Life is unique in its ability to assemble complexity.
This assembly process builds upon past objects, creating historically contingent paths.
Assembly theory aims to identify the complexity threshold beyond which objects can only arise through evolutionary processes.
This theory uses observables like copy number and assembly index to quantify complexity.
It suggests the universe constructs itself and complexity arises from causal chains, not just initial conditions.
00:00
Transcript
Episode notes
Sara Walker is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist. She is the author of a new book titled “Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence”. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(10:40) – Definition of life
(31:18) – Time and space
(42:00) – Technosphere
(46:25) – Theory of everything
(55:06) – Origin of life
(1:16:44) – Assembly theory
(1:32:58) – Aliens
(1:44:48) – Great Perceptual Filter
(1:48:45) – Fashion
(1:52:47) – Beauty
(1:59:08) – Language
(2:05:50) – Computation
(2:15:37) – Consciousness
(2:24:28) – Artificial life
(2:48:21) – Free will
(2:55:05) – Why anything exists
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