ModernHealthspan

“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?

Here at Harvard Medical School with @davidSinclair celebrating the 25th anniversary of his lab! thank you, david for your brilliant work on age rehearsal!

In vivo partial reprogramming using small molecules proved ineffective at low doses, while high doses actually accelerated aging. Key manifestations included significant weight loss and toxic effects such as severe lipid droplet accumulation and mitochondrial stress [Mitchell W, de Magalhães CG, Tyshkovskiy A, et al. In Vivo Chemical Reprogramming Is Associated With a Toxic Accumulation of Lipid Droplets Hindering Rejuvenation. Aging Cell. 2026 Feb;25(2):e70390. doi: 10.1111/acel.70390.].

Our lab’s v2 in vivo age-restoration technology is fundamentally different from the v1 technology now in human trials. We’ll reveal it publicly at @ARDD_Meeting: Chris Petty, Thurs 1:30 p.m. ET, and me, Sat 6 p.m. ET

If you don’t know Michael Levin’s work, you should. One of the greatest thinkers of our time He studies bioinformation & makes new living things such as Xenobots to understand how cells know what organ to make and when to stop growing 🫀🧠

I’m incredibly proud & excited to finally share what we’ve been building for the past 3 years… Lifespan.com is now live 🚀 In a world of conflicting health advice, how can anyone distinguish between what’s supported by science and what’s just opinion? I wanted to build something new. A place where scientists, engineers, industry leaders, and the public come together, where people can understand what the science actually says, and where we move healthcare beyond treating sickness toward extending healthy lifespan well beyond what’s currently possible. Explore the new Lifespan Magazine. Watch the Lifespan show. Ask scientists questions. Join a global community. And help support research and the next generation of scientists working to extend healthy human lifespan. I believe we’re at the beginning of a revolution in our understanding of human aging, and perhaps one day, our ability to change it. I want everyone to be part of it. Built by scientists. Built for you. Lifespan.com Life’s too short. Let’s change that, together! 👊 —— Note: The views of Lifespan & its team are their own & do not represent the views of Harvard, Harvard Medical School, or their affiliates✌️