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Neri Oxman: Biology, Art, and Science of Design & Engineering with Nature | Lex Fridman Podcast #394
@ Lex Fridman
09/02/23
Takeaways
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Every new project must incorporate simultaneous complexity and novelty across synthetic biology, material science, robotics, engineering, and computational design to create something truly innovative.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I view nature as everything that isn't produced by humankind, including birds, rocks, fungi, elephants, and whales, which are all part of the natural world.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
From the beginning of mankind, the products we've designed have separated us from nature, and I want to return to a world where we are completely connected to it.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I believe there is so much in nature that we have yet to leverage and understand, and much of our work is about unveiling new truths about the natural world.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Nature possesses a kind of wisdom that exists beyond or above intelligence, and we are trying to tap into that wisdom through technology.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
In 2020, Ron Milo defined 'Anthropomass' as the point when human-made products exceeded biomass on the planet, highlighting the imbalance between human creations and natural life.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
We are exploring how to design all technological products as if they are part of the biosphere, envisioning a world where everything can be grown rather than built.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The goal is to create a world where driving a car or building a city can actually benefit nature rather than harm it, fostering a synergy between humans and the environment.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I coined the term 'material ecology' in 2005, envisioning all materials as part of an ecology that positively impacts the environment, working together to help each other.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
We are developing a product that starts from CO2 and ends with an edible fruit plant, creating a fully biodegradable and biocompatible product.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
In our projects, we aim to create products that are computationally, robotically, and materially novel, transitioning from traditional assembly to using robots and microbes.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Our work with silkworms and bees has shown that we can create environments that allow these organisms to thrive, even in urban settings, enhancing their survival and productivity.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
We successfully sent bees to space as part of a life support system, proving that we can create environments that allow them to thrive even in extreme conditions.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The concept of reincarnation is central to our work, as we aim to create products that can biodegrade and return to the earth, contributing to new life.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
In our project 'Vespers', we created death masks using E. coli to produce pigments, exploring the intersection of biology and design in innovative ways.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
We are committed to using technology responsibly, ensuring that our work with organisms is beneficial not just for humans but for the environment as well. This is particularly important in industries like sericulture, where around 1,000 cocoons are exterminated for each shirt produced, highlighting the abuse of these organisms.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
It's time to reconsider the notion of organisms designed solely for human-centric applications, as we have much to learn from bacteria and their roles on this planet.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
My design principle focuses on allowing organisms to flourish, creating a win-win synergy where the organism's growth produces beneficial byproducts.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Genetic modification of organisms, like silkworms, should be approached with caution; we should not modify them for human benefit at the risk of their existence.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Bacteria are essential to life on Earth, having existed for billions of years before other organisms, and they play a crucial role in creating the matter we consume.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
We're exploring directed evolution of bacteria to produce various products, including biomaterials and therapeutics, using computational methods in a lab setting.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Our new lab will feature capsules designed for environmental control, allowing us to program conditions for growing innovative materials like transparent wood and even shoes.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
These capsules will serve as biodiversity chambers, enabling us to recreate past environments and study how organisms respond to specific conditions.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Understanding the molecular communication of plants, such as their responses to stress, will revolutionize precision agriculture and improve crop management.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I believe that the future of design lies in creating systems that embrace the loss of control, allowing for creativity and emergence to flourish.
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Neri Oxman
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@ Lex Fridman
Manifestation is about directing energy, information, and matter towards a vision, which is essential for achieving our goals and dreams.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Every ten years, I feel the need to reboot my life to stay creative and inventive, embracing new opportunities as they arise.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Letting go of preconceived notions and embracing the unknown opens doors to new possibilities and creative endeavors.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Imperfection is necessary for beauty, as it signifies our journey and connection to something greater than ourselves, making life meaningful.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The flaws in humans and nature are essential for connection and vulnerability, which are crucial for love and community building.
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Neri Oxman
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@ Lex Fridman
Love requires vulnerability, and the flaws in humans allow for deeper connections, enabling us to build civilizations together.
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Neri Oxman
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@ Lex Fridman
The flaws in a brick or a person can increase surface area, allowing for connection and collaboration, which is essential for building relationships.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Cherishing simple moments, like feeling the sun on your skin or enjoying a grain of rice, is essential for living a meaningful life.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The first technology that built community was fire, which provided warmth and comfort, allowing humans to gather and connect.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Loneliness is a fundamental part of being human; it can lead to vulnerability and deeper connections with others.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I believe that death is an integral part of life, as it allows for new growth and evolution in nature.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Music is the universal language that connects us deeply, often evoking emotions that other art forms cannot.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The ability to appreciate the little things, like the full moon, is crucial for a meaningful life.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
Growth is often painful and requires placing oneself in uncomfortable situations to achieve personal development.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
To foster creativity, I seek discomfort by surrounding myself with people who are more intelligent than I am.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
I advise young people to focus on their calling rather than a career, as a calling is innately driven and transcends traditional career paths.
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Neri Oxman
09/02/23
@ Lex Fridman
The difference between learning and being educated is that learning comes from within, while education is often imposed externally.