Podcast: The Descent of Math

Our “BlueSciCon” podcast for April features a conversation with Dr. Sara Walker about her recent essay titled “The Descent of Math“.

Scientists and philosophers have often remarked that it seems incredible that we are able to understand the universe at all. Our civilization’s ability to manipulate the physical environment has allowed us to create possibilities that were never before seen in history. In her essay for FQXi’s current contest, Dr. Walker discusses the possibility that evolutionary processes tend toward producing beings that can access a greater number of physical states in the world. The development of mathematics, according to Dr. Walker, may have been a pivotal innovation that allowed humans to explore vast and previously uncharted technological possibilities. Perhaps this way of thinking may also help us to understand the origin of life?

[listen to the conversation]