Michael Levin: Biology, Life, Aliens, Evolution, Embryogenesis & Xenobots | Lex Fridman Podcast #325

I have always been in awe of how much Dr. Levin reads. After browsing through pictures of his book collection on Twitter I emailed him to ask how he managed to read so quickly. Although I didn't expect a response, I was amazed not only because he responded, but also by the depth and thoroughness of his response. He obviously took a significant chunk of his valuable time to reply, and I'll never forget that feeling of being acknowledged by someone I hold in such high regard. Dr. Levin is a giant in the research community, and, perhaps more importantly, he is exceedingly kind and generous. He doesn't let his position and influence go to his head. I hope his colleagues and research assistants know how lucky they are to work with him. That would be a dream come true for me.

This is the most mind-blowing podcast I have EVER watched! Thank you Lex!

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - Henson Shaving: https://hensonshaving.com/lex and use code LEX to get 100 free blades with your razor - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off 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

This guy is mind blowing to the fullest extent possible

Yesss finally hosting this future Nobel prize winner!!!

I need a lot of time to take all this in. This was about 10 podcasts in one. Just incredible.

As a trained historian and philosopher of science, I can assure you that the work of this man will change absolutely everything.

Lex is the single indispensable podcast for me, mainly bc of the quality of guests and how astute Lex’s questions are.

It blew my mind when reading about what Dr Levin is doing in the lab and what discoveries they are making. Oh man! Science rocks!!

Listening to Michael Levin was one of the most spiritual events of my life. Specifically, when talking about the self and cellular boundaries and where selves end and how multiple cellular systems, using what he called a multiscalar competency architecture, define the "right" self boundary, is very much the way ancient esoteric spiritual writings tell of our having the boundary of self all wrong and what it truly is, which becomes the very definition of enlightenment. And even further, when he said each cell is another cell's external environment, that warped my sense of the external and revealed how plastic defined self boundary is when, just what is self and how far does it/can it go, is considered. Beyond heady! Very, very much so. Thank you, Michael, and thank you, Lex!