Joined by Josh Bongard, a pioneering Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, the discussion journey dives into the fascinating world of biological robots known as xenobots. Bongard explores how these living machines challenge our understanding of life and consciousness. The conversation also navigates the role of AI in biological development and the ethical dilemmas posed by self-replicating organisms. Listeners will re-evaluate the essence of intelligence and the profound implications of intertwining biology with technology.
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insights INSIGHT
Life as Self-Construction
Life is a process of self-construction and self-perpetuation called autopoiesis.
Machines that can self-construct and propagate are the future of living technology.
insights INSIGHT
Consciousness as Illusion
Consciousness is an illusion, an epiphenomenal term invented by humans.
Our brains fool themselves into believing they are conscious, like other illusions.
insights INSIGHT
Embodied Cognition Defies Mind-Body Split
Embodied cognition means no real separation between mind and body.
Brains are evolutionary add-ons, not the core of cognition or mind.
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Josh Bongard is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont and director of the Morphology, Evolution & Cognition Laboratory. His work involves automated design and manufacture of soft-, evolved-, and crowdsourced robots, as well as computer-designed organisms. In 2007, he was awarded a prestigious Microsoft Research New Faculty Fellowship and was named one of MIT Technology Review's top 35 young innovators under 35. In 2010 he was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by Barack Obama at a White House ceremony. He has received funding from NSF, NASA, DARPA, ARO and the Sloan Foundation. He is the co-author of the book How The Body Shapes the Way we Think, the co-author of "Designing Intelligence: Why Brains Aren't Enough", the instructor of a reddit-based evolutionary robotics MOOC, and director of the robotics outreach program Twitch Plays Robotics. TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) - Introduction (1:22) - Life, Consciousness & Intelligence(5:14) - How The Body Shapes The Way We Think(9:18) - Evolutionary Robotics & Consciousness(17:00) - Biological Robots ("Xenobots")(24:00) - Implications of Self-Replicating Living Machines(32:00) - The Role of AI in Shaping Biology(39:00) - What is Conscious, Really?(42:00) - AI Robotics(46:00) - The Advantage of Interdisciplinary Collaborating(49:00) - Escaping Cartesian Dualism(53:00) - Meta-Materials (Groundbreaking Work!)(56:00) - Cause & Effect(1:04:48) - Expanding Morphospace in its Entirety(1:12:00) - Blurring the Lines Between Living & Non-Living (Meta-Materials Are The Future!)(1:17:14) - Non-Embodiment vs Embodiment AI(1:20:00) - Conclusion EPISODE LINKS:- Josh's Website: https://jbongard.github.io/- Josh's Lab: https://www.meclab.org/- Josh's Channel: https://youtube.com/@joshbongard3314- Josh's X: https://x.com/DoctorJosh- Josh's Publications: https://tinyurl.com/3pd4t8ff- Josh's Book: https://tinyurl.com/4wd7hw3s- Michael Levin 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gp-ORTBlU- Michael Levin 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMxTS7eKkNM- Michael Levin 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R-tdscgxu4- Michael Levin Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQEX-twenkA- Michael Levin & Terrence Deacon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuWbHwPZd60- Keith Frankish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxDYG0K360E- Keith Frankish 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTO-A1lw4JM- Keith Frankish Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjGRcqD96Q- Nicholas Humphrey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCTJb-uiQww- Nicholas Humphrey Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3cWQLUbnKs- Mark Solms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqM76ZHIR-o- Mark Solms 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkbeaxjAZm4CONNECT:- Website: https://tevinnaidu.com - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution- YouTube: https://youtube.com/mindbodysolution- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu=============================Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.
Mind-Body Solution 