Show notes
In this episode, developmental biologist Michael Levin and cognitive scientist Anna Ciaunica examine how cellular intelligence challenges our traditional understanding of consciousness. They explore how memory, embodiment, and our interactions with others fundamentally shape the self.As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toeA huge thank you to Dina Rudick, a four-time Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker / journalist, who expertly aided this production at the last minute. You can find more about her work at https://www.dinarudick.com. Definitely check out her films.Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.comListen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SpotifyTOELinks Mentioned:Michael Levin’s website: https://drmichaellevin.org/Anna Ciaunica’s website: https://annaciaunica.fr/Curt’s previous talk with Michael: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8iFtaltX-s&t=3924s&ab_channel=CurtJaimungalTimestamps:00:00 – Opening01:42 – The Biggest Myths in Biology and Neuroscience03:18 – Anna’s Take on How Self Emerges from “Bunches of Cells”04:10 – Critique of Adult-Centric Perspectives05:15 – Dropping Old Conceptual “Epicycles”07:45 – Continuity from Single Cells to Human Minds09:28 – On Memory, Metaphors, and Shifting Perspectives10:46 – Bridging Disciplinary Silos & The Power of Interdisciplinarity13:04 – Development, Evolution, and Goal-Directed Systems17:05 – Expanding the Concept of “Goal-Seeking” in Biology25:12 – Depression, Body States, and Self-Regulation31:57 – Aging, Goals, and the Problem of “Having Nothing Left to Do”41:10 – Pregnancy, Immune Systems, and “Sharing a Self”51:08 – “Interconnectedness” as Fundamental to Selfhood57:56 – The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. The Agency of Thoughts1:07:00 – Rewriting “You”: Caterpillars, Butterflies, and Memory1:16:15 – Final Thoughts: The Self as an Ongoing, Embodied Process1:24:01 – Closing Remarks and Where to Find MoreBecome a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/joinTwitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurtDiscord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs#science #biology #research #scientist #consciousness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices