Understanding life as information more

We explore the idea that living is molecular computing and what is being computed is the way to sustain life through future generations, at organizational scales from molecular interactions within the cell, to Earth-climate regulation. We argue that living-forms are essentially functional information and as such, are continuous with the abiotic Universe. Information is substantiated in physical form as molecular structures, which, to be alive, must constantly remake themselves through chemical activity (autopoiesis). Examples show how the information of life has `evolved' by self-organization through a hierarchy of complex-systems: molecular networks; cell communities and ecosystems, exhibiting control circuitry at every level, finally aggregating to form the Gaia system. Not only is the concept of `life as information processing' consistent with modern biology and physics, it is bringing about a new synthesis through a unified view for all levels of biological organization.