Manolis Kellis: Origin of Life, Humans, Ideas, Suffering, and Happiness | Lex Fridman Podcast
Manolis Kellis is a professor at MIT and head of the MIT Computational Biology Group. Please check out our sponsors to get a discount and to support this podcast:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Manolis Website: web.mit.edu/manoli/
Manolis Twitter: / manoliskellis
Manolis Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manolis...
PODCAST INFO:
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RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
6:20 - Epigenome
10:28 - Evolution
15:26 - Neanderthals
27:15 - Origin of life on Earth
43:44 - Life is a fight against physics
49:56 - Life as a set of transformations
51:35 - Time scales
1:00:31 - Transformations of ideas in human civilization
1:05:19 - Life is more than a rat race
1:13:18 - Life sucks sometimes and that's okay
1:30:16 - Getting older
1:36:21 - The best of MIT
1:49:01 - Poem 1: The Snow
2:01:52 - Love
2:06:16 - Poem 2: The Tide Waters
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I really enjoyed this conversation with Manolis. Here's the outline: 0:00 - Introduction 6:20 - Epigenome 10:28 - Evolution 15:26 - Neanderthals 27:15 - Origin of life on Earth 43:44 - Life is a fight against physics 49:56 - Life as a set of transformations 51:35 - Time scales 1:00:31 - Transformations of ideas in human civilization 1:05:19 - Life is more than a rat race 1:13:18 - Life sucks sometimes and that's okay 1:30:16 - Getting older 1:36:21 - The best of MIT 1:49:01 - Poem 1: The Snow 2:01:52 - Love 2:06:16 - Poem 2: The Tide Waters
thank youuu
Don't doubt yourself and this podcast so much and don't worry about what the listeners want. Wear the personality like you wear your suit. Stand for who you are and that is the succes that made this podcast. 💪👊
The time stamps are perfect!
L
in your prologue you referred to scientists that want to go to outer space while you prefer to stay here. We all know to whom you referred to. Dont worry, Eric already lives in outer space.
Feel free to have Manolis on the podcast AS MUCH AS YOU WANT !!
Not all the time though, that would be crazy. Same guest again and again and again..are you serious? It's fine to have him three or four times during a 10 year period
Certainly not to the exclusion of other guests, and there can be a danger of repetitiveness, but I have a hard time believing that Manolis and Lex will be quick to exhaust the possible topics of conversation, given the range of their respective interests. I'm not yet convinced that these two gentleman are capable of having an uninteresting conversation.
Tony Vega I read this in total disbelief lol I’ll take 3-4 times a year thanks!
once a week would be dope!
Its a continuous mindblow
I think these two conversations with Manolis are the best you’ve done. He is such a wonderful combination of great intellect, story-teller, teacher, gentle humanist and poet that I could listen to him for hours. Especially when he’s prompted by such a clever set of questions that you put to him. Thank you both so much for these two sessions. 👍💕
I feel the same
Absolutely!!! What a privilege to listen to both of you! Thank you Lex for doing this. Thank you Manolis for being such a great human. My mind and my heart expanded, and faith in humanity restored 🙏🏻
probably my favorite two conversations so far! thank you both!!! :)
Feeling exactly the same
You are so damn right! I find this conversation one of the most captivating I have ever listened to! Manolis is brilliant in every aspect !
I am just amazed by the velocity at which Lex puts the podcast. And the best part is that there is no compromise on the quality of the content either. So much to learn from him !
Wow. The amount of doors that I didn't even know that I could walk through. Fantastic insight. I will listen to this again and again.
Probably the most fascinating interview that I've ever seen and heard in my life. Manolis is a treasure to us all. All these politicians and congressmen and supposedly community leaders who're incompetent and creating havoc in our lives, should spend 5 min with Manolis, shut up their mouths and listen to every word out of Manolis' mouth, say yes sir and try to implement it in our lives. Thank you Lex and Thank you Manolis for enriching my life today.
To be honest, I'm not impressed by a scientist who postulates our ancestors committed the genocide of every other hominid on the planet on the basis of pure conjecture [21:32]. That's a very serious accusation to level against our ancestors and our race as a whole - a very serious thing to imply is simply 'in our makeup'. It's one thing to forward such a hypothesis if based on evidence but this is based on presumption, nothing more. No mass graves have been found, no war zones excavated, no slaughtered tribes. There are also a great deal of other factors that could lead to the disappearance of the other hominids. So, personally, I think Manolis should consider what advertising this unfounded hypothesis means to those hearing it who trust his word as truth due to his expertise - he does not make it clear that the actual facts of the matter are completely unknown and the extinction could equally be due to e.g. us carrying a fatal disease to isolated tribes with low immunity in parallel to the Spanish landing in S.America. I am not suggesting he should not state the hypothesis, just that he does it clumsily and appears unaware how very powerful and demoralising what he is stating is to young people etc. We have enough people walking around saying we're nothing but destructive, power mad parasites that deserve to go extinct without expert scientists dropping bombs like this without any evidence backing up those statements.
Also listen to Joscha Bach and Lisa Feldman. Just as great, but of course no need to compare. All are amazing and make you go wow so many times during conversation.
I agree 100% with your analysis of most politicians. I think politicians tend to attract narcissistic and opportunistic greed for power and money. I am so sad to see how there is so little gratitude for what is good.
precisely my thought - 2 yrs later
Just as I start feeling like a huge dummy for not comprehending the conversation, Lex shuts his eyes and says "wait.." Then I feel better. 😃
You just made me laugh
Manolis, massive fan - please start writing a book for the masses. You are so good at explaining, humanity will miss out on your truly amazing enthusiasm and knowledge.
Yes another interview between my favorite robot and my favorite greek.
Hahahahaha
Dude 😂
But who is which exactly lmao
lol
You haven’t met me...
Yet again, Manolis just causally mentions so many jaw-dropping observations and facts, amazing!
This was the first of your podcasts that made me cry, Lex. Manolis is beyond inspiring.
Tears help you remember :)
At 1:04:26 Lex whispering in awe "so brilliant" is everything. So glad to see Manolis back in this podcast. One of the few humans who can talk of Alexander the Great and ribosomes in the same convo. Gotta love him
The Lex Fridman podcast has become one of the most important pieces of content in my life. Thank you, Lex as well as all of your brilliant and wonderful guests.
Just loved guest
Amazing. One of my life-changing moments was seeing children in Iraq. In the worst possible situation of war. They played soccer with rolled up shirts with bare feet, hungry, thirsty, hot. They laughed, they played.
I was a medic for an army combat support hospital in Baghdad and in Mosul, Iraq, and I only got to see their physical suffering and death. I haven’t felt positive about having experienced what I did in Iraq until just now reading your comment.
Wow.
@@juancantu6169 I was building walls in Baghdad most of the time and delivering supplies. Most of that time was witnessing suffering, but it was a beautiful gift and life lesson to catch glimpses of hope for humanity.
@@ajalmostheaven kinda a shame most of us never see that hope. There's alot to be said for the old ways...good and bad. At least humans were people then. Oh well. If we lose enough, and suffer enough, they'll bring the old ways back.
@@juancantu6169 war sounds fun
Manolis needs to have his own podcast or must appear here every month.
That's the law from now on
Wow. The amount of doors that I didn't even know that I could walk through. Fantastic insight. I will listen to this again and again.
Hey man, just wanna say... I actually rate you over Joe Rogan big time. I like your way of interviewing, and your the only podcast I get super excited about listening to regardless of who is on, purely because you have a way of really letting your guests shine through, in a way that also makes you shine! So... keep up the great work, and keeping doing what you do.
The quality of his guests is really impeccable too. Just a freakin parade of super geniuses one after the other its crazy
Joe Rogan is nothing special. He's just achieved a sort of viral success, so most people end up watching some of his videos at some point. A bit like watching Top Gear ten years ago (in the UK). The best thing you could really say about it was that it was okay and there wasn't much else to watch, but objectively it's just something to pass the time and pretty much a parody of itself. Lex is in a different league altogether. He may not have the same widespread reach (yet) but his guests are high-calibre, thought-provoking intellectuals and Lex asks some great questions and really listens to the answers. And this is one of my favourite interviews so far.
Agree!
Since Lex got upset the other day because people were posting negative comments about Joe Rogan I'd like to add that my post above is just my opinion. And in defence of the people who posted negative comments, that's their opinion, which they're entitled to post and discuss. I don't agree with censoring that by taking down a video. Having said that, a lot of people like Joe. The main point I'd like to make is that Lex isn't Joe, and nor should he try to emulate him in any way, shape or form. If you like Joe, go and watch Joe. There's plenty of his stuff to watch. I find comments like, "Lex, you should get a Jamie" highly irritating and infantile, and I sincerely hope that Lex stops trying to appeal to these people. _/rant_
Agreed! Agreed! Agreed! Makes JRE look like The View!
This conversation blows me away. I'm gonna have to listen to it a couple more times to internalize what is being said. Lex has a knack for asking amazing questions and getting amazing answers.
Truly this is one of my favorite podcasts I've ever seen. And if it were not for lex I would have never discovered this man or his insights and perspectives. Lex thank you very much. You inspire many many people.
Hear hear!
Lex, you’re a beast. You know it’s ok to take a couple days off just to relax and have fun. But i do appreciate the veracity and speed at which your podcasts keep coming out!
kyle roan The Dr. knows!
DNA is information, information comes from mind.
Did u mean to say “ Beast”
Once he starts talking about the meaningful of life it's very inspiring, then depressing, then even more depressing, and finally resolves to inspiring. Very honest, candid, and meaningful. Interesting to think about it.
Such a aweome guy. Makes everything so relatable.
*an
Yes, he looks and sound as a very interesting fellow!
You are just a humble, lovable light. You are clearly on a journey and its nice to see someone without his cup full. We need more perspectives like yours in this increasingly partisan and dark time. Thank you Lex!
Manolis Kellis is a national treasure.
My oh my! I literally laughed and cried whilst listening to this podcast. People in the subway car looked at me like I must have gone mad. Manolis is such an inspiration! One of best of Lex' podcast to date to be sure. Very much look forward to the next two Manolis appearances.
Perhaps my favourite podcast of your entire list. Excellent questions, and even better answers. Manolis is an expect that actually understands how to communicate his ideas subject to a high degree for people outside of biology. Perfect blend of philosophy and biology. Thank you for this gift of an episode Lex
I had to come back and watch this again. Too powerful
After rewatched this I had to say thank you again Lex. You really nailed this gig by getting Manolis on your show so many times. I’ve watched nearly 80% of your podcasts and every time he comes on, he brings insights, depth and vitality to many of the dynamics that life throws out. Brutally honest, open hearted, humble yet ambitious, but most of all, he completely gets the game. ‘Embracing the struggle and embracing the journey...you shape it’ Time for a round 5.💯
I adore this guy, Manolis Kellis, I wish we had more people like him on Earth!
not robotic, rather, your VOICE is such a soothing tonic in this world of chaos thank you keep broadcasting PLEASE :)
I think you should make a regular podcast with Manolis every other month. Absolute geniuses!
the last word you should be more carfool wen say it " just like this ....?
What an interesting, thoughtful, gentle guy. We need more people like this in the world.
This is the type of podcast that changes lives.
Lex please make him a regular guest. Talk about a brilliant mind who just happens to not have his own podcast who more people need to hear from on a regular basis! I loved every minute of it. Please keep up the good work!
This is one of the best conversations I have ever listen to! Manolis is brilliant in every aspect ! His knowledge, passion and personality, blend into the most captivating dialogue about life and humanity!
This episode is masterful. The discussion gained superfluidity levels, beautifully converging on origins of life, evolution, civilization, arts, and emotions. Many thanks to Lex and Manolis for sharing this wonderful experience with all of us.
gosh what an absolute GEM Manolis is. Thank you for 3 mind blowing interviews with him and more please.
That "life sucks sometimes and that's okay" arc honestly hit home. Being 23 and not knowing how i'm meant to get from point A to B (professionally/socio-economically), this is something I'm constantly trying to remind myself. Thanks for this
These are the podcasts that I am eternally grateful for. My perspective is widened, my mind is blown. Thank you for having the kind of conversations you have with such great guests, Lex Fridman.
man you could have this guy on like 5 times a year and everyone would approve
Manolis must have the best understanding of who we are that i have ever heard what a amazing human
who we are ?
The enthusiasm and excitement that Manolis has for Biology and just life in general in contagious. It drew me slap in and I'm now a fan of him. I had never heard of him before seeing this. Great interview!
Brilliant Manolis. I have to admit first 30 minutes was a bit tough to listen to, but after Manolis close down his computer, he engaged in the conversation in such a deeper level. This have been perhaps one of the best conversations in the show so far. Thank you both humans for the reflections, ideas and inspiration.
As a fellow compatriot (Greek) Mr. Manolis Kellis (Kamvisellis) is such an inspiration...! Thank for bringing him to your podcast Lex such a joyful listening experience! 😊👌
Just listened to first 15 minutes and my mind is repeating just one word: Beautiful.... Just beautiful..... Thanks for your efforts Lex- this is meditation- pondering over big unbounded questions... Just beautiful!
"Life does not start after the next milestone" - Manolis Kellis
i dream of encountering in my life teachers like Manolis and schoolmates like Lex. and i'm 53.
our way of expressing these concepts always attracts me, and nothing, but nothing compares with it-- the tone, the depth of spirituality, I can't put it into words. Your Manifesting Manual is something I can read over and over and soak up. kzhead.infoUgkxzpa8CIfZcihW4Z0F_ja0QF3W9KIatrsq I am in process of making the routine a solid part of my life, and it has made a difference! I LOVE your 12 meditations too! I know I am a different person after 9 months with Super Manifestor, and in process of continued positive change! You deserve accolades every day of the year! Keep on with everything, and as we say in Spanish, ANIMO! Lots of love and every blessing to you both.
I've been a student of biology for most of my life until my fascination with systems (and a paycheck) brought my path to software instead, and I gotta say, this video has some of the biggest mind-blowers I've experienced since first reading Dawkins during my school years. The world needs more Manolis, and thank you Lex for sharing him with us!
Lex: I'm Russian, I romanticize suffering Manolis: hold my beer
@@gridcoregilry666 nobody holds your raki, u just galp it down when u cant hold it
Manolis: I’m Greek, we gave the world logic and reason 🇬🇷
But we keep defying them
I also felt like home listening to this part ;-)
Lex: "Using the internet without express vpn is like going to the bathroom and not closing the door" Me listening in the bathroom with an open door: How did he know 😱
You don't have VPN. That's how 😂
Too funny. Im reading this in the bathroom..yes with an open door
When friends complain about Google spying I always tell them I don't care if they know how long I was in the bathroom or what I read or listened to. ;-)
This is the first time in my (long) life that I didn't switch off at some point when a podcast drifted from hard core science content into the murky waters of meaning of life and such. To the contrary here. This guy is sensational! Thank you, Lex!
Love this guy, the prayer he gave in the first podcast that he said he does with his children was so simple and beautiful. I feel lucky to be the same species as this guy.
Our favorite guest! Thank you Lex
A podcast with people who have a lot to say and very little to sell. So refreshing 🙏🏻
Well said
Watched both of these twice. He's an interesting fellow. He is soft in voice, but, as if trying to enable you to find your own answers. Beautiful.
This podcast is amazing. Guests like Manolis and Joscha have truly impacted my outlook on life. Thanks for this I'm glad I still have another episode with him to watch after this :)
2 hours felt like 20 minutes, I can listen to this whole day.
Im a struggling genetics student working in neuroscience. This guy just lifted a rock off my chest. What a champ.
Your channel, Lex, is like an abundant diamond mine in the world of interviews with the smartest people.
The idea of timescale is particularly satisfying. Indeed, plants appear to be very dynamic and purposeful in the direction they grow when viewed on a timelapse
Lex, as a student in my mid 20’s, you’re an inspiration!
Ironically, I found him to be refreshing. Too bleak for most, but his soft hearted approach to the harsh reality of our developing existence is a good thing to expose people to. He is not afraid of the darkness, because he understands it's nature. It's blunt but precise, and feels as true as anything I've ever known. The details are overwhelming but the general conclusion is attainable.great interview lex, thanks for introducing me to your guest.
I've seen and experienced much sadness and misery. Tenderness, kindness is what brings tears to my eyes. They are the rare and beautiful things of life. I try to be grateful as often as possible
It's so enjoyable to listen to these conversations with Manolis. I hope he comes onto the podcast more. He's brilliant, and has a beautiful understanding, perspective, approach to life and the world.
I don't think I could ever listen to enough from this guest, he just blows my mind on so many levels! Thank you Lex for having the greatest podcast there is!! ♡
This episode was recommended to me by YT the day I turned 42. 😂 one of your best Lex. This guy is brilliant!
This is an 80-year old listening to you two, and thinking. Wonderful. BTW, the Cavafis "Ithaca" is one of my favorite poems. Best to you.
This is the best conversation and philosophical thinking I have ever listened to. Manolis has changed my way of viewing life on earth for the better. I feel so grateful to have been introduced to this man's knowledge, insight and philosophy of life ❤️
I’m a new fan of your podcast (Thank you, Joe Rogan) and am fascinated with the content in the conversations you have with these brilliant guests. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I stayed up until 5am this morning to finish this one. Truly eye opening and I wish I had found you sooner but thankful to have made this discovery and look forward to observing and contemplating more of your discussions.
Lex- thank you man. This is one of the most moving conversations about life I have ever seen. Manolis is amazing. Grateful for your show and this episode in particular.
Great job Lex! One of my favorite podcasts so far. "If you know who you are, what other people think about you, only teaches you about them" really stuck with me.
One of my all time favorite videos on KZhead right now. Seriously phenomenal conversation. Bravo gentleman.
Incredible. Most informative podcast I’ve ever listened to!
amazing conversation such a privilege to be able to listen and watch this for free. Thank you lex you have become my new favorite podcaster. You have such amazing guests and the questions you ask are so perfect, things you would never hear from these people through any other medium really. Thank you 🙏
I love that magic spoon sponsored Lex Fridman AND Tim Dillon, literally legendary.
Loved both Michael's interviews. No joke, this must be the most brilliant person I ever heard speak. Best part about him is he explains everything in a way anyone can understand & w/ passion.
Been very addicted to your chats, Lex. I really appreciate them! The two with Manolis have been particularly interesting.
He is so emotionally mature
-So, as we start thinking about intergalactic travel now -AHAHAHAHHA
"even if my monotone.. robotic voice sometimes sounds otherwise" 😂 that made my day. You're awesome man! I love the self call out. Honesty level: over 9000!
You have the best show on the web, Lex. And Manolis is the best guest! Please, never quit, Bro! Love from the UK.
I loved loved loved the last podcast you did with Manolis, thanks so much for continuing the conversation
Lex, He is one of my favorite guests you interview. Hopefully another one with him again soon!
As someone who sank beneath the waves and failed out of highschool. I was crying as Manolis said that last poem. Once the mention of crying happened it only concreted the pain. This is not pain to be changed but to be experienced in its raw, Though this suffering exists, i feel recognized in the poem in a fucked up but reassuring way.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful feelings and story. I cry too when i read this poem sometimes, and when i remember so many joys and so many regrets, tears, and losses. May the river continue to carry you to new places, new adventures, and new opportunities. -Manolis
I am not sure which part of this podcast I found more inspiring! Artificial selection story of wolves, origin of life, potential life on Jupyter's moon and his beautiful philosophy about life! Loved it!
11:22 really like lex s question here. To deep learning and optimization guys this is crazy. You have discrete variables parametrizing behavior of cells in huge complex dynamics organism... And you run optimization on a noisy fitness function taking a long time to evaluate, without passing gradient from one end to the other!!! Purely gradient free optimization, it s insane
Easily one of my favorite podcast episodes!! I hope you keep bringing him along! And if you happen to read this Lex, you are doing amazing, keep striving to do what you want to do, and don’t listen to the haters now that you have FU money! Oh and get off the comments.
you knocked it out of the park lex. I will come back to this video often. thank you very much
Listened to 3/4 of this vid before I glanced at the screen and am shocked at the maturity of thought coming from such a young man. Lex, you need to hear this interview several more times because there are 'take away's here that you need better absorbed. Probably the most important interview that you have ever done.
Thank you so much for the kind words Allan.
Wow this guy is great at giving an intuition on these complex topics
He's the best guy ever on podcast.truly fascinating experience to watch this
Just found this channel man..super inspiring and the level of depthness in the dialogues is something else entirely
I'm probably going to listen to this podcast a thousand times. I came to you from JRE and from the episodes I've listened to I can tell your content is much more my speed.
So happy I was introduced to.this dude. What a great selection of guests!
6:24 Deja vu His first sentence in his previous podcast
yes, because of this one I thought Lex re-uploaded the old video
Can't get enough of this channel. This guys an unbelievable genius ! Love it...
This conversation essentially reaffirms a great portion of my internal dialog from a very young age. I understand many have had a more challenging life than mine, but the challenges set forth from a very young age brought out the super ego within. I've overcome many challenges and have come to believe and practice the idea that life is a series of challenges to be overcome and or adapted to. Enjoy the journey, understand that focusing on the destination may be a detriment to one's ability to maximize their experience in the way of perceived accomplishment and self actualization. I love every bit of this knowledge from a great fellow human! Thanks Lex, thanks Manolis. This conversation has been serendipitous in my life at a point where confidence in the direction of my path and the will of my soul were at odds.
great podcast, i'm going to watch his symposium next
Lex, what an amazing job you do with the questions you ask! I especially love the romantic and philosophical ones. I’m a new listener to your podcast and it’s brought great joy in a time of relative personal despair. Thanks again!
This podcast is fantastic. Try listening to his 1st interview with mannolis which to me was 10x more mind-blowing!
@@6ixpool520 Just did! It was excellent! Thanks for the recommendation! :)
The discussion gets better and better to the end.
Lex has the best voice for podcasts. so calm, a real pleasure to listen to, and great guests. thank you.
One of the best interviews...thank you!