How constructor theory solves the riddle of life – Chiara Marletto explores how a new vision of physics addresses why life is possible, revealing that accurate self-reproducers require digital recipes compatible with no-design laws. Jump to the section on Life without design to see how recipes become replicators in constructors. (aeon.co)
Technological progress makes us more vulnerable to catastrophe – Colin Dickey argues that advancements often introduce new fragilities, illustrating this through historical cases like the Charles Mallory’s smallpox outbreak. Dive into A fault in our design for a deep look at the paradox of progress. (aeon.co)
Can we design machines to make ethical decisions? – Tom Chatfield investigates the limits and implications of automated ethics, drawing on Paul Virilio’s insight that each technological miracle births its accident. The Automated ethics section lays out the core dilemmas. (aeon.co)
It seemed Darwin had banished biological essences – yet evolution would fail without nature’s library of Platonic forms – Andreas Wagner reveals how genotype networks function as pathways through the protein “library,” making innovation possible. Explore Possible creatures to understand the categorical puzzles of species. (aeon.co)
When self-replicating craft bring life to the far Universe, a religious cult, not science, is likely to be the driving force – Jay Olson examines the cosmic-scale motives behind von Neumann probes, arguing that cosmic stories will require cult-like certainty. The Capturing the cosmos section frames the core thesis. (aeon.co)