Episode
#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
4:12:27
Published: Fri Mar 11 2022
Description
Lee Cronin is a chemist at the University of Glasgow. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Paperspace: https://gradient.run/lex to get $15 credit - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - Notion: https://notion.com/startups to get up to $1000 off team plan - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off premium - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off EPISODE LINKS: Lee's Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecronin Lee's Website: https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/ Chemify's Website: https://chemify.io PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (08:31) - Life and chemistry (21:56) - Self-replicating molecules (32:19) - Origin of life (48:45) - Life on Mars (53:49) - Aliens (1:00:30) - Origin of life continued (1:07:24) - Fermi Paradox (1:17:04) - UFOs (1:25:25) - Science and authority (1:31:28) - Pickle experiment (1:34:23) - Assembly theory (2:17:22) - Free will (2:28:37) - Cellular automata (2:52:08) - Chemputation (3:09:23) - Universal programming language for chemistry (3:22:34) - Chemputer safety (3:35:15) - Automated engineering of nanomaterials (3:44:15) - Consciousness (3:53:48) - Joscha Bach (4:05:04) - Meaning of life
Chapters
The podcast host expresses gratitude for his supporters and mentions sponsorship from Paperspace Gradient, which offers a platform for machine learning, and Athletic Greens, which offers an all-in-one daily drink for better health and performance.
00:00 - 05:03 (05:03)
Summary
The podcast host expresses gratitude for his supporters and mentions sponsorship from Paperspace Gradient, which offers a platform for machine learning, and Athletic Greens, which offers an all-in-one daily drink for better health and performance.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The chemistry behind the simplistic life that first inhabited the Earth 4.5 billion years ago is still mostly unknown, despite the fact that single cell organisms have existed on Earth for around 80% of its lifetime.
05:05 - 11:22 (06:16)
Summary
The chemistry behind the simplistic life that first inhabited the Earth 4.5 billion years ago is still mostly unknown, despite the fact that single cell organisms have existed on Earth for around 80% of its lifetime.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Bonds play a crucial role in the emergence of life, multicellularity, and information processing.
11:22 - 16:35 (05:13)
Summary
Bonds play a crucial role in the emergence of life, multicellularity, and information processing. The ability of atoms to combine and form different molecules with distinct identities and interactions are essential in the development of life as we know it.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The relative size of ego to the other horses pulling at you is more important than the absolute size of ego.
16:35 - 20:57 (04:21)
Summary
The relative size of ego to the other horses pulling at you is more important than the absolute size of ego. Existence may appear to be the default, but the universe is complex and selection happens in intricate ways.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Chemists are fascinated by the idea of a minimal machine that can get structured randomly to build more complex molecules, similar to the concept of the smallest von Neumann constructor.
20:57 - 29:27 (08:30)
Summary
Chemists are fascinated by the idea of a minimal machine that can get structured randomly to build more complex molecules, similar to the concept of the smallest von Neumann constructor. As molecules gain more bonds and functions, they become capable of interacting with other molecules and redirecting them.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The ribosome is the fundamental machine responsible for every cell on earth, but it didn't evolve in a vacuum, and selection can occur without it.
29:27 - 40:31 (11:03)
Summary
The ribosome is the fundamental machine responsible for every cell on earth, but it didn't evolve in a vacuum, and selection can occur without it. The quest to find the origin of life is crucial, and we should consider making origin of life bombs to identify dead planets and make them alive.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea of engineering a new type of life form that could possibly take CO2 out of the atmosphere is a thought experiment that brings up both potential benefits and risks.
40:31 - 48:41 (08:10)
Summary
The idea of engineering a new type of life form that could possibly take CO2 out of the atmosphere is a thought experiment that brings up both potential benefits and risks. While the research behind the origin of life and artificial life is still controversial, the in-depth understanding of these phenomena could prove crucial for humanity's future.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The universe should be teaming with life, and statistically speaking, it's likely we'll find evidence of life on Mars - either from our own contamination or the earliest remnants of life.
48:41 - 57:47 (09:05)
Summary
The universe should be teaming with life, and statistically speaking, it's likely we'll find evidence of life on Mars - either from our own contamination or the earliest remnants of life.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The likelihood of finding life in the universe is high, particularly if we look for rocky worlds similar to Earth in the habitable zone.
57:47 - 1:03:43 (05:56)
Summary
The likelihood of finding life in the universe is high, particularly if we look for rocky worlds similar to Earth in the habitable zone. However, the origin of life on Earth was dependent on the availability of certain chemistry.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Due to our limited understanding of the physics that gave rise to life, the causal chains and information propagation throughout the universe, we may not even recognize aliens.
1:03:43 - 1:11:27 (07:43)
Summary
Due to our limited understanding of the physics that gave rise to life, the causal chains and information propagation throughout the universe, we may not even recognize aliens. It's counterintuitive to think that life on other planets could be very different from life on earth, but the scope for divergence is vast.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Due to our limitations in understanding the universe and life, it would be counterproductive for intelligent alien species to interact with the human race.
1:11:27 - 1:18:37 (07:09)
Summary
Due to our limitations in understanding the universe and life, it would be counterproductive for intelligent alien species to interact with the human race. However, there is still hope for interaction as humans possess a desire to engage even with those who have a lower level of comprehension.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, there is a small chance that extraterrestrial life exists and could potentially be discovered as we explore the universe.
1:18:37 - 1:26:07 (07:29)
Summary
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, there is a small chance that extraterrestrial life exists and could potentially be discovered as we explore the universe.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how good ideas like social justice can be misused by people with egos, as well as the misconception that science is a rigid and closed-minded field that dismisses new and unconventional ideas.
1:26:07 - 1:31:40 (05:33)
Summary
The speaker discusses how good ideas like social justice can be misused by people with egos, as well as the misconception that science is a rigid and closed-minded field that dismisses new and unconventional ideas.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Assembly theory suggests that objects with a larger number of unsymmetrical parts created by an evolutionary or information process represent life creation.
1:31:41 - 1:39:07 (07:25)
Summary
Assembly theory suggests that objects with a larger number of unsymmetrical parts created by an evolutionary or information process represent life creation. NASA's newest drone will prove instrumental in discovering more about the Titan, thanks to its nuclear battery and mass spectrometer.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Using assembly theory, we can define life by finding an object that has a large number of parts and determine if it has been produced by an informational process.
1:39:07 - 1:47:21 (08:14)
Summary
Using assembly theory, we can define life by finding an object that has a large number of parts and determine if it has been produced by an informational process. This applies to both molecules and complex objects like cars and books.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of assembly theory tells us that when we go from atoms to molecules, we can assign different levels of objects and think about things in different ways.
1:47:21 - 1:52:09 (04:47)
Summary
The concept of assembly theory tells us that when we go from atoms to molecules, we can assign different levels of objects and think about things in different ways. Assembly theory also helps explain the idea of weak emergence, or systems that have properties that can't be explained by looking at the individual components.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The assembly equation involves calculating the sum of e to the power of the assembly index for molecule i times the number of copies of the molecule, allowing identification of the assembly number.
1:52:09 - 1:57:00 (04:50)
Summary
The assembly equation involves calculating the sum of e to the power of the assembly index for molecule i times the number of copies of the molecule, allowing identification of the assembly number. While determining an individual's assembly index depends on their molecular makeup, the number of identical molecules and their assembly number can be calculated for larger systems, like sand.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of time is hard to understand because we assume it's fundamental to our daily lives, but some theories suggest it's emergent from certain processes, like in molecules.
1:57:00 - 2:03:49 (06:49)
Summary
The concept of time is hard to understand because we assume it's fundamental to our daily lives, but some theories suggest it's emergent from certain processes, like in molecules. It challenges the idea that time can go backwards and raises questions about memory's relationship with time.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of time as fundamental implies that the universe constantly increases in novelty.
2:03:49 - 2:08:41 (04:52)
Summary
The concept of time as fundamental implies that the universe constantly increases in novelty. The second law follows naturally from the fact that there are more available states in the universe as time progresses.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the concept of time as a fundamental aspect versus an emergent property is discussed, with arguments for both perspectives explored.
2:08:41 - 2:13:07 (04:25)
Summary
In this podcast, the concept of time as a fundamental aspect versus an emergent property is discussed, with arguments for both perspectives explored.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Guest Melanie Mitchell explains how assembly theory allows us to compare the complexity of various domains from molecules to music, and how it ties into Nietzsche's understanding of limited freedom.
2:13:07 - 2:22:44 (09:37)
Summary
Guest Melanie Mitchell explains how assembly theory allows us to compare the complexity of various domains from molecules to music, and how it ties into Nietzsche's understanding of limited freedom.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The debate over free will is interesting because some people outsource their free will to their unconscious while others overthink it in the conscious brain.
2:22:44 - 2:29:13 (06:29)
Summary
The debate over free will is interesting because some people outsource their free will to their unconscious while others overthink it in the conscious brain. The question about how life, intelligence, consciousness, and free will emerge ultimately boils down to the same mechanics.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the speaker talks about the fun and beauty of playing with cellular automata and creating chemical robots that play games like Hex.
2:29:13 - 2:32:42 (03:29)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker talks about the fun and beauty of playing with cellular automata and creating chemical robots that play games like Hex. They also recount their experience of their scientific group rejecting the idea of chemical robots playing Chess.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
2 robotic systems randomly explore chemical space and publish the results on Twitter.
2:32:42 - 2:36:36 (03:53)
Summary
2 robotic systems randomly explore chemical space and publish the results on Twitter. They then use the outcomes to play the game of Hex with each other, leading to the discovery of new reactions.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction offers a unique way of making chemical computers that could potentially solve problems faster than traditional silicon computers.
2:36:36 - 2:45:21 (08:45)
Summary
The Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction offers a unique way of making chemical computers that could potentially solve problems faster than traditional silicon computers. The chemical computer essentially consists of a 49-cell grid, with 49 chem bits, all analogous to an analog computer but being read out discreetly.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Cellular automata are elegant, simple rules that can create complex systems on a grid.
2:45:21 - 2:49:30 (04:08)
Summary
Cellular automata are elegant, simple rules that can create complex systems on a grid. While they may not exist in reality, they are now part of computer memory.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the concept of state machines and chemputation is discussed, exploring the possibility of building a state machine to make any molecule physically in the laboratory.
2:49:30 - 2:56:03 (06:33)
Summary
In this episode, the concept of state machines and chemputation is discussed, exploring the possibility of building a state machine to make any molecule physically in the laboratory.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The founder of OpenAI, Dr. Sam Altman, discusses his journey from computer programming and AI to starting a company that builds robots that 3D print and perform chemical reactions.
2:56:03 - 3:01:21 (05:17)
Summary
The founder of OpenAI, Dr. Sam Altman, discusses his journey from computer programming and AI to starting a company that builds robots that 3D print and perform chemical reactions.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In a recent scientific paper, natural language processing was used to extract details about chemical reactions and the compounds involved, which were then used to create a program in a chemical language that could be interpreted by a chemical computer to produce a state machine that could turn molecules from one state to another.
3:01:21 - 3:09:56 (08:35)
Summary
In a recent scientific paper, natural language processing was used to extract details about chemical reactions and the compounds involved, which were then used to create a program in a chemical language that could be interpreted by a chemical computer to produce a state machine that could turn molecules from one state to another. The technology has the potential to revolutionize how we develop new drugs with only a few hundred million molecules available for use.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Chemist Lee Cronin introduces the newly created software, “So Ky”, a programming language designed for chemistry with four loops and conditional statements.
3:09:56 - 3:14:15 (04:19)
Summary
Chemist Lee Cronin introduces the newly created software, “So Ky”, a programming language designed for chemistry with four loops and conditional statements. Cronin discusses his efforts to create a universal language for chemistry that can automate experimentation.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Language models like transformer-based models can generate deep representations of language space and may be used to create programs that operate on computers.
3:14:15 - 3:22:11 (07:55)
Summary
Language models like transformer-based models can generate deep representations of language space and may be used to create programs that operate on computers. However, the biggest challenge lies in the pipeline from interpreting the initial text to generating the program and running it in the hardware.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The advancement in drug personalization and affordability will improve access to medicine for people.
3:22:11 - 3:27:57 (05:45)
Summary
The advancement in drug personalization and affordability will improve access to medicine for people. This will also help in democratizing drugs and enable chemists to become more productive in lab.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The future of computing and KyDLs allow for mining and contact tracing in smarter and better ways.
3:27:57 - 3:35:58 (08:00)
Summary
The future of computing and KyDLs allow for mining and contact tracing in smarter and better ways. The use of cannabis THC for people with epilepsy is a subject of societal discussion to improve the quality of life for such people.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses the technology behind robots that use genetic algorithms to refine the colors of nanoparticals when gold is added to a liquid solution.
3:35:58 - 3:40:36 (04:38)
Summary
This podcast discusses the technology behind robots that use genetic algorithms to refine the colors of nanoparticals when gold is added to a liquid solution. It also touches on the difficulties of scientific theory and convincing skeptical peers.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conversation discusses the search for alien life and the possibility of exploring other planets to discover life.
3:40:36 - 3:47:16 (06:39)
Summary
The conversation discusses the search for alien life and the possibility of exploring other planets to discover life. They also touch on the topic of consciousness and how it relates to the uniqueness of the human experience.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The definition of intelligence is a mix of wit, knowledge, emotional intelligence, and the ability to play the game of human civilization.
3:47:16 - 3:54:56 (07:39)
Summary
The definition of intelligence is a mix of wit, knowledge, emotional intelligence, and the ability to play the game of human civilization.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The structure of the universe could be generated by patterns of nonexistence in all possible automata, while also being capable of giving rise to Turing machines and digital technology.
3:54:56 - 3:59:28 (04:32)
Summary
The structure of the universe could be generated by patterns of nonexistence in all possible automata, while also being capable of giving rise to Turing machines and digital technology.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The universe is intrinsically asymmetric and is generating novelty and evolution over time, leading to the possibility of perpetual motion within certain bounds.
3:59:28 - 4:05:01 (05:32)
Summary
The universe is intrinsically asymmetric and is generating novelty and evolution over time, leading to the possibility of perpetual motion within certain bounds. Studying dark energy can provide insight into the mechanics of reality beyond just time.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The universe could be seen as a computing system that is infinitely creative, exploring all possible configurations.
4:05:01 - 4:11:22 (06:20)
Summary
The universe could be seen as a computing system that is infinitely creative, exploring all possible configurations. Despite not knowing the rules governing the universe's contemplation of itself, this exploration continues through the assembly of objects in space and time.
Episode#269 – Lee Cronin: Origin of Life, Aliens, Complexity, and Consciousness
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman speaks with Lee Cronin about the origins of life, his chemical evolution theory, and the philosophy of consciousness.
4:11:22 - 4:13:03 (01:41)
Summary
Lex Fridman speaks with Lee Cronin about the origins of life, his chemical evolution theory, and the philosophy of consciousness.