Michael Levin | Evolution, Basal Cognition and Regenerative Medicine 

Thank you❤

That's what we thought too!

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

Yes. This guy seems to be next in the lineage of Darwin, Newton, and Einstein..

Thanks for the comment!

@@SEMF 😇

Mind blowing is definitely right

@@imstevemcqueen Certainly!

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

Those are exactly the right questions! Join our community to discuss with other SEMF subscribers: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

Very much so! This research invites to dream up quite mind-bending futures!

It leads to the end of the end or what u call limits

stolen

Very relevant comments! We have had plant cognition contributions at SEMF before, so the animal-plant analogue seems quite plausible. The collective organism of humanity/civilization is also a very tantalizing thought!

We are glad you enjoyed our content!

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

Certainly!

Finally someone is standing up to cancer!! Keep going Michael!!! U r amazing

That's quite a duo!

@@SEMF They have nothing on Sabine Hossenfelder though 🙂

@@kensho123456 Always in time to do so!

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

That's right!

do you think it could help create new treatments for mental illnesses as well?

@@fennadikketetten1990 The principles described by Levin here apply to both cognition and anatomy, so the answer is: eventually, yes.

The font is indeed the only questionable aspect of this presentation!

I like the font, it is simple and soft like human non-cursive writing.

@@carlschultz4131 honest thoughts right there!

In all honesty, I find it completely ok myself. I’m a designer myself but the hate towards comic sans has always seemed to me as just… cliché.

@@enriquepageperez1305 At one point it was really overdone, particularly by millennials in their early teens. That seems to be where most of the animosity is coming from.

Definitely! Data structures with higher forms of organizations are appearing at different levels in Biology. Very exciting stuff!

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

That's right, interesting point. I am sure Michael covers it in his papers.

Where is the published paper?

Precisely! Those are the questions we begin to be able to pose and potentially answer with these sorts of investigations.

What is precise about this? Or is that just a word without meaning.

Thanks for your reply Ashnur. Few words have no meaning. I don't know to what word you refer. We are all looking for the meaning of life, nature, the universe and existence. Sometimes we have to make it up as we go. Words are often inadequate so we must just do the best we can. I hope this finds you well and as meaningful as possible.

Thanks for your reply@@SEMF This is the most important and amazing investigation there can be for me at least. I think we are on the verge of finding answers that were searched for down the ages by our ancestors.

@@WILLIAMMALO-kv5gz Absolutely, the particularity of this science is that it aspires to explain ourselves as evolved living beings!

This is super fascinating! We will be exploring these topics in coming SEMF podcast episodes and conferences!

You could share those references in our online community. You can join here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

@@SEMF Hi, I appreciate the invitation but my dance card is full when it comes to online forums:) I've heard Dr. Levin speak many times now and would just like it known that a lot of his ideas and experiments are not new. Hopefully a few people may be inspired to look up Dr. Becker on their own. Cheers.

@@atelier27 Very understandable! And thanks for the references. You will be welcome anytime :)

Truly fascinating research indeed!

Interesting thought!

Consciousness makes sense as an emergent subjective experience, that "identical mind" your mention doesn't really happen. What do you mean precisely?

How would you define "purpose"?

Great question... "The reason for being" comes to mind. Let's see, a population of unique individuals shares at least one end goal (aka spirit, purpose), and out of the subsequent behavior a unity naturally emerges from the many. I am an example of that unity, being a man as the whole from my parts ... My guess is that we choose various purposes from the options available, which are contingent upon what has already been paid down or previously chosen... We seek congruence or harmony of soul with our history. I fear fire and find it's effects painful because of prior choices.

@@williamteach6978 Intriguing stuff indeed. For direct engagement, you may join our online community using the form at : semf.org.es/participate/join.html

These are exciting times for this kind of research!

Hi. In the case of planarian worms the head somehow instantly adapted to a new environment so its head no longer exploded when exposed to barium. This was an intelligent response. So what is intelligence? What is information? What is a field? What is a gene? What is a chemical? What is a frogalotal? These questions and more I am asking and re-asking again due to exposure to Micheal Levin and friends. So I am adapting all my viewpoints. With this emerging technology we could create humans with four arms or wings or two heads. Our sense of ridiculousness would not allow this but where does that intrinsic sense come from? Nature? What is "Nature"? If you say "God" then what is your concept of "God"? If you believe in the non existence of "God" what is your concept of that"God" in your mind that does not exist?? What is "Existence"? What is non existence? What is "Reality"? This crosses all the barriers between Philosophy, theology, and any discipline of Science. Including Math. AI and Infinity also. The implications are more than mind boggling, they are imagination boggling...!!! I think we are standing on the brink of a brand new age of human and AI thought, creativity and achievement... i just hope we don't blow ourselves up before we get there. Wishing you and all collectively very well...

@@WILLIAMMALO-kv5gz All very interesting questions!

Thanks for the question. Perhaps someone in our community could answer it: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

What was the controversy?

@@SEMF Williamson developed a controversial hypothesis proposing the acquisition of larval stages in some marine organisms by hybridisation between two distant animal species (a speciation process referred to as hybridogenesis by Williamson). The fraction of the genome of one of the contributor species would be restricted to lead the developmental program of a newly acquired larva whereas the genome of the other contributor would drive the development of most of the adult anatomical structures. Wiki . He made a sea urchin/tunicate hybrid that was reminded me of the frogolotl . But he was severely criticized . He was very gracious to me in my correspondence with him. I’m sure he would appreciate your work as do I.

Luidia sarsi (Echinodermata) an interesting example of organ systems leading lives of their own (if set free from enslavement) . Placenta animals are treated with such disrespect (joke)

@@dlindeman Placenta deserves more respect indeed ;)

@@dlindeman Thanks we will keep it in mind for future collaborations.

This really was an amazing contribution. We are having a Levin-focused event in our community. You can join the live discussions on our community here: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

Wow 48 mins in Crazy 🤪 😜 but can it be done in babies in the womb

What kind of interaction would mediate such a mechanism?

By mediation, we are suggesting a 3rd component involved, orchestrating or causing the interaction between 2 bodies? A 3rd component distinct from or common to or common in? My initial question rests on the assumption that the interaction is mechanized within matter (atom) itself (ie, encoded through physical/environmental abilities/limitations, harmonized/co-resonant components). Despite this mechanized process of interaction within matter, living bodies (humans, fauna and flora) occur “naturally” through a different ordering force. I have way too many questions as a non-scientific individual. Thank you for the consideration. Be well.

@@paulhaube Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

What software?

His explanation around minute 39.

@@jack_separo That's the analogy: hardware=body structure, software=bioelectricity pattern on top.

@@SEMF , I know it is an analogy, the question is where's it come from if not from the genes, and thw genes is the hardware. It is confusing, or may be not, if you can help me how he model the interaction of both.

@@jack_separo The idea seems to be that the pattern of bioelectricity has enough interactive structure that it can act as a computational substrate.

What do you mean by "BS"?

As a professional software engineer with 20+ years of experience, I believe we use our software capabilities for bull shit. Mostly to bullshit ourselves, but often each other. If you heard about this book, Bullshit Work, it describes a part of it.

​@@SEMFbull shit😮‍💨😭

Got it ;)@@RogueElement.

In what sense does it happen at the atomic level?

Yes, another example of the same phenomenon!

A common view is that the continuum is in the model, not reality "per se". The concept of continuum has proven extremely powerful historically, perhaps it should remain as such.

@@SEMFI really hope not, since it causes all kinds of issues in everyday life that we insist on it. From math to everything else. It doesn't actually match up with our immediate sensory experience if you introspect and not rely on learned knowledge.

@@ashnurThe history of modern science shows the power of the concept of the continuum, even when you don't assign ontic value to it.

I think this is tautological, so I can disregard it:)@@SEMF I am not saying there is no meaning, no value, no use. I am saying with all that, there is also things we could avoid without losing any of the use and value and meaning.

@@ashnur What is to be avoided in the use of the concept of continuum?

How would you explain learning and advanced cognition without memory?

@@SEMF I assume you mean an explanation of learning without memory. My confirmation of memory is in line with Bergson, Whitehead, and Sheldrake. These theories do not require MEMORY STORAGE specifically. There is remembering, recollecting and a presence of the past, which can bring about learning and adaptation. What evidence convinces you memories are stored in neural tissue?

@@SEMF I find that information theoretic frameworks of mind very problematic. The encoding/decoding paradigm has some major issues that aren't resolved by strong evidence.

@@S.G.Wallner Digital models of the mind (where information is stored like in hard drives) are clearly not aligned with evidence but informational descriptions need not be digital. Information being kept as part of the state of the physical system seems to be the case, Levin's work further confirms this perspective.

@@SEMF brilliant! I definitely agree with your statement against digital storage. I also am willing to accept Levin's line of thinking and the evidence. It is very much related to Bergson's concept of memory, such as a living, evolving, context or pattern of habit. I think using the term memory is misleading for most, and misappropriated by most. The concept memory has lost relevant meaning in neutral systems because of the conflation of digital, or computer like memory. I think a new terminology is needed even for Levin's work. And I'm still not absolutely sure about any real storage of memory, digital or otherwise. Again, storage is problematic. I know this is semantic, but it is important to me. Ugh, frustrating to get a point across in the comments. I'd love to talk it out with you. From being a huge fan of your channel, I know we are in alignment in many ways. I'd love to hear your position more completely. Thanks for engaging with my comment. I'm happy to continue.

Truly a shocking part of the talk!

Really fascinating moment in the talk indeed!

Probably a podcast series...

That's a very real possibility. The fear of death will not disappear though...

That's the idea!

Hurry for what specifically?

"The world needs you I guess" ... I guess? Incredible work!!!!

@@SEMFI assume regenerative medicine as in new legs, repaired spinal chords, reversion of blindness, and correction of any of a bazillion catastrophic diseases. I hope one day the fruits of this work will bring a better life to vast numbers of people. Hopefully they will remember Dr. Levin et al.

Indeed!@@itmomotitimo

Those are very worthy goals@@bradsillasen1972!

Thanks for the very thoughtful comment, those are all very important considerations. Perhaps you would like to share them in our online community and continue with discussions there? You can join for free simply following this link: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

The potential for positive uses for Michael Levin's work is vast , but the negative is also true ....the funding available for one side is tiny compared to the other .... unfortunately for us all.

@@elizabethwinsor5140 What negative uses do you see?

The possibilities are endless it seems!

@SEMF I'm sure it would cost a pretty penny though .....

You are like a one man Army lol 😆 💜 😂 🤣 😅

GRAVITY: WARNING: (CONTAINS EXISTENTIAL MATTERS): Here is the test for the 'gravity' portion of my TOE idea. I do not have the necessary resources to do the test but maybe you or someone else reading this does, will do the test, then tell the world what is found out either way. a. Imagine a 12 hour clock. b. Put a magnetic field across from the 3 to 9 o'clock positions. c. Put an electric field across from the 6 to 12 o'clock positions. (The magnetic field and electric field would be 90 degrees to each other and should be polarized so as to complement each other.) d. Direct a high powered laser through the center of the clock at 90 degrees to the em fields. e. Do this with the em fields on and off. (The em fields could be varied in size, strength, density and depth. The intent would be to energy frequency match the laser and em fields for optimal results, cancelling out the em modalities of the laser, thereby leaving behind the gravity modality.) f. Look for any gravitational / anti-gravitational effects. (Including the utilization of ferro cells so as to be able to actually see the energy field movements.) (And note: if done right, it's possible a mini gravitational black hole might form. Be ready for it. In addition, it's possible a neutrino might be formed before the black hole stage, the neutrino being a substance with a very high gravitational modality with very low 'em' modalities.) (An alternative to the above would be to direct 3 high powered lasers, or a single high powered laser split into 3 beams, each adjustable to achieve the above set up, all focused upon a single point in space. Maybe I could concentrate the Sun's 'em' into a high powered laser. Might even work with the correct set up breaking the Sun's 'em' down into single 'em' energy frequencies acting like a single energy frequency laser. A high energy laser powered by the Sun. Cool, or actually pretty hot. More than one way to build a laser.) 'If' effects are noted, 'then' further research could be done. 'If' effects are not noted, 'then' my latest TOE idea is wrong. But still, we would know what 'gravity' was not, which is still something in the scientific world. (But hey, might even still get a Sun powered laser, which of course could even be utliized in outer space for various agendas.). This test can speak for itself. It will either be true, partly true, or not true at all. It will either show what gravity truly is, might be, or is not. Science still wins either way and moves forward. * And note: Whether my gravity test or another's, a gravitational black hole would have to be formed to prove the concept as being really true. A gravitational black hole that 'if' self fed itself, could literally wipe out this Earth and all on it, possibly this solar system, possibly put a black hole in this section of our galaxy, and potentially even causing a ripple effect in this galaxy and surrounding universe. But hey, if it does, no worries. Nobody would be left to prosecute those who did so. (Possibly famous last words: "Hey, it worked. Ooooppppssss.................) But as NASA has already proven that low gravity conditions over a prolonged period of time is harmful to the human species, and large rotating space ships won't really work for space bases on planets and moons, those space bases probably being needed somewhere along the way out of this solar system and galaxy, we need to figure out what gravity truly is and see if we can generate artificial gravity so as to have smaller space ships and proper gravity conditions for space bases on planets and moons. Otherwise, at least all human life will most probably die and go extinct one day. Currently, no exceptions. * Added note: Just trying to save at least 1 single species from this Earth to exist beyond this Earth so that life itself from this Earth has continued meaning and purpose to. Gives me something to do while I exist, otherwise, what is it all and everything for? Even if my TOE idea were correct, but if it did not help species survive beyond this Earth, what good would it ultimately be? So, are you feeling lucky? Doing nothing and at least the entire human species eventually dies and goes extinct with a high degree of certainty. Doing a gravity test, (mine and/or another's), and there is at least a slim chance of literally wiping out this entire Earth and all on it, and possibly more. Do you and other's truly want me to prove my TOE idea as being really true? But also: Questions: Are at least some black holes in this universe due to a species who were trying to discern what 'gravity' truly was, came up with a test to do so, were successful, but the black hole generated (to prove what gravity truly was) self fed itself and wiped them and at least their entire planet out? What species might have existed where a black hole now resides? (Since all of life itself is ultimately meaningless in the grand of scheme of things anyway, do the gravity test and see what occurs?) * Added note: Suggestion: 'IF' society did not want to do the gravity test, one suggestion might be to at least create a model as if it were true, then see how that model matches with observations and predictions. It might be possible to discern the theory of everything without actually generating a gravitational black hole (which would definitely prove the TOE idea as being really true).

Poppycock - see a doctor

What is your suggestion exactly here?

Do not throw away the human characteristics, do not transplant characteristics across continents. Use science to manage the limitations of indigenous sovereignty.@@SEMF

@@the_eternal_student Why are continents the relevant lines that shouldn't be crossed? Seems arbitrary that geography dictates human activity when humans have transcended many evolved barriers.

@@SEMF Let us know if you find any Angle or West German scientists working on the same on problems as Michael, particularly if they are seeking to develop the human tribes from self -destruction.

@@the_eternal_student Can you clarify your comment?

This is a very thoughtful comment! We would welcome such contributions in our community. You can join simply by following this link: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

What would be the mechanism in that case?

@@SEMF Our Entire self I would imagine. The Whole. Id say it's every fibre of our being hence u can cut the planera in a million peices and all still develop the whole planera perfectly or the axolotl regenerating everything including half their brain. . (I personally own 6 axolotls for 7 yrs and have bred hundreds) I've followed u Alison Mcdowell and others for years and years.... to learn the hows and the whys. I hope u have a wonderful day.

@@corineskipper1919 Axolotls are so cute! How was that experience? Maybe you would like to share it with the SEMF community? You can join here for free in a couple of steps: semf.org.es/participate/join.html

@@SEMF Thanks so much for the invite. I joined. Ur greatly appreciated.

@@corineskipper1919 Great to hear!

What does God have to do with any of Michael Levin's work?

Could be?

What's the alternative?

Superficial concerns.

​@@0ptimal💯💯. But the world is superficial 🥹

0.75 speed. Period. Some of the research shown is almost ten years old. There are older sources discussing them in more detail. And you can rewind as many times as you need. Stop complaining please, if can't contribute...