From Matter to Life

by Sara Imari Walker (Editor), Paul C. W. Davies (Editor), George F. R. Ellis (Editor)

The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and the ensuing trial of Derek Chauvin for murder a year later has rubbed raw the bloodiest stain on the United States’ history and its world reputation. The nine minutes and 29 seconds during which Chauvin’s knee crushed the spark of life out of Floyd was not unusual in the history of the United States.

In order to survive and reproduce biological systems must be adapted to the specific features of their environment. They must also be adaptable, or capable of functioning in an uncertain environment. The adaptability of biological matter is one of its most striking properties.

by Peter Staron (Editor), Andreas Schreyer (Editor), Helmut Clemens (Editor), Svea Mayer (Editor)