Episode
#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
2:46:15
Published: Wed Oct 05 2022
Description
Annaka Harris is the author of Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Wealthfront: https://wealthfront.com/lex to get $50 sign-up bonus - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex to get 25% off premium - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit EPISODE LINKS: Annaka's Twitter: http://twitter.com/annakaharris Annaka's Website: http://annakaharris.com Annaka's Facebook: http://facebook.com/annakaharrisprojects Annaka's Books: 1. Conscious: https://amzn.to/3SFLLPE 2. I Wonder: https://amzn.to/3UPQTTm Annaka's Articles: 1. What Is Time?: http://nautil.us/what-is-time-238478 2. A Solution to the Combination Problem: http://annakaharris.com/the-future-of-panpsychism 3. Consciousness Isn’t Self-Centered: http://nautil.us/consciousness-isnt-self_centered-237720 Books: 1. The Case Against Reality: https://amzn.to/3MhW4Wt 2. Being You: https://amzn.to/3RsxdBQ 3. Livewired: https://amzn.to/3Cn9BKS 4. Spooky Action at a Distance: https://amzn.to/3y27N7a 5. The Order of Time: https://amzn.to/3Stqn0u PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:20) - Free will (1:00:37) - Consciousness (1:31:09) - Depression (1:44:26) - Psychedelics (1:52:25) - Meditation (1:56:49) - Ideas (2:20:35) - AI sentience (2:37:56) - Suffering (2:40:53) - Meaning of life
Chapters
In this podcast episode, Annika Harris discusses the nature of consciousness and its relation to reality, drawing on perspectives from physics and neuroscience.
00:00 - 03:16 (03:16)
Summary
In this podcast episode, Annika Harris discusses the nature of consciousness and its relation to reality, drawing on perspectives from physics and neuroscience.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In terms of brain processing, free will can be understood as a decision-making process in nature that our brains undergo; however, the subjective feeling of having a self that is separate from brain processing and is the cause of our decisions is an illusion.
03:16 - 11:41 (08:24)
Summary
In terms of brain processing, free will can be understood as a decision-making process in nature that our brains undergo; however, the subjective feeling of having a self that is separate from brain processing and is the cause of our decisions is an illusion. The scientific process of shaking up intuitions is crucial for scientific advancement.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The belief that the earth is flat is becoming increasingly popular, despite being proven false by centuries of scientific research.
11:41 - 20:11 (08:30)
Summary
The belief that the earth is flat is becoming increasingly popular, despite being proven false by centuries of scientific research. The speaker also reflects on the difficulty of communicating effectively and the historical context of scientific discoveries.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast explores the idea of whether plants have consciousness and argues how there may be a conscious experience associated with a pea tendril to start moving in a different way.
20:11 - 25:54 (05:42)
Summary
The podcast explores the idea of whether plants have consciousness and argues how there may be a conscious experience associated with a pea tendril to start moving in a different way.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The brain is capable of so many inputs and outputs as a system, but it may not be capable of any behavior in every moment in time.
25:54 - 35:48 (09:54)
Summary
The brain is capable of so many inputs and outputs as a system, but it may not be capable of any behavior in every moment in time. A person with amnesia may lose their autobiographical self, but they would still have the basic sense of being a person.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast delves into the link between memory and sense of self, and how the understanding of consciousness is beginning to shift as we explore new theories in quantum mechanics.
35:48 - 40:55 (05:07)
Summary
This podcast delves into the link between memory and sense of self, and how the understanding of consciousness is beginning to shift as we explore new theories in quantum mechanics.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The possibility that consciousness is fundamental, and not simply a product of brain activity, raises some crazy ideas and theories that are being explored by physicists to help answer this question.
40:55 - 48:52 (07:56)
Summary
The possibility that consciousness is fundamental, and not simply a product of brain activity, raises some crazy ideas and theories that are being explored by physicists to help answer this question.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the impact of open-mindedness, curiosity, and rebelliousness on scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing struggle for science to become mainstream despite the influence of senior scientists.
48:52 - 54:23 (05:31)
Summary
The podcast discusses the impact of open-mindedness, curiosity, and rebelliousness on scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing struggle for science to become mainstream despite the influence of senior scientists.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The idea that consciousness is somehow tied to the complexity of an organism or object is a common misconception.
54:23 - 1:03:39 (09:15)
Summary
The idea that consciousness is somehow tied to the complexity of an organism or object is a common misconception. There is no concrete evidence that suggests that consciousness is complex, rather it is a phenomenon that scientists are still trying to fully understand.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Sam Harris discusses with some physicists whether consciousness is only a tiny subset of what it actually is and if it is part of the most fundamental aspects that emerge out of space-time.
1:03:39 - 1:09:51 (06:12)
Summary
Sam Harris discusses with some physicists whether consciousness is only a tiny subset of what it actually is and if it is part of the most fundamental aspects that emerge out of space-time.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Our conscious experience is at the tail end of a lot of brain processing, including binding processes that happen prior to our awareness.
1:09:51 - 1:20:46 (10:54)
Summary
Our conscious experience is at the tail end of a lot of brain processing, including binding processes that happen prior to our awareness. The brain calibrates our experiences through cause and effect awareness to deliver our perception of reality.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Despite feeling jarring and spooky, losing a sense of self through meditation and psychedelic drugs can have a positive effect on human psychology and increase wellbeing by feeling more connected to the universe and each other, describing spiritual experiences and lowering rates of depression and anxiety.
1:20:46 - 1:31:32 (10:45)
Summary
Despite feeling jarring and spooky, losing a sense of self through meditation and psychedelic drugs can have a positive effect on human psychology and increase wellbeing by feeling more connected to the universe and each other, describing spiritual experiences and lowering rates of depression and anxiety.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The acceptance of personal experiences and understanding of the significance of life within the backdrop of the universe can instill a sense of awe that creates resilience and inspires change.
1:31:32 - 1:42:18 (10:46)
Summary
The acceptance of personal experiences and understanding of the significance of life within the backdrop of the universe can instill a sense of awe that creates resilience and inspires change. Being aware of illusions that are not useful on a daily basis and those that inspire awe helps in making changes and connecting with the universe.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The feeling of being one with the universe is hard to describe but it brings a sense of peace and everything feeling okay.
1:42:18 - 1:48:31 (06:13)
Summary
The feeling of being one with the universe is hard to describe but it brings a sense of peace and everything feeling okay. Meditation can be helpful for many things but not necessarily treatment-resistant depression or severe PTSD.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the intense beauty and appreciation for life felt during meditation and the similarity between this experience and a scientific experiment.
1:48:31 - 1:52:35 (04:03)
Summary
The speaker discusses the intense beauty and appreciation for life felt during meditation and the similarity between this experience and a scientific experiment. They also mention how remembering the joyous moments during low times can be comforting.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The practice of mindfulness and meditation involves paying attention to the present moment experience by keeping a focus on an idea, which could help in bringing clarity and focus.
1:52:35 - 1:57:04 (04:28)
Summary
The practice of mindfulness and meditation involves paying attention to the present moment experience by keeping a focus on an idea, which could help in bringing clarity and focus. By being mindful and present, one can find fascination and joy even in seemingly mundane things.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The nature of consciousness and the formation of ideas in the brain, whether they are a solely constructed by the individual or influenced by collective human intelligence through education, past experiences or social interactions.
1:57:04 - 2:04:24 (07:20)
Summary
The nature of consciousness and the formation of ideas in the brain, whether they are a solely constructed by the individual or influenced by collective human intelligence through education, past experiences or social interactions. The idea that humans are systems in nature and are not isolated, directly affecting and influenced by internal and external factors.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Neuroscientist Anil Seth's book, "Case Against Reality" argues that our perception is detached from objective reality while physics seems to be heading towards the idea that space and time are emergent rather than fundamental aspects of reality.
2:04:24 - 2:11:06 (06:41)
Summary
Neuroscientist Anil Seth's book, "Case Against Reality" argues that our perception is detached from objective reality while physics seems to be heading towards the idea that space and time are emergent rather than fundamental aspects of reality.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This article explores different interpretations of quantum mechanics and discusses the ADS-CFT duality as an analogy for understanding the illusory nature of time and the deeper structure of reality.
2:11:06 - 2:21:31 (10:24)
Summary
This article explores different interpretations of quantum mechanics and discusses the ADS-CFT duality as an analogy for understanding the illusory nature of time and the deeper structure of reality. While time may be an illusion, it still points to a fundamental structure of reality that we perceive as a single pinprick of light in a vast and complex system.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Memory increases suffering globally and makes suffering drawn out over time.
2:21:31 - 2:28:04 (06:33)
Summary
Memory increases suffering globally and makes suffering drawn out over time. Erasing memory of a moment of suffering would be the more ethical thing to do than to maintain that memory.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the concept of philosophers discussing zombies and how he wants to give those philosophers robots to observe their understanding of the concept of love.
2:28:04 - 2:35:33 (07:28)
Summary
The speaker discusses the concept of philosophers discussing zombies and how he wants to give those philosophers robots to observe their understanding of the concept of love.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The impact of suffering on conscious life is more powerful than any happy experience, and is the reason why the question of why there is suffering in the world is asked by both religious and non-religious individuals.
2:35:33 - 2:42:23 (06:50)
Summary
The impact of suffering on conscious life is more powerful than any happy experience, and is the reason why the question of why there is suffering in the world is asked by both religious and non-religious individuals.
Episode#326 – Annaka Harris: Free Will, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
An entrepreneur advises young people to follow their passions, find what inspires and motivates them, and pursue interests outside of their careers.
2:42:23 - 2:45:55 (03:32)
Summary
An entrepreneur advises young people to follow their passions, find what inspires and motivates them, and pursue interests outside of their careers. She acknowledges the challenges of achieving a fulfilling career, but emphasizes the importance of doing something that you love.