Ep 2. How do we identify life?

In this episode, Chris and Abha explore how life originated here on earth and how we might identify it in other parts of the universe. They ask two researchers about the signature characteristics of life and what common dynamics we might see among organisms outside our planet. They’ll also delve into assembly theory, a recent concept that looks at the construction of objects as a way to universally quantify life, which has ignited debate within the scientific community.
Guests:
- Ricard Solé, External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, Head of the Complex Systems Lab at Universitat Pompeu Fabra
- Sara Walker, External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, Associate Director of the ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems
Hosts: Abha Eli Phoboo & Chris Kempes
Producer: Katherine Moncure
Podcast theme music by: Mitch Mignano
Other music: Matucha, Kijjaz, Klankbeeld, Aesterial-Arts, Dijifishmusic, Greenvwbeetle, Odilon Marcenaro, Jobro, Benboncan, Bone666138, Aiwha, Josh Berry, Rubenvvuuren, and Miksmusic
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SFI programs:
Complexity Explorer: Origins of Life
Education
Books & Films:
Frankenstein, directed by James Whale, based on book by Mary Shelley
The Computer and the Brain, by John von Neumann
Signs of life: How complexity pervades biology by Ricard V. Solé and Brian C. Goodwin
Talks:
Liquid and Solid Brains: Mapping the Cognition Space by Ricard Solé
Evolving Brains: Solid, Liquid and Synthetic by Ricard Solé
A Universal Theory of Life: Math, Art & Information by Sara Walker
Papers & Articles:
“Assembly theory explains and quantifies selection and evolution” in Nature (October 4, 2023) doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06600-9
“Time is an object” in Aeon, May 19, 2023
“The Algorithmic Origins of Life” in Journal of the Royal Society Interface (February 6, 2013) doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2012.0869
“Evolution of Brains and Computers: The Roads Not Taken” in Entropy (May 9, 2022), doi.org/10.3390/e24050665
“Unicellular-multicellular evolutionary branching driven by resource limitations” (June 2, 2022) doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2022.0018