Richard A. Watson's New Theory of Life and Mind as a Song
The Meaning Code · Karen Wong
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Show Notes
Prof. Richard A. Watson Institute for Life Sciences/ Department of Computer Science (Agents, Interaction and Complexity group), University of Southampton "Scientist, academic lecturer, author and…a human - doing their best to live a life well. Research expertise links evolutionary biology and computer science with a desire for personal and societal well-being, investigating big questions about life, learning, evolution, cognition and love."
Timestamps follow these links to Richard's theory set forth in five episodes:
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/zdmY6q2ZWm8?si=EH8J2mUnVPq26SB-
Episode 2: https://youtu.be/8B9eMUvFQc0?si=_ES6UgQEUE8uVDmR
Episode 3: https://youtu.be/krQoXA0pwV0?si=kI3xqJ0t_Z_P-65O
Episode 4: https://youtu.be/B8RnbHWv6n8?si=ta34RkP29REncdtE
Episode 5: https://youtu.be/rbYaM-RTpic?si=TrcApNydRI_6WW1f
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:20 Richard's background.
02:18. The algorithm of evolution by natural selection ca
nnot explain the origin of life, the evolution of evolvability, and the transitions in individuality.
16:00 Dominance (serving the focal point) produces unity in art.
18:18 The physics of guitar strings, frequency, vibrations and the synchronized movement of the molecules.
23:00 The role of context and environment in shaping the dynamics of living systems. The role of tension and stress in living systems
31:00 Placebo and Healing
36:00 Exploring the idea of life as a song, discussing how stress and tension can lead to transformation and growth, and creativity in natural selection.
40:30 The Creative Engine of Evolution, The tension between optimizing and harmonizing within a structure of possibility space.
57:37 Viscoelastic Connections in Natural Induction Networks
1:00:00 The connection between learning and the adjustment of relationships in a system
1:10:15 The possibility of resonance and harmonic relationships in living systems suggests a top-down causation story and heritability of a dynamical process.
1:26:17 The shape and form of an organism resonates with the song that the genes were singing.
1:33:06 A calculus that links shape, form, geometry, computation, optimization, and learning using the language of songs and harmonies.