Simplifying Complexity Assembly theory with Lee Cronin - Part 1
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May 26, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Lee Cronin, Regius Professor of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow and CEO of Chemify, delves into the revolutionary assembly theory he co-authored. He unpacks the assembly index and copy number, challenging traditional views of complexity in nature. Cronin also connects assembly theory to broader concepts of selection, innovation, and free will, illuminating how simple interactions can lead to sophisticated biological structures and evolution. Prepare for a thought-provoking journey through the intricacies of molecular creation!
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Complexity Science Misapplied
- Traditional complexity science, based on computing and algorithms, is meaningless when applied outside computer science.
- The universe is not a computer, so we need a new way to understand complexity in chemistry and biology.
Selection Beyond Biology
- Assembly theory proposes that selection exists outside biology and is fundamental to complexity.
- Complex molecules found in large numbers indicate a creation process driven by selection.
Assembly Theory's Unexpected Origin
- Lee Cronin conceived assembly theory from a conversation with his financial administrator with a physics and math background.
- He viewed molecules like Lego structures and developed a method to quantify molecular complexity by counting assembly steps.