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Philosophy
A conversation with Annaka Harris on shared perception, experimental science, and why our intuition about consciousness is wrong.
"Ordinary dreams are, perhaps, the clearest articulation of what it is like to be."
The overlooked reason why "AI consciousness" isn't coming anytime soon.
A universal signature could make surgeries safer — and help reveal what holds consciousness together.
After the trauma of a high-risk medical procedure, Eric Markowitz discovered a kind of consciousness that lives not in thought — but in presence.
These expert-recommended books try to answer the questions of consciousness, from its fundamental nature to its role in human experience and the natural world.
"For many people, the idea that consciousness is a set of tricks is offensive," the late philosopher told Big Think in 2012. "I think that's a prime mistake."
3mins
Humans have always had religion. What does this say about our minds? Reza Aslan PhD, Lisa Miller PhD, and Rob Bell MDiv explain.
Unlikely Collaborators
The host of the Founders podcast joins Big Think for a chat about success, obsession, business genius, human nature, and more.
2mins
Many of us rely on emotional advice that doesn’t actually work. Psychologist Ethan Kross offers a smarter, science-backed approach to managing emotions with flexibility and perspective.
Across planet Earth, dark and pristine night skies are an increasingly rare resource. These photos showcase the best of what we still have.
When your head is full of information, how can you actually make use of it?
Nuclear chemist Tim Gregory joins Big Think to make the case that nuclear energy can still transform the world for the better.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
7mins
“Because of the efficiency worship that we have developed in our industrial age, we are now seeing procrastination as a character flaw rather than what it is, a signal that is worth listening to.”
Just 13.8 billion years after the hot Big Bang, we can see 46.1 billion light-years away in all directions. Doesn't that violate...something?
5mins
What happens when the boundaries of “you” disappear? James Fadiman, PhD, Jamie Wheal, and Matthew Johnson, PhD explore how supported experiences with psychoactive drugs can dissolve identity and reveal a deeper reality.
Unlikely Collaborators
Einstein is credited with saying, "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." What he actually said has a very different meaning.
The Japanese practice of "tsundoku" bestows joy and lasting benefits to those who make books an important part of their lives.
At the center of Hubble's famous "cosmic horseshoe," a very heavy supermassive black hole has been robustly measured. How is it possible?
In the post-AI startup landscape, the role of the entrepreneur will evolve from operator to orchestrator. Are you ready?
2mins
Astrobiologist Betül Kaçar on why the simple act of asking questions (without needing a reason) is one of the most powerful things a human can do.
39mins
"One of the ways you can see the Roman Empire is it's the worldwide web of its day."
Parallel universes are among the most profound notions in all of quantum physics. It's a compelling and fascinating idea, but is it true?
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
19mins
“So many things could have happened in a different way that we wouldn't be here at all, both individually, for sure, and certainly as a species.”
Wonder is like a guest you haven’t planned for.