Comments on: Professor Donald Hoffman — The Case Against Reality, Beyond Spacetime, Rethinking Death, Panpsychism, QBism, and More (#585)

By: Alex Alex

Alex Alex — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 08:15:13 +0000

Hearing this interview I remembered of something I read in one of Jung’s books.

Carl Jung was once in Africa and had wandered far away and he came up to a wonderfull field with animals with no hint of human presence.

He writes that he fell that the reason we humans exist is for this natural beauty to be perceived, if no one saw this sight, it would not be.

It is not too far of a leap to conclude that the sight he saw was a construct, a representation of sorts, a product of consciousness.

By: William Ayers '72

William Ayers '72 — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:07:20 +0000

Feb 28, 2023. To Tim and Donald,
Just listened to your great show. Nima still at IAS [Moderator: email address removed per policy.]

Subject:
QBism and AI ChatGPT come to the WSJ

(Full ref. at bottom of post) – WSJ. Feb. 24, 2023, By Henry Kissinger !!, Eric Schmidt and Daniel Huttenlocher

“….machines are likely to alter the fabric of reality itself. Quantum theory posits that observation creates reality. Prior to measurement, no state is fixed, and nothing can be said to exist. If that is true, and if machine observations can fix reality as well—and given that AI systems’ observations come with superhuman rapidity—the speed of the evolution of defining reality seems likely to accelerate. The dependence on machines will determine and thereby alter the fabric of reality, producing a new future that we do not yet understand and for the exploration and leadership of which we must prepare.”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/chatgpt-heralds-an-intellectual-revolution-enlightenment-artificial-intelligence-homo-technicus-technology-cognition-morality-philosophy-774331c6

My larger consciousness- portal experiences:

1/ Isolated in woods, sadness, followed by instantaneous persona bankruptcy releasing the being before I had a name. Fear moved the being back to taking on components of the persona. Try to repeat similar situation again to release being and stay longer.

2/ Solo in wilderness for 3 days without any human artifacts (planes in the sky, things on the ground). Next, clues of time drop away(is it 2023 or 1423?), then unexpected and instantly, consciousness bursts with energy/creativity as brain activity supporting persona in a culture is no longer needed.

Best to both of you.

By: George Choy

George Choy — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 04:54:23 +0000

Great episode with Donald Hoffman. I listened to it twice and bought Donald’s book afterwards. I’d love more episodes like this.

By: Sanjay Kumar

Sanjay Kumar — Tue, 03 May 2022 13:05:19 +0000

Hello Tim,

For a better understanding of consciousness or to add to Donald Hoffman’s explanation, please also read the article titled “Proof of the Existence of God” by Professor Subhash B Kak written in the Medium.com website. What Dr. Donald Hoffman is trying to say has been said in the Hindu Vedic literature for over several millenia. Listening to the Vedanta Society of NY discourses on Vedanta by Swami Sarva Priyananda, etc would also help. Physical reality is an appearance in Consciousness. It is created in Consciousness, sustained in Consciousness and will dissolve back into consciousness. Consciousness is not created by the brain or other human parts.

By: John Chadderton

John Chadderton — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 04:30:51 +0000

The Japanese Buddhist monk, Eihei Dogen, founder of the Soto Zen tradition, observed, “To study the Buddha Way is to study the self; to study the self is to forget the self; to forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the body and mind of others drop away. No trace of realization remains and this no trace continues endlessly.” This insight seems to concisely capture much of this discussion’s points and observations. A strong finger, pointing at the moon … and perhaps a pathway forward?

By: compgumby

compgumby — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:04:55 +0000

By far, this has been the most paradigm shifting podcast I’ve ever heard. A lot of stuff clicked for me listening to this. I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon this. Thank you, Tim and Donald, for bringing this out to a wider audience. I have work to do. 🙂

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 07:46:44 +0000

Although a little hard to follow, this was a very interesting interview, even if I have my doubts about his ideas. At one point Mr. Hoffman, if I heard correctly, said that near-death experiences are just mis-firings in the brain. A ton of research has been done in this area that would say otherwise.

I recommend reading a book called Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander. The near-death experience happened to the author and he is a neurosurgeon. So, difficult to dismiss what he has to say on the subject.

By: John Wolf

John Wolf — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 03:59:08 +0000

My favorite episode of the year ! I have listened 5 times now. One can jump in at any point and be mesmerized. Donald’s curiosity is encouraging. We are at a fascinating culmination of technological breakthroughs and neurological discovery. I’m very enthusiastic about the next wave of discoveries in consciousness. Thank u

By: David Wood

David Wood — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 16:32:40 +0000

In reply to David Wood. I forgot to add, much of the discussion reminded me of Dr Iain McGilchrist’s new masterpiece, “The Matter with Things”.

By: David Wood

David Wood — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 23:06:26 +0000

I’ve been a follower for quite a number of years and maybe responded briefly a couple of times. However, your discussion with Professor Hoffman was a revelation, an absolutely brilliant and riveting two hours.
Thank you.