#325 – Michael Levin: Biology, Life, Aliens, Evolution, Embryogenesis & Xenobots
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What is discussed at the start of this section?
The following is a conversation with Michael Levin, one of the most fascinating and brilliant biologists I've ever talked to. He and his lab at Tufts University works on novel ways to understand and control complex pattern formation in biological systems. Andre Karpathy, a world-class AI researcher, is the person who first introduced me to Michael Levin's work. I bring this up because these two people make me realize that biology has a lot to teach us about AI, and AI might have a lot to teach us about biology. And now, a quick two-second mention of each sponsor. Check them out in the description. It's the best way to support this podcast. We got Henson Shaving for a great razor and shave. Eight Sleep for e-commerce.
Element for on-the-go electrolytes. And Insight Tracker for biological tracking. Choose wisely, my friends. And now, on to the full ad reads. Never adds in the middle. Those suck. I try to make these ads here interesting. So they're worth listening to perhaps, mostly because a lot of them don't have anything to do with a sponsor. They're almost like inspired by the sponsor. But if you still must skip, please check out the sponsors. They're the reason I'm able to do this podcast. So please support them in any way you can. I enjoy their stuff. Maybe you will too. This show is brought to you by Henson Shaving, a family-owned aerospace manufacturer bringing precision engineering to your shaving experience. You had me at engineering.
If there's any word a person can state to me that, you know, I was going to say turns me on a little bit, but that would be very inappropriate to do an ad read, so I would never say a thing like that. But anyway, I find engineering just... in all of its forms. Materials engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, all of it. I love it. They're using aerospace grade CNC machines and because of that are able to make metal razors that extend just 0.0013 inches, which is less than the thickness of a human hair. And And the precision of it is the reason you can have a safe, clean, smooth shave. Check them out at hensonshaving.com to pick your razor and use code LEX and you'll get 100 free blades with your razor.
You must add both the 100 blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply. This episode is also brought to you by Eight Sleep and its new Pond3 mattress. It is a source of happiness for me. Naps bring joy to my heart. They put to rest all the anxiety, the uncertainty, the sadness, the melancholy that I have on my heart. They let that fade and the phoenix rises from the ashes of the nap. And a cool surface of the bed with a warm blanket. I just love it. It's usually going to be about 20 to 30 minute nap. Cures all ills. I can have so much uncertainty, so much fear, so much anxiety about the world. And just a little nap. Or insecurity. All of it. A nap can cure it. And maybe that's a gift. Maybe that's a chemical gift for me.
I'm so fortunate not to suffer from sort of chemical depression that can hold you down for many days, weeks, or months. For me, a nap can cure so much. And it's beautiful. I mean, sleep is so, so important. So I highly recommend Eight Sleep. It's been, like I said, a source of a lot of happiness for me. Check it out and get special savings when you go to eightsleep.com slash life. This episode is also brought to you by Element Electrolyte Drink Mix, spelled L-M-N-T. I like their watermelon salt one, but lately I've also been consuming some of the chocolate mint. I have a question mark on that. I don't remember if that's what that is, but it's what it tastes like. And it's delicious, but it's a different, it's a kind of a different thing.
Nutritionally, it's the same thing, but spiritually, it's a different thing. So watermelon salt is more what I'm just trying to add a little like a kick to my water, right? And making sure I'm getting all the sodium, potassium, magnesium right for the low carb stuff I'm doing. But The chocolate one has a little, I don't want to say sweetness, but a little more complexity in the way chocolate does, right?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is discussed at the start of this section?
0:00–27:43
2
How does embryogenesis transform physics into cognition?
27:43–30:57
3
How do planaria demonstrate regenerative abilities?
30:57–1:01:37
4
What are xenobots and how are they created?
1:01:37–1:25:14
5
What are xenobots and how do they relate to robotics?
1:25:14–1:26:16
6
How do cells communicate and coordinate during embryogenesis?
1:26:16–1:27:03
7
What is the significance of the Xenopus laevis frog in biological research?
1:27:03–1:27:22
8
How can understanding biology lead to advancements in regenerative medicine?
1:27:22–3:05:12
Speakers
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