This video lecture by Michael Levin explores the concept of "mind blindness"—our limited understanding of diverse intelligences due to our evolutionary history and focus on specific types of minds. Levin uses the collective intelligence of cells in biological systems as a case study, demonstrating progress in communicating with this intelligence and highlighting the implications for understanding diverse forms of life, including AI and potentially extraterrestrial entities. He argues for a framework that enables ethical interaction with a wide range of beings beyond conventionally recognized intelligent life.
The transcript indicates that some patterns in biological systems, and even in simple mathematical functions, defy explanation solely through evolutionary history (genetics) and environmental factors. Levin uses the example of a simple mathematical function (z³ + 7) whose Halley plot reveals a complex, organic-looking pattern. He argues that this pattern's characteristics cannot be explained by tweaking the universe's constants or by any historical event; its complexity is inherent to the function itself. Similarly, the behavior of anthrobots—self-assembled organisms from human cells—exhibits patterns not predicted by the human genome or environmental influences. These examples suggest a broader space of possibilities beyond purely genetic or environmental determinants of form and function.
The transcript suggests a "broader space" of patterns that are not solely determined by genetics or environment. Levin uses the analogy of a mathematical function whose inherent properties generate complex patterns, independent of historical events or physical constraints. He proposes that this "space" contains patterns that give rise to diverse forms of intelligence and behavior, including those observed in biological systems. He implies that this space is rich in possibilities that are not fully captured by our current understanding of genetics, evolution, or even physics. The anthrobot example serves to illustrate that the potential for biological forms and functions is far greater than what we can derive from genetics and environment alone. The exact nature of this "broader space" remains undefined in the transcript but is presented as a realm beyond current explanatory models.
