Episode 21: Evolution Outside the Genome

In this episode, we discuss how the work of Michael Levine intersects with the work of Raymond and Denise Noble's as well as Donald Campbell's. Levine recently did a TED talk on how the bioelectrical system between the cells is itself an evolutionary error correction process that determines the phenotype. This is a strong example of both Campbell's 'hierarchy of evolution' and the Noble's "purposiveness" in evolution where one level of the evolutionary hierarchy can cause levels below to teleologically evolve towards a purpose. The Noble's claim this refutes the classical formulation of Neo-Darwinism which they say is gene-centric. This also means we possible breakthroughs in anti-aging and medical treatments that don't require gene therapy or CRISPR. 

Levine's TED talk

Was the Watchmaker Blind? Or Was She One-Eyed?

An Introduction to Campbell's Evolutionary Epistemology