Speaking of synthesis, I love The Baffling Intelligence of a Single Cell by my friend James Somers.

A few reflections.

I am constantly amazed at the chaotic, frenetic energy in systems as small as a cell. The rate of molecules bouncing off each other just blows my mind.

Nature doesn't know what a cathedral is.

That is, in the famous tradeoff between a cathedral and a bazaar, nature is 100% bazaar.

Only humans think to build cathedrals, to approach problems top-down.

There is something beautiful and inspiring about complex behaviors that emerge entirely bottom-up, that are alive.

These kinds of emergent systems are totally alien to our minds, and yet they're the most natural, common thing in the world.