Michael Levin Λ Joscha Bach: Collective Intelligence

Michael Levin and Joscha Bach discuss cognitive science and mind in the context morphogenesis.

Sponsors:

LINKS MENTIONED:

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:55 Bach and Levin speak about each other's work
00:03:34 The cell functions as a neuron
00:07:15 Software as a control pattern
00:10:55 Disciplinary boundaries in academia
00:14:38 The perceptron is a "toy model" of the brain
00:18:44 How do you identify yourself as a researcher?
00:20:10 The benefits of podcasts vs. academia
00:30:04 Beliefs of Bach's and Levin's that have drastically changed
00:38:54 Memory moves outside the brain structure
00:45:06 Engrams and memory storage
00:47:30 The implications of transferring memory between species
00:55:25 Weissman's barrier
00:59:25 The notion of "competence" (Bach's and Levin's largest insight)
01:12:10 Virtualization for unreliable hardware
01:16:02 Defining "competence"
01:22:35 Bach's issues with goals (for and against teleology)
01:27:34 Planarian goals and explicitly encoded instructions
01:34:55 Navigation in "Morphic Space"
01:36:11 One species' birth defect can be another's benefit
01:37:42 The "Intelligence Trap" and bias
01:39:05 Application of each others' work to their own
01:52:25 Necessities of general intelligence in cells

[TheoriesofEverything]

Timestamps and Sponsors:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:55 Bach and Levin speak about each other's work
00:03:34 The cell functions as a neuron
00:07:15 Software as a control pattern
00:10:55 Disciplinary boundaries in academia
00:14:38 The perceptron is a "toy model" of the brain
00:18:44 How do you identify yourself as a researcher?
00:20:10 The benefits of podcasts vs. academia
00:30:04 Beliefs of Bach's and Levin's that have drastically changed
00:38:54 Memory moves outside the brain structure
00:45:06 Engrams and memory storage
00:47:30 The implications of transferring memory between species
00:55:25 Weissman's barrier
00:59:25 The notion of "competence" (Bach's and Levin's largest insight)
01:12:10 Virtualization for unreliable hardware
01:16:02 Defining "competence"
01:22:35 Bach's issues with goals (for and against teleology)
01:27:34 Planarian goals and explicitly encoded instructions
01:34:55 Navigation in "Morphic Space"
01:36:11 One species' birth defect can be another's benefit
01:37:42 The "Intelligence Trap" and bias
01:39:05 Application of each others' work to their own
01:52:25 Necessities of general intelligence in cells

[BenReierson]

These are my two most admired scientists in the world right now. I couldn't ask for a better conversation.

[wonseoklee]

Michael Levin's ability to describe complex idea/theory is no joke. He is not only a great scientist but a great communicator! He should deserve more media attention.

[starxcrossed]

I feel like I’m listening to conversations I shouldn’t be allowed to. I’m so grateful to Michael Levin every time he does a podcast. Thank you Curt, you are doing world-changing work.

[sunnyinvladivostok]

I love how Dr. Bach & Dr. Levin are so idea driven. No pettiness or ego seeps into their conversation, they're only humble people in search for understanding.

[SEJay-gjcv]

The world desperately needs more renaissance men like these.

[KineHjeldnes]

It just keeps getting better. People not following these conversations have no idea what they're missing out on. Philosophers (I am one) make thmeselves irrelevant when they are not taking notes. The Second Law makes so much more sense when viewed as telling us something about computation and how information can be physicalized. David Deutsch, which is also very well-versed in the history of science and epistemology, been preaching this for years and years! I hope Marletto gets back to you soon, Curt, because I think Levin is showing us that they are onto something really deep. What a conversation it would have been, if you could have Wolfram, Levin, Bach, Deutsch, Marletto, Alexander and Gorard on! <3

[blingpup]

Last week I was literally thinking about how these two minds seem to be converging independently and how great it would be if they had a conversation and… it happened…wow. Thank you Curt Jaimungal !!! My two favorite intellectuals.

[skybellau]

Michael 'totally' does deserve a Nobel Prize Curt. It's a network. Its true that it's always something simple that our categorising brains couldnt see. Amazing work ...and the eloquence to explain it.

[zane]

So excited for this. My two favorite researchers on the planet!

[andols]

its so amazing to be living in a time where we can listen to these two engage in this type of conversation. great episode once again curt

[Z.November]

I could listen to Joscha all day. He gives me hope.

[crazyworld]

Could this be the most dangerous conversation to ever happen or the greatest conversation to ever happen? My damn brain is fried… I’m gonna have to watch this like 3 more times and take notes.

[artfuldoc]

The quality of your videos and the calibre of your guests are an intellectual treat. Michael Levin and Joscha Bach are two of my favourite leaders in the field of artificial intelligence and cognitive science. Thank you for making this exchange available to all of us.

[thewaythingsare]

TOE has just taken Youtube to a whole new level

[thisway]

This show is straight dynamite. Seriously. Kudos. Well done. It is truly a blessing.

[beekneed]

Listening in on conversations of this calibre is such an edifying experience. Just being able to listen to people of such amazing intelligence and depth of interests is life-affirming for a regular shmo like me who otherwise has little opportunity of exposure to discussions at these levels directly from actual walking, talking experts.Thanks so much to you all x

[Robinson]

A great conversation with no BS, much above our paygrades. This is what we come for, thanks Curt!

[williamjmccartan]

Before I listen again, thank you, Joscha, Michael and Curt, such a privilege to hear discussions at this level of discourse. Second time through, if I as a professional at nothing but life, through personal experience, if I might, that, you are both "Systems" guy's, looking from above the network and trying to determine the system the network uses to make the network operate, two of the best in the world. Joscha defers his willingness to share his knowledge without cost, Michael participates with a willingness to engage the public in challenging topics for critical thinkers of our mental landscape. Just applauding them again, and thanking you again Curt.

[robertpowell]

Curt, this is the best one of your conversations I’ve ever seen. It addresses aspects of biological functioning that I’ve wondered about since I got my first degree, in zoology, over 4 decades ago.