Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe What is the Physics of life?
Aug 6, 2024
Sara Imari Walker, an author delving into life and extraterrestrial possibilities, joins the conversation to unravel the mysteries of life's origins. The dialogue explores vital connections between physics and biology, suggesting that traditional methods might not grasp life's complexity. They tackle the philosophical implications of defining life, while blending humor into the challenges of understanding existence. With a gaze toward potential alien life, the discussion elevates the conversation around assembly theory and the interplay of evolution in defining what it means to be alive.
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Why Define Life?
- Defining "life" is crucial for origin-of-life research and the search for extraterrestrial life.
- Biologists can study Earth's life without a strict definition, but broader questions necessitate it.
Life's Essence
- Walker avoids a rigid definition of life, favoring a conceptual approach.
- She views life as how information structures matter, a mechanism for generating complexity using memory.
Viruses and Life's Definition
- The "are viruses alive?" debate highlights the difficulty of categorizing life.
- Walker argues against focusing on individual agents like viruses but on the continuous evolutionary process.