
#373 – Manolis Kellis: Evolution of Human Civilization and Superintelligent AI
Lex Fridman Podcast
Observations on the Dramatically Different Behaviors of Babies
Babies exhibit dramatically different behaviors, despite inheriting common genetic variants from their parents. These common variants generally have weak effects on personality and behavior. The existence of such variety suggests the influence of rare genetic variants inherited in a more Mendelian fashion. These rare variants likely govern multiple aspects of human behavior, biology, and psychology. The interplay between nature and nurture shapes an individual's traits and personality. While common variants contribute to the law of large numbers, rare variants introduce complexity and diversity. The complexity of human development also emerges from the regression to the mean concept, which explains why extraordinary achievements do not necessarily pass on to future generations. The selective evolution of rare variants helps to ensure the viability of the species. The process of selection happens rapidly within our immune system, indicating the potential for similar processes in the reproductive system. The expressing of vast numbers of proteins in sperm and eggs allows for fail-fast mechanisms, weeding out detrimental mutations early in development. This nested evolutionary loop enables more iterations and faster adaptation compared to the slow evolution of humans. Understanding these mechanisms can potentially lead to engineered solutions for diseases and disorders. The winning sperm concept highlights the importance of individual variation in genetic inheritance. OpenAI's base model, with its diverse range of behaviors and perspectives, presents challenges similar to interacting with complex human psyches. Aligning with and understanding these models can enhance interactions and harness their underlying capabilities.