What is the meaning of life… for a bacterium? If generative AI were to get truly creative, would we even recognise it as such? I explore these ideas and more, in a review of Bacteria to AI: Human Futures with our Nonhuman Symbionts by N. Katherine Hayles, on the British Society for Literature and Science website.
Non-human cognition, revisited
You might remember that I first explored the themes of non-conscious cognition and symbiosis in a previous blog, describing a talk given by N. Katherine Hayles hosted by The Philosopher. Following the publication of the book on which the talk was based earlier this year, I jumped at the chance to review it for the British Society for Literature and Science review website. This is a comprehensive repository of hundreds of appraisals of books that cover science in all its forms.
I won’t spoil the review in this post: instead, I’ll simply point you to the review.
Future Philosopher 