Beyond the Genetic Superman: Nietzsche, DNA, and the Myth of Human Perfection
Can biology really bring us closer to the idea of the superhuman?…
Can you be aware of nothing? The rare sleep experience scientists are trying to understand
Minimal forms of consciousness, like that displayed by objectless sleep experiences, can pave the way to refine our theories of consciousness.…
Maxwell’s demon, thermal death, and the stubbornness of being
Schrödinger, long before any knowledge of DNA, posited an intriguing thesis: some form of order must confront the chaos and uncertainty inherent in entropy. Let us begin by reviewing some basic concepts.…
How does consciousness work? Duelling scientists tested two big theories but found no winner
We don’t yet know whether it will yield to the current methods of consciousness science, or whether it requires a revolution in our concepts or methods…
What Is Life? Negative Entropy and the Gap Between Physics and Biology
Using Schrödinger's framework, the primary, albeit inconclusive, observation is that life is an act of resistance to decay and uncertainty…
Can animals make art?
A key question is whether there’s any animal art that doesn’t have to do with mating and instead expresses something more complex or sentimental…
Computo ergo sum: An Elemental Cognition on Living Systems
The subject affirms itself and possesses the capacity for self-transcendence. This "auto-egocentrism" is a defining trait of living beings…
The uncanny philosophy of slime mold structure and behavior
As we humans behave as beasts, some tiny organisms behave very humanly, objectifying their surroundings with the primitive means at hand…
Physics Nobel awarded to neural network pioneers who laid foundations for AI
John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work on neural networks, forming the foundation of modern AI.…
Can humanity address climate change without believing it? Medical history suggests it is possible
Strange as it may seem, early germ theorists could tell us a lot about today’s attitudes toward climate change.…