Dr. Sara Imari Walker is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist pioneering ideas about the origins of life. She discusses the limitations of traditional definitions of life and introduces assembly theory, which examines the complexity of molecular structures. The conversation delves into the intersection of physics and biology, the implications of embryology for understanding life, and the exciting prospect of alien intelligence. Sara also shares thoughts on technology's role in discovering new forms of life, inspiring a fresh perspective on existence.
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insights INSIGHT
Physics of Life
Traditional Newtonian physics struggles to explain life due to its fixed laws and initial conditions.
Life, unlike physical systems, constantly evolves with history and path dependence, as highlighted by Darwin.
insights INSIGHT
Assembly Theory
Assembly theory suggests life is the universe's only way to create complex objects like molecules.
It uses assembly index (shortest construction path) and copy number (abundance) to identify life's signature.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Ribosome as Transistor
Taxol, a molecule from plants, and the ribosome are examples of objects enabling further complexity, like transistors.
The ribosome's emergence solidified a specific architecture for life, influencing all subsequent development.
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In 'Life as No One Knows It,' physicist and astrobiologist Sara Imari Walker argues that solving the origin of life requires radical new thinking and an experimentally testable theory for what life is. This is an urgent issue for efforts to make life from scratch in laboratories and missions searching for life on other planets. Walker proposes a new paradigm for understanding what physics encompasses and what we recognize as life, culminating in a bold proposal for a new theory for identifying and classifying life that applies to any instance of life in the universe. The book celebrates the mystery of life and the explanatory power of physics.
Library of Babel
Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Luis Borges's "Library of Babel" is a short story depicting a vast library containing every possible book, most of which are nonsensical. The story explores themes of infinity, randomness, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic universe. The library's structure and the characters' quests to find specific books highlight the limitations of human understanding and the vastness of potential knowledge. The story's impact lies in its philosophical implications, prompting readers to consider the nature of information and the possibility of finding meaning in an infinite sea of possibilities. Its influence can be seen in various works of literature and art, reflecting its enduring appeal and thought-provoking nature.
In this episode of Conversations, we sit down with Dr. Sara Walker, an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist who is reshaping the way we think about life. From her work on the origins of life to her innovative assembly theory, Sara takes us on a journey through the possibilities of discovering alien life and challenges some of the core tenets of biology and physics. This conversation will make you rethink not just how life began, but what life is and does.
The Nocturnists 
