On the roles of function and selection in evolving systems

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(43)

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

Physical laws—such as the laws of motion, gravity, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics—codify general behavior varied macroscopic natural systems across space time. We propose that an additional, hitherto-unarticulated law is required to characterize familiar phenomena our complex, evolving universe. An important feature classical physics conceptual equivalence specific characteristics shared by extensive, seemingly diverse body phenomena. Identifying potential equivalencies among disparate phenomena—for example, falling apples orbiting moons or hot objects compressed springs—has been instrumental in advancing scientific understanding world through articulation nature. A pervasive wonder evolution systems, including stars, minerals, atmospheres, life. These appear be conceptually equivalent they display three notable attributes: 1) They form from numerous components have adopt combinatorially vast numbers different configurations; 2) processes exist generate 3) configurations are preferentially selected based on function. identify universal concepts selection—static persistence, dynamic novelty generation—that underpin function drive evolve exchange information between environment system. Accordingly, we a “law increasing functional information”: The system will increase (i.e., evolve) if many undergo selection for one more functions.

Language: Английский

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Ecological complexity and the biosphere: the next 30 years

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 377(1857)

Published: June 27, 2022

Global warming, habitat loss and overexploitation of limited resources are leading to alarming biodiversity declines. Ecosystems complex adaptive systems that display multiple alternative states can shift from one another in abrupt ways. Some these tipping points have been identified predicted by mathematical computational models. Moreover, scales involved potential mitigation or intervention scenarios tied particular levels complexity, cells human–environment coupled systems. In dealing with a biosphere where humans part complex, endangered ecological network, novel theoretical engineering approaches need be considered. At the centre most research efforts is biodiversity, which essential maintain community resilience ecosystem services. What done mitigate, counterbalance prevent points? Using 30-year window, we explore recent sense, preserve restore as well number proposed interventions (from afforestation bioengineering) directed mitigate reverse collapse. The year 2050 taken representative future horizon combines time scale deep changes will occur solutions might effective. This article theme issue ‘Ecological complexity biosphere: next 30 years’.

Language: Английский

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Searching for Life, Mindful of Lyfe’s Possibilities

Life, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(6), P. 783 - 783

Published: May 25, 2022

We are embarking on a new age of astrobiology, one in which numerous interplanetary missions and telescopes will be designed, built, launched with the explicit goal finding evidence for life beyond Earth. Such profound aim warrants caution responsibility when interpreting disseminating results. Scientists must take care not to overstate (or over-imply) confidence detection is lacking, or only incremental advances have been made. Recently, there has call community create standards reporting biosignatures. In this perspective, we wish highlight critical but often understated element discussion biosignatures: Life studies deeply entwined rely upon our (often preconceived) notions what is, origins life, habitability. Where biosignatures concerned, these three highly related questions frequently relegated low priority, assumed already solved irrelevant question detection. Therefore, bring fore how other major astrobiological frontiers central searching elsewhere encourage astrobiologists embrace reality that all science interrelated furthered

Language: Английский

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Cells as the first data scientists

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(199)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

The concepts that we generally associate with the field of data science are strikingly descriptive way life, in general, processes information about its environment. ‘information life cycle’, which enumerates stages treatment endeavours, also captures steps collection and handling biological systems. Similarly, ‘data–information–knowledge ecosystem’, developed to illuminate role informatics translating raw into knowledge, can be a framework for understanding how is constantly being transferred between By placing principles broader context, see activities scientists as latest development life's ongoing journey better understand predict Finally, propose frameworks used similarities differences abiotic complex evolving systems life.

Language: Английский

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Toward Network‐Based Planetary Biosignatures: Atmospheric Chemistry as Unipartite, Unweighted, Undirected Networks

Journal of Geophysical Research Planets, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 128(6)

Published: May 27, 2023

Abstract Previous examinations of astrophysical chemical reaction networks found that Earth's atmospheric network was distinct in its hierarchical organization and scale‐free nature. If unique structure is due to the coevolution between biosphere atmosphere, it may hint at a novel planetary‐scale biosignature. Here, we use updated planetary atmospheres explore their topologies using plethora diagnostic techniques from science graph theory, including global metrics, centrality community detection, cluster analysis methods. We show different bodies Solar System are one another. While find model atmosphere do not display topology, nonetheless distinguishable those other through various metrics. has most nonrandom topology all and, some more similar biological than networks. Finally, discuss how further investigations advanced representations metrics lead development network‐based biosignature applicable exoplanets.

Language: Английский

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Resurrecting Gaia: harnessing the Free Energy Principle to preserve life as we know it

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: June 15, 2023

This paper applies the Free Energy Principle (FEP) to propose that lack of action in response global ecological crisis should be considered a maladaptive symptom human activity we refer as biophilia deficiency syndrome . The is organised into four parts: characterisation natural world under Gaia Hypothesis, employment FEP description behavior self-organising systems, application understand coupling dynamics between living systems and purportedly non-living planetary processes, offering positive interventions for addressing current state this framework. For latter, emphasize importance perturbing stuck states healthy development, necessary appreciation life existing nested at multiple levels hierarchy. We development virtue accordance with practical intervention treating helping safeguard balance processes integrity depend on them, some examples what might look like practice. Overall, provides novel insights how catalyse meaningful change, proposing deliberate disruptive approach dysfunctional relationship humans rest world.

Language: Английский

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The future of intelligence in the Universe: a call for humility

International Journal of Astrobiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 22(4), P. 414 - 427

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract Recent astrophysical findings suggest that the era during which Universe is habitable has just begun. This raises question whether entire may at some point in future be filled with intelligent life. Hanson et al . (2021, The Astrophysical Journal 922 , 182) argued we can confident will, by cosmic standards, soon dominated imperialist civilizations expand rapidly, persist long and make drastic changes to volumes they control. main motivation for this ‘grabby civilizations’ hypothesis it supposedly provides a good explanation of why are so early history. In paper, criticize fails, reasons analogous notorious Doomsday argument fails. last part paper broaden our discussion argue rational assign rather low prior probability grabby hypothesis. For instance, if there any rapidly indefinitely, well not inhabit, potentially strategic reasons. Hence, call epistemic caution humility regarding long-term evolution intelligence Universe.

Language: Английский

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The Process We Call Earth: Relationships Between Dynamic Feedbacks and the Search for Gaiasignatures in a New Paradigm of Earthlikeness

Perspectives of Earth and Space Scientists, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Standard notions of an “Earthlike” planet rely solely on physical and material properties, like planetary mass, radius, surface temperature. Here, we introduce a novel, relational perspective what defines “Earthlikeness.” In our process‐based framework, rocky planets are local pockets free energy that have the potential to drive emergence dynamically persistent systems coevolve with one another. Examples phenomena include magnetic dynamos, mantle convection, tectonic regimes, deep volatile cycles, global climate feedbacks, biogeochemical biosphere. When two or more processes couple another such they gain causal efficacy over another's persistence, some degree planetary‐scale homeostasis may emerge. astrobiology, Earthlike exoplanets often considered be priority targets for search life elsewhere. We suggest framework Earthlikeness has widen space inspire novel biosignatures, “Gaiasignatures,” essential detecting exoplanetary biospheres. Additionally, view can influence development agnostic biosignatures at all scales. contrast dominant scientific perspective, which tended engender materialistic worldview, ontologies contribute understanding Earth as network systems, humanity integral part nature, in universe.

Language: Английский

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Another earth: An astronomical concept of the planet for the environmental humanities

Distinktion Journal of Social Theory, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(1), P. 17 - 36

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Since the notion of Anthropocene entered discourse environmental humanities, it has prompted multiple conceptual innovations. This paper focuses on one such case: term planetary – and adjacent genre thinking theorized by a broad range scholars. The original contribution this lies in developing an astronomical concept planet, derived from definition agreed resolution 5A 2006 International Astronomical Union, which defines planets based their dynamical context. By means philosophical interpretation definition's underlying assumptions, articulates standalone implications concept: contextualization planet expanded ecology solar system, paired with understanding as structure phase gradients historical natural kind. Furthermore, I position alongside theorizations Latour, Stengers, Clark & Szerszynski well Chakrabarty, touching upon Gaia hypothesis or geological history. Finally, encourage deeper disciplinary interaction between astronomy humanities. benefits are highlighted concluding discussion concerning multiplicity narratives applications planet.

Language: Английский

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Rebuilding the Habitable Zone from the Bottom up with Computational Zones

Astrobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 613 - 627

Published: June 1, 2024

Computation, if treated as a set of physical processes that act on information represented by states matter, encompasses biological systems, digital and other constructs may be fundamental measure living systems. The opportunity for computation, in the propagation selection-driven evolution information-carrying organic molecular structures, has been partially characterized terms planetary habitable zones (HZs) based primary conditions such temperature presence liquid water. A generalization this concept to computational (CZs) is proposed, with constraints three principal characteristics: capacity (including computation rates), energy, instantiation (or substrate, including spatial extent). CZs naturally combine traditional habitability factors, those associated function incorporate chemical milieu, nutrients free well element availability. Two example applications are presented examining thermodynamic work efficiency Landauer limit photon-driven surfaces generalized stellar energy capture structures (a.k.a. Dyson structures). It suggested involve nested or substellar objects could manifest unique observational signatures cool far-infrared emitters. While these latter scenarios entirely hypothetical, they offer useful, complementary introduction potential universality CZs.

Language: Английский

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