Richard A. Watson's New Theory of Life and Mind as a Song

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Dec 7, 2023

Scientist Richard A. Watson discusses the limitations of evolution by natural selection in explaining life's origin and transitions. Topics include dominance in art, physics of vibrations, stress in living systems, placebo healing, and life as a song leading to transformation and growth.

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INSIGHT

Limits of Natural Selection Algorithm

The classical algorithm of evolution by natural selection cannot explain the origin of life or evolution of evolvability.
It also struggles to explain transitions in individuality like from single-celled to multicellular organisms.

INSIGHT

Top-Down Causation in Evolution

Higher-level entities must play causal roles, not just genes controlling organisms from the bottom up.
Top-down causation explains how parts serve the whole and drive complexity.

INSIGHT

Micro-Macro Resonance Analogy

The physics of guitar string vibrations illustrate how micro and macro scales interact.
Molecular positions are determined by the string's overall geometry causing resonant frequencies.

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Prof. Richard A. Watson Institute for Life Sciences/ Department of Computer Science (Agents, Interaction and Complexity group), University of Southampton "Scientist, academic lecturer, author and…a human - doing their best to live a life well. Research expertise links evolutionary biology and computer science with a desire for personal and societal well-being, investigating big questions about life, learning, evolution, cognition and love."

Timestamps follow these links to Richard's theory set forth in five episodes:

Episode 1: https://youtu.be/zdmY6q2ZWm8?si=EH8J2mUnVPq26SB-

Episode 2: https://youtu.be/8B9eMUvFQc0?si=_ES6UgQEUE8uVDmR

Episode 3: https://youtu.be/krQoXA0pwV0?si=kI3xqJ0t_Z_P-65O

Episode 4: https://youtu.be/B8RnbHWv6n8?si=ta34RkP29REncdtE

Episode 5: https://youtu.be/rbYaM-RTpic?si=TrcApNydRI_6WW1f

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:20 Richard's background.

02:18. The algorithm of evolution by natural selection ca

nnot explain the origin of life, the evolution of evolvability, and the transitions in individuality.

16:00 Dominance (serving the focal point) produces unity in art.

18:18 The physics of guitar strings, frequency, vibrations and the synchronized movement of the molecules.

23:00 The role of context and environment in shaping the dynamics of living systems. The role of tension and stress in living systems

31:00 Placebo and Healing

36:00 Exploring the idea of life as a song, discussing how stress and tension can lead to transformation and growth, and creativity in natural selection.

40:30 The Creative Engine of Evolution, The tension between optimizing and harmonizing within a structure of possibility space.

57:37 Viscoelastic Connections in Natural Induction Networks

1:00:00 The connection between learning and the adjustment of relationships in a system

1:10:15 The possibility of resonance and harmonic relationships in living systems suggests a top-down causation story and heritability of a dynamical process.

1:26:17 The shape and form of an organism resonates with the song that the genes were singing.

1:33:06 A calculus that links shape, form, geometry, computation, optimization, and learning using the language of songs and harmonies.