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Michael Levin is coming close to the positions of both Humberto Maturana (autopoiesis) and of Nick Lane (proton pumping). Autopoiesis is not an easy set of con
by robwwilliams 2y ago
Michael Levin is coming close to the positions of both Humberto Maturana (autopoiesis) and of Nick Lane (proton pumping).
Autopoiesis is not an easy set of concepts but one of the ideas is that details of structure are much less important that preservation of relationships that allow an entity to replenish its own constituents. Planarian are damn adaptable, but this is hardly news.
Nick Lane emphasizes that DNA is subsidiary to bioenergetics and “proton pumping” across membranes. His recent book “Transformer” focuses on the Kreb’s cycle and mitochondria as the crux of life (and autopoiesis, although he does not use this term).
Lane is extremely readable. Maturana is almost inscrutable.
I enjoined the target article, but am not comfortable boiling down development to “bioelectrics”. A complementary perspective but I do not think this will get us farther than good old developmental molecular biology.
- _zamorano_ 2y agoLane has spoiled essay for me. I've read all his books and he's in the right place on the readability-complexity spectrum for my case. I can't find any other author, on any other field, I can learn so much from without being actual work.
- achillesheels 2y agoI disagree. An electromagnetic paradigm of cell life is critical to understanding predictive molecular dynamics, particularly where cellular neural recruitment is concerned. Moving passed mass and unto the mathematical perfection of electromagnetic radiation - as idealized as realized in the electrical engineering sciences - demonstrates its exaltedness in theoretical application.