In this episode I want to introduce you to someone.  Actually, this someone is a thing, and this thing wiggled its way through life between two to four billion years ago. Listener, meet LUCA. Your Last Universal Common Ancestor. LUCA, meet your descendant.   For show notes and more, please visit https://EvolutionTalk.com Written, Produced, & Narrated by: Rick Coste

Meet LUCA

Everything you wanted to know about evolution by natural selection in short, easy to digest, episodes.  Hosted, and produced by writer Rick Coste.

Natural Sciences

Science & Medicine

History

Society & Culture

Science

            What if consciousness, much like the architectural 'spandrels' we talked about before, isn't actually crucial to our survival? Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin argued that some traits might just be byproducts, not directly selected for their utility. We'll unravel this thread by retracing the steps of René Descartes on a cold night in 1619 when he conceived ideas that challenged our understanding of reality. Was his revelation in a cozy 'oven' room the birth of modern philosophy, or a deeper insight into the illusions crafted by our own minds? Descartes' meditations prompted us to doubt our senses and the very nature of reality, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, our lives are nothing but elaborate deceptions.  Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!               Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode  Ghost by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Steppin Into by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Lilywhite by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com 

The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 3

Do our thoughts serve a purpose, or are they just a byproduct of something deeper? Consciousness studies bridge the realms of philosophy and science. Are we truly aware, or is it all just an illusion? Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode  Horn Haze by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Gentle Heart by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Grebe by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com 

The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 2

             In this episode, we delve into the mysterious world of consciousness, a mystery that resides within the depths of our minds. We'll explore the physical and philosophical theories of consciousness, from the brain's intricate processes to the elusive concept of qualia.               Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode  Caterpillar Tunnel by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Netherland by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Dark Water by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com  Kitten by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Twinkle Toes by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com 

The Evolution of Consciousness - Part 1

In this episode, we dive deep into the astounding journey of technological evolution, from the Wright brothers' inaugural flight to humanity's giant leap on the moon, and onto the revolutionary frontiers of AI with ChatGPT. Let's contemplate AI's potential to become a new form of life, pondering its future impacts and the ethical dilemmas it presents.  Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Figure & Open AI Collaboration: Video on YouTube Music in this Episode  All music AI generated from Suno 

AI - The Next Step

I have some exciting news about the show. In addition to this podcast, which will continue with the help of our patrons at Patreon, I am going to produce a YouTube video show. This won’t be the audio from the podcast. Instead, it will be an extension of the podcast as a platform for me to continue to educate folks about evolution by natural selection. I’ll host both the video channel and the podcast. The channel will introduce new topics and cover some familiar ground in different ways. Evolution Talk Youtube Channel Patreon Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Meet LUCA

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