Thoughtforms Life

This is an ~1 hour talk by Michael Levin on the topic of engineering with agential (living) materials, given for the students and other members of the ETHZ Zurich Soft Robotics Lab led by Prof. Robert Katzschmann). CHAPTERS:(00:00) Introduction: Biorobotics & Materials(02:20) The Anatomical Compiler(04:15) Agential Materials & Competency(07:00) Biological Plasticity Examples(11:50) Navigating Anatomical Space(15:00) Beyond Molecular Medicine(17:40) Intelligence in Development(21:00) Newt Tubule Plasticity(24:00) Picasso Tadpole Experiment(27:00) Pattern Homeostasis & Setpoints(29:40) Bioelectricity as Interface(32:00) Reading Electrical Patterns(34:00) Manipulating Bioelectric Info(35:40) Bioelectric Organ Triggers(38:30) Frog Leg Regeneration(40:00) Planarian Pattern Memory(43:30) Properties of Memory(45:00) Modeling Anatomical Decisions(46:30) Head Shape Plasticity(49:00) Hacking Plant Morphogenesis(50:30) Full Stack Modeling(51:30) Cancer & Cognitive Cone(54:00) Synthetic Xenobots(57:30) Human Anthrobots(59:30) Future of Life Forms(01:03:00) Summary & Acknowledgements CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

Explore the fascinating intersections of biology and AI, as traditional categories of species and minds are challenged. Discover how collective intelligence shapes human identity and informs our understanding of memory and development. From the unique regenerative capabilities of planaria to the creative problem-solving of evolving systems, the talk unveils a world of diverse intelligences. Plus, insights into ethical relationships with non-human minds and the potential of bioelectric patterns in medicine spark new conversations. Engage with the idea of intelligence beyond appearances!

This is the second of several interviews we will do with significant contributors to the field of developmental bioelectricity. Min Zhao's work focused on the role of ion currents and applied electric fields in cell migration and wound repair. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=G7-zWBcAAAAJ&hl=en https://health.ucdavis.edu/dermatology/faculty/zhao.html Aastha Jain: https://www.livelongerworld.com/ CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

This is a 1-hour conversation with Ali Hanson (https://braininitiative.nih.gov/ali-hanson-md-phd) on her path in science, including a ~45 minute presentation of her data in Hydra. This is the first of a series of videos I will do to highlight some exceptional junior scientists' work. More information will be provided on a blog post on Ali's work at https://thoughtforms.org/ CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

This is a talk I gave at a large tech company for non-specialists interested in the intersection of computation, biology, and fundamental questions about Selfhood. It's about 48 minutes long and unfortunately does not capture my cursor movement so you can't see the things on the slides at which I am pointing. CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

This is the first of several interviews we will do with significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Richard Nuccitelli is a legend, having invented (with Lionel Jaffe, in 1974) the Vibrating Probe - a technique that allowed the non-invasive sensing of ion currents around living tissues. This is about a ~1 hour conversation in which he talks about his background, the history of the field, and his current clinical work on the bioelectrics of cancer. Richard Nuccitelli: htt... CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman and evolutionary biologist Richard Watson dive deep into perception, consciousness, and the nature of reality. Hoffman discusses the unique interplay of Markov kernels in cognition, proposing that observation is a participatory act. Watson introduces a model of agency as a rhythm of sensing and action, likening organisms to resonators with enhanced capabilities. They explore the mathematical and philosophical connections between cognition, spacetime, and possibilities in quantum physics, emphasizing the need for collaborative research in this intriguing field.

In this engaging discussion, biologist Mike Levin, cognitive scientist John Vervaeke, and psychologist Gregg Henriques explore the intersections of mind, selfhood, and diverse intelligence. Levin introduces the TAME framework and cognitive light cones, linking biology with cognition. Vervaeke delves into relevance realization and its connection to self-care. Henriques presents his Tree of Knowledge model, discussing the relation of culture, mind, and evolution. Together, they tackle profound topics like the meaning crisis, participatory knowing, and the essence of human intelligence.

This is about a ~45 minute talk by me, focusing specifically on parallels between morphogenesis and cognitive/behavioral science (given to a neuroscience audience). CONNECT WITH ME: Podcast Website YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Twitter Blog The Levin Lab

Tesh Natalia, a researcher at OIST with a unique blend of theoretical chemistry and cognitive science, dives into Hopfield networks and their capacity to tackle propositional satisfiability problems. She explains the dynamics of these networks and how they can optimize memory through Hebbian learning. Tesh also discusses their potential to connect agent beliefs and preferences to behavioral controls, and explores the implications for creativity, learning, and decision-making in simulated environments. Fascinating insights into artificial intelligence and cognition unfold throughout!