Evolution of the First Brain and Cognitive Capacities in Early Animals

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Evolution is a constrained process driven by small incremental changes that must be selected for. The first brain in early animals needed to be simple and have adaptive value. Around 600-550 million years ago, the first animals with brains emerged, such as worm-like creatures with bilateral symmetry like nematodes. Nematodes, with their simple brain of 302 neurons, demonstrate remarkable cognitive capacities despite lacking complex sensory systems. Their ability to find food using taxis navigation, a basic algorithm based on gradients of sensory information, showcases the importance of a consolidated nucleus of neurons. This brain enables them to make trade-offs when faced with competing inputs, as seen in studies where nematodes choose between crossing a toxic barrier for food based on hunger levels and food concentration.

In this episode, Nathan sits down with Max Bennett, author of the book: A Brief History of Intelligence. They discuss the five major breakthroughs in evolution that resulted in human brains and cognition. They delve deeper into the workings of each breakthrough, the evolution of intelligence, and how AI can benefit from understanding these principles. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.

We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

LINKS:

A Brief History of Intelligence: https://a.co/d/6VPWTf7

SPONSORS:

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@labenz (Nathan)

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(06:00) Max's background on commercializing AI in technology

(09:53) AI has taught us a lot of our intuitions are wrong

(11:22) Why we're better off avoiding defining intelligence

(14:38) The Five Breakthrough Model - steering, reinforcing, simulating, mentalizing, and speaking

(15:43) Sponsor - Brave Search API | Shopify

(18:20) The story of the first breakthrough - Steering

(21:40) Evolution doesn't have forethought and every generation has to survive

(23:05) The study of nematodes - how did this first brain emerge?

(27:10) yet in bilaterians, but the idea is you classify things in the world into good and bad.

(33:00) Netsuite by Oracle | Omneky

(36:16) The story of the second breakthrough - Reinforcing

(1:32:44) The story of the fourth breakthrough - Mentalizing

(1:45:57) The story of the fourth breakthrough - Speaking (pls listen to the audio book / read the book)

(1:46:46) How evolutionary paradigms will shape up in the future

(1:55:03) A unified theory of value or moral patienthood that can be applied to the five breakthroughs

(1:59:21) Wrap + Sponsor | Omneky

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.