Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO)

@drcsearl.bsky.social

57 followers 180 following 38 posts

Science communicator and writer interested in the nature of life from a molecular biology and philosophy perspective. https://linktr.ee/mol_bio Find me on SubStack: https://substack.com/@drchrisearl?utm_source=user-menu

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Jun 25

Our modern, scientific pursuits have transformed our understanding of life. Yet these ideas have not permeated our society. In MolBio and the Meaning of Life, I examine how the philosophical implications of our newfound knowledge alter our perspective on ourselves and our place in the Universe.

1 1 6

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 2d

This question would need an entire article devoted to it, where the gene-centric view of evolution would be one position considered/contrasted alongside the other perspectives.

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 2d

Great question Ray. I tackle the veracity of the metaphor from the perspective that it is overly reductive and underappreciates the role of the organism. I did not get into the debate about what level of selection is important from an evolutionary perspective (gene vs individual vs group)

1 1

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks for your thoughts Mubassir it is much appreciated!

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 2d

🧪Is Richard Dawkins wrong about the nature of life? And is it time to abandon the metaphor of "The Selfish Gene"? That's what's in my new article. It's free to read and subscribe, and it features audio narration (read by me) for those who prefer it.

#science #philsky #evolution #biology #philosophy

Is Richard Dawkins wrong about the nature of life?

Is it time to abandon the metaphor of "The Selfish Gene"?

drchrisearl.substack.com

4 7 25

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 18d

🧪Has NASA found the first example of extraterrestrial life?
NASA published new work on September 10, based on a sample taken on Mars. Mars once had water on its surface, which is crucial for considering how lifeless rocks can transform into living systems, such as bacterial cells.
#science #philsky

2 10

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 26d

Would love to, thanks Sean 😃

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 26d

🧪I'd love to hear from scientists, philosophers, theologians, authors, and anyone interested in life and the cosmos.

Does the incredible physical properties displayed by life give you appreciation for your own existence.

#philsky #science #physics #biology #theology #atheism #humanism #authors

The title is The Alien A.I. scientist thought experiment. This picture shows a desktop computer labelled as an Alien artificial intelligence (A.I.) with the milky way galaxy as a cosmic background.

1 2

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · 26d

Life is THE most special/interesting "thing" that can exist in the Universe. The life affirming premise here: Life in all of its forms is the most interesting property displayed by matter/energy. Do you agree?

I present a thought experiment to explore this
Watch full video youtu.be/fKuoPKqLHNI

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 9

I made a short video on the subject of impermanence. For a deeper dive please see my full article with audio narration here: substack.com/home/post/p-...

Thanks to Erin for the footage over the years. I (Chris Earl) made and played the guitar part/narration.

#science #philosophy #meaning #philsky

1 3

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 5

🧪Check out my new post. I explain how Ozempic and Mounjaro work (in molecular detail). Why is there a picture of a cool orange and black lizard? Have a read to find out! If you don’t fancy reading the whole thing, a short video is available (scroll to the bottom).

#science #sciencecommunication

The science behind Ozempic and Mounjaro

The everyday MOL-BIO series: How do Ozempic and Mounjaro work?

substack.com

2 2

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 3

Agreed. In wider culture we are obsessed with some flashy story about success but often it is sacrifice and living a quiet focussed/immersive life. It would make a pretty dull movie/biopic. The mundane is missing from public view, the dominant narrative encourages superficial, performative success.

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 3

Yeah that's a horrible place to be in and unpleasant to experience. Feels like with modern social media it has got so easy to spend so much time doing nothing at all 😕

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 3

🧪 I believe this is an important perspective for understanding the tidal wave of integrity issues we are beginning to appreciate in research science. What does everyone else think? I think this is an under-explored component @retractionwatch.com‬
#science #scientificintegrity #philsky #philosophy

1 1 2

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Sep 3

There is so much bullsh*t in the performance space. Inspired by reading the book "Peak Performance (PP)" in 2017, I try to foster sustainable success, integrity, and most of all enjoyment. Isn’t that the whole point of life?!

Check out the article by author B. Stulberg:
substack.com/home/post/p-...

2 2 9

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 30

Does philosophy still matter? This podcast is fascinating! It explores Todd May's work on "narrative values" and how it relates to performance (sport/professional/family) and creating a meaningful life. Love the chat on how to balance meaningful work vs the bullshit

#philsky #edusky #performance

How "Narrative Values" Can Change Your Psychology & Biology

open.spotify.com

1 3

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 18

Thanks for all of the information Joseph. Consciousness is not my area of expertise so it will take me a bit of time to adjust to this topic, at this level of detail, I am particularly interested though in how you link consciousness to processes like symbiogenesis etc, so will be taking a look.

1 1

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 18

Thanks Joseph that is a really interesting way to put it. Check out my article "The Illusion of Meaning" where I discuss this in a similar way to your description:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I'd be interested to know your thoughts on that too.

2 1

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 16

Thank you for bringing this article to my attention it looks fascinating.

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 16

#philsci #philsky

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 16

#buddhism #philosophy #performance #quoteoftheday #dailyquotes #inspiration #motivation

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 16

Checkout:
podcast- open.spotify.com/show/08qLiDY...
web- thegrowtheq.com

Follow @stevemagness.bsky.social
@bradstulberg.bsky.social

Pre-order Brad's book "Way of Excellence"
open.spotify.com/show/08qLiDY...

And Steve's newest (50% offer)
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/win-the-in...

You won't regret!

excellence, actually

Podcast · Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, & Clay Skipper · "excellence, actually" is a podcast from The Growth Equation, hosted by Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper. Drawing on their years ...

open.spotify.com

1 1

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 16

It was a boost to see that Clay Skipper from the "Excellence, Actually" podcast shared a quote from my article: Impermanence. Clay, Steve Magness, and Brad Stulberg run "The Growth Equation", writing articles/books about performance. They offer the best no-nonsense science-backed advice you'll find.

2 1 4

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 14

#molecules #atoms #meaningoflife #molecularbiology #boston #science #buddhism #murakami #running #charlesriver #philsci #philosophy #physics 📷Stuart J. Earl

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 14

🧪Impermanence is my new article exploring the concept of change from a scientific perspective, with insight from Eastern philosophy and running!

🧪"I’m just a replaceable natural phenomenon, like the water in the river that flows under the bridge.” Haruki Murakami running the Charles River, Boston.

Impermanence

You are a flowing, changing, natural phenomenon

substack.com

1 2 7

Dr Chris Earl (MOL-BIO) @drcsearl.bsky.social · Aug 5

Thank you for the suggestion that sounds great and I didn't know that, I will check it out. I am just at the very start of Alien Clay.