Sara Imari Walker
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
A Sara Imari Walker is a person.
- Context:
- She can be known for her contributions to theoretical physics and astrobiology.
- She can (typically) conduct research on origins of life and complex systems at Arizona State University.
- She can (often) apply assembly theory to understand the emergence of biological complexity and evolution.
- She can range from being a member of NASA Astrobiology Institute to a board member of Blue Marble Space.
- She can lead interdisciplinary research that bridges physics and biology.
- She can actively participate in science communication through platforms like Through The Wormhole and Science Friday.
- She can collaborate with other researchers to explore astrobiology and develop new experimental approaches.
- ...
- Example(s):
- an Astrobiology researcher who explores how life can originate and evolve on different planets.
- a Theoretical Physics expert who developed assembly theory to quantify the complexity of biological molecules.
- a Science Communicator who engages the public through various media appearances, including Through The Wormhole.
- ...
- Counter-Example(s):
- ...
- See: Theoretical Physics, Through The Wormhole, Astrobiology, Abiogenesis, Technosphere.
References
2024
- (Walker & Fridman, 2024) ⇒ Sara Walker, and Lex Fridman. (2024). "Sara Walker: Physics of Life, Time, Complexity, and Aliens.” Lex Fridman Podcast #433. YouTube.
- NOTES:
- Background: Sara Imari Walker is an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist focused on the origin and evolution of life, and the search for alien life.
- Challenging Traditional Views: She questions the classical distinction between materialists and vitalists, highlighting the inadequacy of current life definitions.
- Examples of Limitations: Uses viruses and artificial constructs to demonstrate the shortcomings of traditional life definitions.
- New Perspective on Life: Proposes understanding life as a material property influenced by universal principles.
- Systemic View: Advocates for viewing life through ecological and systemic interactions, not just isolated properties.
- Complexity and Information Flow: Emphasizes the importance of complexity and information flow within living systems.
- Evolutionary Dynamics: Questions the completeness of classical Darwinian evolution in explaining life's evolution.
- The Modern Technosphere: Describes the technosphere as the largest object in time in the universe that we know about.
- Technology as Evolution: Suggests modern technology is a continuation of life’s evolutionary process, deeply integrated into life's systemic structure.
- Historical Contingency: Stresses the importance of considering historical contingency and causal structures for a deeper understanding of life.
- Emergent Properties and Technology: Proposes a new direction for life studies focusing on emergent properties and technological integration.
- Philosophical Approach: Encourages a broader, more integrated philosophical approach to studying life, considering both material and non-material aspects.
- NOTES:
2024
- (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Imari_Walker Retrieved:2024-6-14.
- Sara Imari Walker is an American theoretical physicist and astrobiologist with research interests in the origins of life, astrobiology, physics of life, emergence, complex and dynamical systems, and artificial life.[1][2] Walker is deputy director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University (ASU), associate director of the ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems and an associate professor at ASU. She is a co-founder of the astrobiology social network SAGANet, and on the board of directors for Blue Marble Space, a nonprofit education and science organization.[1] As a science communicator, she is a frequent guest on podcasts and series, such as Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.