences' expands our understanding of cognition beyond traditional views associated with higher mammals to include collective behaviors in simpler organisms like ants and bacteria. These systems exemplify how individual agents cooperate and compete, presenting a form of intelligence that emerges from interactions rather than centralized control. Collective intelligence demonstrates problem-solving capabilities that highlight the importance of context and adaptability in biological systems. This broad view of intelligence encourages appreciating various cognitive styles across species and systems, as each represents unique evolutionary adaptations.
The Role of Confabulation in Memory
Confabulation can serve as a creative process where the mind fills gaps in memory, leading to new interpretations of past experiences. This phenomenon suggests that while memories can change, their reinterpretation allows individuals to derive meaning from their experiences as they evolve. Examples show how people construct narratives around their memories, often influencing future actions and responses. Thus, confabulation underscores the brain's adaptability in making sense of a constantly shifting reality, emphasizing the interplay between memory and identity.
Future Self and the Illusion of Constancy
The notion of a 'future self' arises from the understanding that as individuals, we continuously change, posing questions about our identity over time. Although we may cling to memories and identities from our past, these recollections serve as messages from a different version of ourselves that may not align with who we become. This highlights that the self is not a single, fixed entity but rather a collection of evolving identities shaped through experiences and memories. Acknowledging this flux invites a sense of curiosity about our future selves, which are likely to differ significantly from the person we are today.
Does our sense of self emerge from our brain's skill at lumping things into unchanging categories? What can we learn watching a caterpillar brain transition to a butterfly brain? Can we think of a memory as a pattern that stays alive and has its own life? Does an ant colony have a sense of self? Join Eagleman and biologist Michael Levin at Tufts – one of the most energetic and original thinkers in the field -- to dive into new territories of the self.
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