Metamodern thinker Brendan Graham Dempsey joins Radio evolve in a deep exploration of meaning, a concept that has shaped much of human inquiry. Drawing from his extensive background in metamodern studies and his recent book, “The Evolution of Meaning: A Universal Learning Process”, Brendan offers a rich tapestry of ideas that span from the origins of meaning in matter to the complexities of human culture.

For Brendan, the journey into the realm of meaning is both personal and philosophical. He reflects on the haunting questions that have guided his life: What is it all about? What constitutes value, goodness, and even the sacred? As he navigates these inquiries, he emphasizes the evolving nature of our meaning-making processes.

Brendan proposes a broad and inclusive definition of meaning, rooted in the work of complexity scientists. He suggests that meaning connects us to our environment and plays a crucial role in our survival, even at a molecular level.

From whirlpools to living organisms, he underscores how different systems engage with meaningful information, highlighting a continuum of meaning that transcends human experience.

As we delve deeper into Brendan's theories, he guides us through the layers of meaning from matter to life, and ultimately to the mind. Each level introduces new complexities in how entities interact with their environment, showcasing a rich evolution of meaning across different forms of existence.

Brendan explains how life itself is a manifestation of meaningful information processing, illustrating the adaptive responses of organisms to their surroundings. This process, he argues, is foundational to understanding the emergence of culture and consciousness.

The conversation culminates in a reflection on cosmic evolution, where Brendan tracks the progression of meaning from the Big Bang to contemporary human societies. This expansive view not only contextualizes our current existential crises but also offers insights into how we might navigate them. Through Brendan's lens, we see that meaning is not a static concept but a dynamic process that reflects our ongoing engagement with the universe.

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