Reason with Science

Is evolution predictable? The guest for this podcast is with Simon Conway Morris, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology at the University of Cambridge. Famous for his work on the Cambrian explosion and the concept of evolutionary convergence, Conway Morris has written influential books including Life’s Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe, The Runes of Evolution, and From Extraterrestrials to Animal Minds. In this conversation, we talk about why convergence — the independent evolution of similar traits across unrelated species — offers evidence for deep constraints on the evolution of life. We’ll discuss major evolutionary transitions such as the origin of eukaryotes, sudden explosions of complexity, and the narrow “design space” within which evolution operates. We’ll examine whether traits like intelligence and consciousness are inevitable, why extinction often leads to familiar replacements, and how evolution’s predictability might extend to technology, culture, and even artificial intelligence.As Conway Morris provocatively asks: “If we replayed the tape of life, would we still end up with eyes, wings, minds—and perhaps even something like us?” This episode explores how the physical, chemical, and biological constraints that underpin convergence shape the living world and why, despite its complexity, evolution may be far more predictable than we imagine.Guest info:Website: https://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/directory/simon-conway-morrisEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/is-evolution-predictable-with-simon-conway-morrisYoutube: https://youtu.be/mYpFJbJsWYASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7cr8LN9qfsVz40ykFSjC3O?si=bae3fa740cbb4e77Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-evolution-predictable-with-simon-conway-morris/id1641776894?i=1000721290043YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=mYpFJbJsWYA&si=7RgntDEFRkqAh9hSFollow Reason with Science: Website: ⁠⁠https://www.reasonwithscience.com/ ⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScience⁠⁠ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 – Introduction 00:02:00 – Starting point: evolution’s predictability00:06:44 – Predictability of evolution & extraterrestrial comparisons00:10:56 – Deep homology and universal molecular pathways00:16:30 – Randomness vs probabilities in evolution00:19:41 – Major evolutionary transitions00:27:47 – Convergent evolution as a predictive framework00:42:45 – Laboratory evolution experiments00:49:57 – Human uniqueness vs other primates01:02:46 – Dyson spheres & the Fermi paradox01:06:09 – Human peculiarity and consciousness01:14:02 – Limits of understanding consciousness01:27:20 – Challenges in improving science funding01:38:59 – Mavericks and unpredictability of great ideas01:42:01 – Theology and spirituality in society#reasonwithscience #podcast #biology

Ricard Solé, a leading thinker in complex systems and synthetic biology, heads the Complex Systems Lab at Pompeu Fabra University. He explores how simple rules create complex biological systems. The conversation dives into why living organisms defy mechanical analogies, focusing on examples like slime molds and termite nests. They discuss the importance of collective intelligence and emergence in nature. Ricard also touches on synthetic biology, the evolution of multicellular life, and the implications of climate change on ecological tipping points.

This episode is with one of the most compelling voices in anthropology, Agustín Fuentes. Agustín is a professor, evolutionary theorist, and author of “The Creative Spark”, where he explores what truly makes us human, not just biologically, but culturally, socially, and creatively. In this episode, we discuss common misconceptions about evolution and explore the complex, branching story of our species. We examine how traits like cooperation, creativity, and social bonding shaped our survival, and why race, gender, sex, and even marriage is far more culturally constructed than biologically fixed. We also dig into big questions around religion, science, and the future of human evolution. Agustín helps us see that to understand where we’re going, we first need to understand how we’ve evolved, not just in body, but in mind, meaning, and imagination.Guests infoWebsite: https://afuentes.com/X: https://x.com/AnthrofuentesBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/anthrofuentes.bsky.socialEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/human-evolution-and-culture-with-agustn-fuentesYoutube: https://youtu.be/9KlvbqPXM8sSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55xwrZEofw4nO9iQEJ8sKQ?si=890c260c49be4372Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-evolution-and-culture-with-agust%C3%ADn-fuentes/id1641776894?i=1000717975098YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=9KlvbqPXM8s&si=NVXOiCWNdQf6lBJIFollow Reason with Science: Website: https://www.reasonwithscience.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScience Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:48 - Explanation of the extended evolutionary synthesis00:04:19 - The role of technology in modern evolutionary science00:05:07 - Why humans are the last surviving hominins00:06:02 - The “Messy bush” model of human evolution00:07:45 - Ancient human interbreeding and genetic mixing00:09:15 - Understanding creativity as a core human trait00:10:49 - What distinguishes humans from other primates00:14:47 - Convergent evolution and shared solutions across species00:16:22 - Exploring cultural, behavioral, and genetic inheritance00:20:45 - Human brain development and its adaptive plasticity00:25:25 - Why the human brain operates in a social default state00:26:02 - The role of imagination and creativity in human evolution00:35:12 - How media and modern inputs shape human bias00:42:05 - Comparing human creativity and artificial intelligence00:57:58 - Evolutionary insights into modern human diets

This episode is with John Tregoning, a leading expert in infectious diseases, professor at Imperial College London, and author of the books “Live Forever?” and Infectious. John’s work focuses on how our immune systems fight off disease and how scientific advances can help us live not just longer, but healthier lives. In this episode, we break down the science behind ageing and talk about the growing role of vaccines, lifestyle, and cutting-edge technologies like AI, gene editing, and immunotherapy in transforming how we think about health. We also touch on some big-picture questions like What are the ethical and social implications of radically extended lifespans? And what can we do right now to stack the odds in our favor for a longer, more vibrant life?Guests infoWebsite: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/john.tregoningX: https://x.com/drtregoningEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/vaccines-longevity-and-the-future-of-health-with-john-tregoningYoutube: https://youtu.be/x1-9zESxap0?si=nqAHKe27m1xX0HjLSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wSu03Fd1xkAzVmsMuMZg5?si=ng_0KpqXRiinG7vKfvbfIQApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vaccines-longevity-and-the-future-of-health/id1641776894?i=1000716957739YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=x1-9zESxap0&si=TU37R8zkoJoXgt8GFollow Reason with Science: Website: https://www.reasonwithscience.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScience Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to John Tregoning and the podcast00:01:26 - Scientific method and how we establish facts00:03:59 - How vaccines are developed, tested, and approved00:09:09 - What is aging? Biological and evolutionary insights00:11:22 - Healthspan vs. lifespan: Why quality matters00:13:44 - Infectious diseases and the immune system's role00:20:07 - Biology's complexity: Genes, environment, and unknowns00:23:22 - The immune system: Strengths, complexity, and risks00:29:08 - Microbiome and its influence on health00:34:06 - Chronic diseases: Heart disease, cancer, and dementia00:44:39 - Genetic predispositions and the limits of DNA testing00:50:00 - Obesity, diet, diabetes, and ultra-processed food00:57:03 - Technology in health: Wearables, data, gene editing01:06:05 - Lifestyle interventions for healthy aging01:07:52 - The importance of social connection for longevity01:13:39 - Public health policy and environmental factors01:16:21 - Ethical implications of radical life extension01:17:40 - Final thoughts: Prevention, trust in science, and living well

This episode is with Chris Kempes, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute working at the fascinating intersection of physics and biology. Chris joins us to talk about some of the most profound questions about life starting from fundamental definitions to exploring life's potential multiple origins guided by the laws of physics. Join us as we explore the role of energy landscapes in Prebiotic chemistry, the physical basis of microbial behaviors, scaling laws that govern life's metabolic patterns, and how collective behaviors emerge in multicellular organisms. Let's embark on a journey to rethink life's mysteries through the lens of physics.Guests info:Website: https://chriskempes.com/Chris_Kempes/Home.htmlEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/the-physics-of-living-system-with-chris-kempesYoutube: https://youtu.be/2rvJoa31-KI?si=TBAngZ5ZvgK3DoHCSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NSmBsJWfp7l5ZJMaxRVsv?si=0ceaa05de2964ecbApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-physics-of-living-system-with-chris-kempes/id1641776894?i=1000705041814YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2rvJoa31-KI&si=8jyG5q4MTQDiC7OvFollow Reason with Science: Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reasonwithscience.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScienceSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast00:00:24 – Chris Kempes and The Intersection of Physics and Biology00:01:20 – The Role of Definitions in Science00:03:59 – Merging Physics and Biology00:05:01 – Easy vs. Hard Questions in Science00:07:20 – What is Life? Defining the Undefined00:09:25 – Language as a Living System00:10:57 – Are Viruses Alive? 00:17:45 – "Livingness" as a Spectrum00:19:03 – Scaling Laws in Biology00:24:17 – Multiple Origins of Life00:26:01 – The Error Threshold in Evolution00:31:29 – Scientific Method as Evolution00:34:01 – Unifying Ecology, Origins, and Astrobiology00:45:00 – Convergent Evolution and Physical Constraints01:36:30 – Building Life in the Lab & Theories That Guide Us#reasonwithscience #podcast #biology

This episode is with Kenneth Catania, a neuroscientist and biologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. His work has illuminated the fascinating sensory worlds of species like star-nosed moles, electric eels, and the emerald jewel wasp. Science is often thought of as a rigid, methodical pursuit, but in reality, it thrives on creativity, intuition, and the ability to recognize patterns in chaos. In this episode, we dive into the "grammar" of science, the puzzle-solving nature of discovery, and the ways in which attention, technology, and unexpected anomalies shape breakthroughs. From paradigm shifts to high-voltage eels, we explore what it truly means to think like a scientist—and why the entire scientific endeavor is important for humanity.Guests info:Website: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/catanialab/Books on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/LrTbEEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/the-art-and-craft-of-science-with-kenneth-cataniaYoutube:https://youtu.be/BmV8y4iRuvwSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jxmbRdmDo8nr3iGwVq8w5?si=487106e179404a6fApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-and-craft-of-science-with-kenneth/id1641776894?i=1000700376415YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=BmV8y4iRuvw&si=RYFW4r-C13H6yrx5Follow Reason with Science: Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reasonwithscience.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScienceSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 – Intro: Why Science Is Both Creative and Crucial00:02:14 – What is neuroethology? The bridge between brains and behavior00:05:01 – Evolution’s extremes: Why strange animals are scientific gold00:07:27 – The real story behind scientific discovery00:10:03 – Science’s hidden stage: Where ideas actually come from00:11:01 – Why science changes – and why that’s a strength00:13:00 – Why revising experiments is like revising writing00:14:56 – Hidden histories: How experiments evolve like species00:20:01 – Obsession leads to insight: How puzzles capture our focus00:23:01 – Electric eels: Evolution’s living tasers00:29:30 – Anatomy of horror: Jewel wasp eats heart and lungs first00:31:02 – Art as a path to science: The surprising power of images00:41:01 – Scientific method: Bringing together Popper, Kuhn and chaos00:46:30 – The role of clarity in discovering facts00:47:58 – Science as a culture of truth-seeking00:53:01 – Science is everywhere: Even in your light switches00:55:52 – The unspoken reality of failure in science1:04:30 – Why scientists are humans, not robots in lab coats1:07:00 – Scientists don’t fit in a box – and that’s a good thing1:08:30 – Why scientific papers don’t tell the whole story1:09:05 – Success in science: What it really looks like1:10:46 – What makes a good scientist? Passion, curiosity, and persistence1:17:01 – Nurturing curiosity: Letting students follow what excites them1:19:53 – Hard work, passion, and science#reasonwithscience #podcast #biology

This episode is with Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo, whose research sheds light on one of the most fundamental transitions in the history of life—the evolution of multicellularity. Iñaki is a group leader at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, where he investigates how unicellular organisms gave rise to complex multicellular life. Our conversation explores the deep evolutionary forces that shaped this transition, the role of cooperation and cell differentiation, and what studying the ancestors of animals can teach us about life’s complexity. We also discuss broader questions about biological organization, individuality, and the very nature of what it means to be a multicellular being.Guests info:Website: https://multicellgenome.com/X: https://x.com/multicellgenomeEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/how-animals-evolved-with-inaki-ruiz-trilloYoutube: https://youtu.be/DgVuuAnYZpY?si=aH4Ti4uiomMaGW6dSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/054J6Lj4xqvw7h3oNzAis1?si=Ad4rVvgSRTumw_BwPaLSlQApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-animals-evolved-with-i%C3%B1aki-ruiz-trillo-reason/id1641776894?i=1000697174412YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DgVuuAnYZpY&si=cCfR2juq00UjCfKCFollow Reason with Science: Website: https://www.reasonwithscience.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScience Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:20 - Evolution of multicellularity with Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo 00:02:54 - Why compare animals with unicellular relatives? 00:05:11 - What defines multicellularity? 00:09:07 - Studying unicellular ancestors of animals 00:14:19 - Convergent vs. homologous evolution 00:22:26 - Why did multicellularity evolve? 00:27:53 - What did the first animals look like? 00:30:55 - Bilateral symmetry and its impact 00:33:27 - Predation, competition, and cooperation in evolution 00:39:09 - Comparing different multicellular lineages 00:52:22 - Searching for new unicellular relatives 01:03:30 - Experimenting with multicellular growth 01:07:08 - Can we fully understand the origin of animals? 01:09:47 - Closing remarks

This episode is with Kevin Mitchell. He is an associate professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin, where he investigates how genetic variations influence neural wiring, cognition, and conditions like autism and schizophrenia. Kevin is also the author of Innate: How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are and Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will. Here, we discuss the laws of biology and the nature of free will. Kevin also shares insights on agency as a defining feature of life, the meaning of self, and the evolution of perception.Guests info:Website: https://www.kjmitchell.com/X: https://x.com/WiringTheBrainEpisode links: Website: https://reasonwithscience.com/genetic-and-the-brain-with-kevin-mitchellYoutube: https://youtu.be/eOyNWCjBuQc?si=Nz09vBN0mCFN8nuFSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HVcFuG48HLu4T92aXflLM?si=a68eee4f113e4aeeApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/genetics-and-the-brain-with-kevin-mitchell/id1641776894?i=1000692566036YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=eOyNWCjBuQc&si=AMWPfTZthe8zS5tEFollow Reason with Science: Website: https://www.reasonwithscience.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScience Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:55 Biology vs. Chemistry and Physics00:04:02 Reductionism in Science00:16:09 Emergence and Evolution00:26:59 Free Will Discussion00:41:42 Cognition and System Irreducibility00:44:03 Genetics and Psychological Predispositions00:55:17 Complexity of Interactions01:04:39 Engineering Free Will01:07:38 Social Impacts of Free Will01:11:53 Long-term Free Will and Decisions

This episode is with Michael Levin and William RatCliff. Mike is a Professor in the Biology department at Tufts University. He is a pioneer in the study of bioelectricity, regeneration, and morphogenesis. Will is a Professor in the School of Biological Science at Georgia Tech. He is a leading expert in the study of how single-celled organisms evolved into complex multicellular life forms. Here, we talk about how cells cooperate, evolve, and build the diversity of life we see today. Specifically, we discuss about evolution of multicellularity, the role of bioelectricity in evolution, and the emergence of regeneration.Guests info:William RatCliff-Website: https://ratclifflab.biosci.gatech.edu/X: https://x.com/wc_ratcliffMichael Levin-Website: https://www.drmichaellevin.org/X: https://x.com/drmichaellevinEpisode links:Website: Youtube: https://youtu.be/NULzvSGpmvE?si=qMjfKNyMzKrUmdRmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/46y8cCFsbzMKRnC1urghVQ?si=E3tDRUojTPOrIsBHDqcusgApple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-biology-works-with-michael-levin-and-william/id1641776894?i=1000690266570YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NULzvSGpmvE&si=Fi1CksVMCBDPe9nvFollow Reason with Science:Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reasonwithscience.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ReasonwithScienceSpotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5qFLGsPWjL4GAGidmF2nKh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reason-with-science/id1641776894 ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLila1Jm-QEwKu4xXtNpYFAsSDmPR9mlZB&si=5ehXeZhZ-z181G5bTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction00:04:06 How do you picture a cell?00:12:5600:15:37 What is multicellularity?00:25:58 Why can’t unicellular or early multicellular organisms communicate over long distances?00:31:10 Cells as colonial organisms—how do they coordinate with identical genomes?00:48:11 Introducing snowflakes01:14:36 How does cellular specialization happen, and what makes it unique?01:16:34 Can different experimental conditions lead to new types of specialization?01:33:25 What drives cellular specialization?01:34:46 What happens at the cellular level in diseases like cancer?01:43:52 How do you view aging from a cellular perspective?More on Reason with Science:1) Chemistry of life and death | Nick Lane | Reason with Science | Origin of life | Biochemistry (https://youtu.be/YolIkk_oJdI)2) Collective intelligence of cells | Michael Levin | Reason with science | Bioelectricity | Biology (https://youtu.be/yFNWuHOtM1w) #reasonwithscience #biology #evolution

In this engaging conversation, cognitive scientist Hugo Mercier, author of "Not Born Yesterday," explores the evolution and function of reasoning. He reveals how biases like confirmation bias shape our thinking. Mercier dives into the dual-process theory and the importance of argumentation in improving decision-making. He dispels myths about gullibility, sheds light on storytelling's role in reasoning, and discusses training techniques to enhance critical thinking. The conversation emphasizes collaboration over competition in scientific discourse and the need for intellectual humility in the face of misinformation.