Michael Levin is one of my favorite scientists. He and his collaborators are working in the area of biology and cognition with a framework he calls the Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere (TAME), which I find to be very much compatible with eastern philosophy and the Headless Way. One of the most mind blowing papers is Biology, Buddhism, and AI: Care as the Driver of Intelligence. This paper struck a chord with me as both someone who is interested in Buddhist-type philosophy and someone who is interested in AI. The concept Cognitive Light Cones introduced in this paper as a way of describing the depth and breadth of what an intelligence cares about is an idea that should be at the forefront of AI research as we bring new intelligences into the world. It seems rather obvious that we would want those new intelligences to care about us and the things we care about as well. More than that though, this paper got me thinking about “care” as a fundamental quality behind everything we experience. What we experience — what we see, hear, feel, smell, taste, and think — is optimized and shaped by evolution to be what we care about. It is those aspects of the world that we find salient to our own existence and thus when I see the world I see what I care about. It brings a new flavor to everything. There is care, love and compassion underscoring all experience. It is not about preferences, or approval or disapproval of what I experience. The mere fact that I experience it means I care for it. Now that puts a new spin on those annoying people and situations in life. So-and-so may really tick me off, but I experience their words and actions because deep down I care about other people and what they say. I may not agree with them or approve of their actions but I can’t help but care about them. Caring comes before any judgements are made. Caring is what lets them in to my awareness in the first place. I hope you enjoy this episode of Headless Deep Dive as much as I did. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit headlessdeepdive.substack.com