“One of the worst things that slows down progress is the concept of 'emergence.'”
This week on 632nm, @drmichaellevin (@TuftsUniversity) argues that the concept of emergence can hold science back by treating unexpected biological behavior as an explanation rather than something to investigate.
“Emergence just means surprise... You didn’t see it coming.”
If we call something “emergent,” we still need to explain why this behavior emerged instead of another. The goal should be to understand the underlying patterns well enough to predict and control them.
We discuss how this perspective could reshape biology, our understanding of intelligence, and AI.
Full episode on X and YouTube (see comment).
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Platonic Space
03:55 - Biology in the Absence of Evolution
21:11 - Extracting Knowledge from Platonic Space
37:04 - Development and Loss Functions
50:09 - Investigating Layers of Control
55:35 - Is Computer Science Misleading Our Understanding of Minds?
58:14 - Bioelectric Patterns and Drug Discovery
1:04:07 - How to Build a Predictive Developmental Model
1:13:20 - Levin’s Top Books, Thoughts on Collective Existence
1:18:00 - Questions that Keep Michael Up at Night
1:22:32 - How Does Levin Interact with AI?
If money wasn’t a problem, I’d probably spend my whole life studying.
A master’s in philosophy, then astrophysics, physics, ancient history, psychology… Whatever makes me understand this weird existence a little better.
Not for a career, not for a degree.
Just because there’s so much to know and one lifetime already feels too short.
BREAKING NEWS
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2026 #NobelPrize in Physics to Francis Halzen “for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.”
Officially, every viral AI influencer was made on Higgsfield.
Make one with your face or from scratch. Then jump on viral trends with Genjutsu.
Try up to 5 generations free.
Available now in Higgsfield and via ChatGPT Extension.
Credits: @JeanPhilMadame
120K Followers 6K Followingdecompiling reality; reconstructing real world events from public data. experimenting with vfx, sensing & world models. https://t.co/O19H0QHsGW
3K Followers 2K FollowingBuilding profitable AI SaaS in public
https://t.co/9N6OAcmsPr • AI search visibility
https://t.co/PZN309nKtB • Reddit & X customer leads
7K Followers 7K FollowingHelping solopreneurs create profitable online courses faster with AI and no-code solutions. I’ll help you simplify the process, and focus on delivering value.
628 Followers 7K FollowingTarot / Oracle Reader LightWorker. Spiritual Advisor. Readings Are Delivered Same Day. DM TO BOOK A READING AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE. You can DM to make tips.
79K Followers 681 FollowingAll of the highs. None of the lows. Home to the craziest, smartest, and most unbelievable moments in sports.
Powered by @investedhq
125 Followers 754 FollowingProverbs 19:17 says Whoever favors (or is kind or generous or in anyway good, giving) to the poor lends to God and He will repay it
11K Followers 9K FollowingKrazy Club CEO/Founder.🧙♂️A fun adult activities & positive advocacy startup. Online & local. Krazy Club is co-ed, must be 21+. It’s free. You’re welcome.🤪
15K Followers 328 FollowingCo-founder and CEO at @ElorianAI.
Ex (director) at Google DeepMind after 12y.
Gemini Data Area Lead.
Now building at the visual frontier.
戴明博
57K Followers 740 FollowingE20 Janta Party | E20 Janta Party Fighting for every citizen’s right to buy 100% pure petrol. Let consumers decide. Managed by : Volunteers
56K Followers 0 Followingتمكين القيادات الواعدة من الجامعيين والجامعيات في السعودية Empowering high-potential university students in KSA [email protected]
92K Followers 369 FollowingWhere the world’s most ambitious founders start.
Apply to join: https://t.co/wCIu6RUpLa
($150k funding upfront, 3mo in SF + 1 year of dedicated space)
26K Followers 451 FollowingI am building some stuff :)
🦞 https://t.co/MXr2BQ88Ud — Agentic Social Media Scheduler $300k/m
🦀 https://t.co/lYOh0vzQ1M — Free forever MCP marketing playbook
3K Followers 240 FollowingExistential Hope is a program by @foresightinst for thinking big about what positive futures are possible with science and tech.
67K Followers 2K FollowingShipping like a machine while I travel the world 🌍
👀 https://t.co/izXGPE0Pte $45K/mo
🔥 https://t.co/myyLdxW71O $22K/mo
🤖 https://t.co/VrHuzoNM9B $13K/mo
🚀 https://t.co/5fSvUf0gY7 $38K
463K Followers 0 FollowingA community supported research lab - exploring new mediums of thought and amplifying the imaginative powers of the human species.
16K Followers 377 FollowingCo-founder & CEO of @brilliantorg. Building better ways to learn in the age of AI. Writing about learning, parenting, and the systems shaping childhood.