C. Brandon Ogbunu on Epistasis and The Primacy of Context in Complex Systems

Explore the primacy of context in complex systems through this illuminating talk by C. Brandon Ogbunu at the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into the interconnectedness of various fields, from evolutionary biology to linguistics, as Ogbunu discusses how environment shapes outcomes in complex systems. Discover insights on epistasis, protein folding, HIV evolution, and the constraints of history. Learn about using word games to teach evolutionary theory concepts and the relationship between human artists, algorithms, and regulation. Gain a deeper understanding of the value of surprise in scientific discovery, the challenges of effective science communication, and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex problems. Examine the role of context in shaping educational and economic opportunities, microbial interactions, and human perception. This wide-ranging discussion touches on fundamental theories of intelligence, developmental bias in evolution, the adjacent possible, and the fitness seascape, offering a comprehensive exploration of complexity science and its applications across diverse domains.

Intro
Welcome
Biography
John Maynard Smith
Fundamental Theory of Intelligence
Developmental Bias in Evolution
The adjacent possible
The fitness seascape
Improving the way we talk about science
Stress training for the biosphere
Origins of life
Deconstructing higherorder interactions
Nonlinear interactions
Different explanatory aesthetics
Moral arcs to the universe
Making the road smoother