Building Life from Scratch - Panel Discussion at IPFest 2019

Explore the fascinating world of synthetic biology and the origins of life in this panel discussion featuring biologist Chris Kempes, journalist Alexandra Witze, botanist David Baum, and chemist Kate Adamala. Delve into the cutting-edge approach of building new and different types of life from scratch as experts address the hotly contested question of life's origins on Earth and beyond. Discover the challenges and possibilities of creating artificial life forms, the potential for life in space, and the implications for understanding our own biosphere. Learn about the latest research in macroscopic biology, practical applications of synthetic life, and the future of super-intelligent machines. Gain insights into cultural and biological evolution, the development of a universal language for life, and the potential for predicting evolutionary paths. Engage with thought-provoking discussions on the rarity of life, technological advancements in the field, and the inspirations driving scientists to unravel the mysteries of life's beginnings.

Intro
What is your overall interest in life
Why do you do what you do
What inspires you
How rare is life
Life optimist or pessimist
Building life from scratch
What are you working on
How easy is it to form life
Do we have the technology
How did this project come to be
Large regularities of life
Macroscopic biology
Practical applications
Future of life
Super intelligent machines
Cultural and biological evolution
Predicting evolution
Developing a language