Explore the fascinating world of active matter in this 46-minute conference talk by Etienne Fodor from the University of Luxembourg. Delve into the collective phenomena emerging from energy-consuming components interacting with each other and their environment. Discover the surprising behaviors of active fluids, from spontaneous flow to flocking and condensation without attractive interactions. Learn about the latest research direction in active solids, including elastically coupled networks that allow for actuation and shape changes not possible in equilibrium. Gain insights into the broad applications of active matter in living organisms, cell assemblies, cell interiors, and synthetically engineered materials. Recorded as part of "The Many Faces of Active Mechanics" conference at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, this talk connects various branches of active matter research and explores overarching principles spanning multiple fields.