Something Weird Happens When You Simulate Lifeless Molecules

Veritasium dives into a quirky journey showing how simple, non-living molecules can be coaxed into “evolving” when you run computer simulations. Along the way you’ll learn why poop smells so bad, how the first strands of life might’ve sparked, and what gene mutations, natural selection and kin selection look like in a digital Petri dish.

By testing the ideas behind Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene and tapping experts like Jack Szostak and John Sutherland, the video reveals surprising behaviors that pop up when molecules copy, mutate and compete—with a playful reminder that it’s all just a big simulation.

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