Thoughtforms Life

Dive into the intriguing world of teleology and its relevance to biology. Explore the concept of goal-directedness in cognitive skills, where intelligence is seen as fluid. Discover how biological systems, like axolotls, showcase collective intelligence to tackle challenges. Uncover the fascinating behaviors of xenobots and anthrobots, emphasizing self-replication and adaptation. Finally, challenge traditional views as even minimal systems reveal surprising cognitive competencies, expanding the definition of intelligence.

Murray Shanahan, a Professor of Cognitive Robotics at Imperial College London, dives into the captivating realm of consciousness and artificial intelligence. He discusses how cognitive processes relate to bodily consciousness, advocating for new communication tools for intelligences. The conversation navigates the complexities of defining consciousness across entities, intertwining philosophy and creativity. Shanahan also explores the rational study of causality in evolution and the philosophical implications of natural patterns, emphasizing the interconnectedness of reality and cognitive emergence.

This is a ~1 hour discussion with Adam Safron (https://www.adamsafron.com/) and Max Shen (https://www.maxkshen.com/home), and Michael Levinabout diverse intelligence and its relevance for pain. CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

In a fascinating discussion, mathematician David Spivak delves into goal-directedness and the intriguing nature of mathematical vs. physical constants. He explores the origins of goals, questioning if they arise from evolution or human design. The conversation shifts to how patterns emerge and guide systems, with thoughts on the dynamic nature of platonic forms. Spivak also examines cognitive tendencies in minimal systems, contemplating how behavior across scales can reveal implicit goals, while pondering the clustering of mathematical constants.

Michael Levin, a leading biologist at Tufts University, sheds light on the fascinating world of endogenous bioelectrical networks. He reveals how these networks can tap into cellular intelligence for breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, potentially transforming treatments for cancer and aging. The discussion showcases the impressive adaptability of organisms like axolotls, which can regenerate lost limbs. Levin also dives into self-assembling human cells with unique healing capabilities, painting a hopeful future for biomedical research.

This is a new ~1 hour talk by me on the concept of diverse intelligence, and morphogenesis as a model system with which to practice identifying and communicating with unconventional minds. This is a bit different than previous ones because I explicitly go over examples of how some of our various data on bioelectrics addresses each of several key properties of cellular collectives as *cognitive agents* navigating anatomical morphospace. CONNECT WITH ME:Podcast WebsiteYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyTwitterBlogThe Levin Lab

This is a ~1 hour total presentation by Pier Luigi Gentili (https://www.pierluigigentili.com/) and brainstorming session about chemical intelligence and its relationship to the broader field of diverse intelligence. CONNECT WITH ME:Podcast WebsiteYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyTwitterBlogThe Levin Lab

This is a ~50 minute talk by me (given at IIT Mandi yesterday) on bioelectricity from the perspective of both, a path to regenerative medicine of birth defects, injury repair, and cancer, and a model system for learning to communicate with unconventional collective intelligences. CONNECT WITH ME:Podcast WebsiteYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyTwitterBlogThe Levin Lab

This is a ~30 minute conversation with Benjamin Lyons (https://benjaminflyons.com/), Mark Blumberg (https://blumberg.lab.uiowa.edu), and Karen Adolph (https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/karen-adolph.html) on the field of motor development and behavior in humans and other animals, and the ties between that field and the morphogenetic intelligence of embryogenesis and regeneration. Suggested reading: Adolph, K. E. (2020). Oh, behave! Presidential address. Infancy, 25, 347-392. Adolph, K. E., Hoch, J. ... CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

This is a ~35 minute talk about diverse intelligence and our efforts to establish formalisms and methods for communicating with unconventional biological intelligences. CHAPTERS:(00:00) Expanding Mind Blindness(02:50) Recognizing Diverse Minds(05:00) Embodied Agent Origins(08:40) Anatomical Intelligence Spaces(12:40) Bioelectricity: Body's Glue(15:50) Communicating Cell Intelligence(22:30) Patterns Beyond Physics(25:00) Anthrobots: Novel Life Forms(27:30) Future Beings, Pattern Space(32:30) Conclusion and ThanksCONNECT WITH ME:Podcast WebsiteYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyTwitterBlogThe Levin Lab