The Dissenter

#985 Philip Ball - How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology

74 snips
Aug 26, 2024
Philip Ball, a distinguished science writer and former editor at Nature, dives deep into the essence of life itself. He explores the intriguing concept of agency in biology, discussing how living systems pursue goals. The episode challenges traditional metaphors, arguing that genes alone don't determine outcomes; context is crucial. Additionally, Ball unravels the dynamic role of proteins in cellular processes, shedding light on their impact on evolution and medicine. He also touches on ethical dilemmas in synthetic biology, leaving listeners with much to ponder.
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INSIGHT

Defining Life

  • There's no universally agreed-upon definition of life.
  • Philip Ball suggests agency, the ability to pursue goals, is key.
INSIGHT

Metaphors for Life

  • Metaphors are essential for scientific thinking, but they can become outdated.
  • The machine metaphor for organisms is no longer helpful.
INSIGHT

Life's Meaning

  • Living things generate meaning by selectively valuing information.
  • This goal-directedness distinguishes them from non-living systems.
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