Scientists Levin and Strogovatz discuss their respective work on Möbius strips and the shape of brains, leading to contemplation of the fundamental questions of what form and function is, and the nature of intelligence in biological systems, whether social insects or humans, and how we learn what we learn.
They explore how the interplay of different levels of organization, from genes up to populations, can help understand the world, and discuss the role of curiosity in driving scientific inquiry.
They also consider the role of geometry in this context and whether human perception of geometry is learned or innate, and the implications of this question for topics such as navigation.
The episode ends with a contemplation of the role of the body in shaping intelligence and perception.
The melody at the beginning and end of the episode is a version of theOpening Czesław Mozil Concerto, performed by the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, arranged and produced by Chilly Gonzales.
