The Physics of Life, Episode 5: Computation as Fundamental - Locks, Keys and Intelligently Behaved Systems

Glen gives a physicist's view of what is necessary to create a life form. In this episode, we touch on entropy and theory of computation, Link to playlist of all 6 episodes follows notes.

Intro to Theory of Computation link: https://youtu.be/58N2N7zJGrQ?t=466 Misunderstood Nature of Entropy link: https://youtu.be/kfffy12uQ7g?t=140

Digital Smell video link on key in lock mechanism in neurons: https://youtu.be/NsqsEni2uE4?t=3284

Getting Entropy right is important Intelligence as a modifier: intelligently behaved systems, systems that demonstrate intelligence, acting intelligently. Simplest computational structure - a state machine The universe of keys is the universe of consciousness of the lock. What information is useful to you. The key has a profile. The lock mechanism has a model of what it's looking for. The computation is comparing the model with the key. Dance is an example of a learning that has been incorporated into your fabric where you no longer have to think about it. The correspondence between the mechanical side and a language. Using a language like Verilog, an abstract idea can be turned into traces on a silicon disc and instantiated in the real world. The theory of computation - abstract half and physical half. Set theory. Computational systems and a hierarchy of languages. The system recognizes a language. How do we get to an artificial non-biological life form?

1. Cast it into the language of computation and it will tell you what the structure will look like?

2. Self-sustaining (harvests energy, feeds itself)

3. Be able to reproduce.

4. Find a chemical that acts as a logic switch.

Using proteins as a logic gate? Life happens because proteins can fold in a certain way. RNA polymerase transcribes the DNA. The protein molecule is built intelligently. Next episode we will discuss Emergence. Also the possible combinations of deterministic and predictable, unpredictable, indeterministic. DNA is encoded information. If something is using the information, the system defines what is useful.

Whole 6 part series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoARw9zo4EUZhxqfaqYU5yjy0-Tr8RlB4