Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Michael Levin is a biologist at Tufts University working on novel ways to understand and control complex pattern formation in biological systems. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Michael's Twitter: twitter.com/drmichaellevin
Michael's Website: drmichaellevin.org
Michael's Papers:
Biological Robots: arxiv.org/abs/2207.00880
Synthetic Organisms: tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19420889.2021.2005863
Limb Regeneration: science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj2164

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast
Full episodes playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
Clips playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:40 - Embryogenesis
9:08 - Xenobots: biological robots
22:55 - Sense of self
32:26 - Multi-scale competency architecture
43:57 - Free will
53:27 - Bioelectricity
1:06:44 - Planaria
1:18:33 - Building xenobots
1:42:08 - Unconventional cognition
2:06:39 - Origin of evolution
2:13:41 - Synthetic organisms
2:20:27 - Regenerative medicine
2:24:13 - Cancer suppression
2:28:15 - Viruses
2:33:28 - Cognitive light cones
2:38:03 - Advice for young people
2:42:47 - Death
2:52:17 - Meaning of life

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