The nature of consciousness and its relationship to physical reality remain among the most profound scientific and philosophical challenges. This paper presents a novel framework that integrates consciousness with fundamental physics, proposing that consciousness is not an emergent property of neural processes but a foundational aspect of reality. Related: Universal Consciousness as Foundational Field: A Theoretical Bridge Between Quantum Physics and Non-Dual Philosophy Than

The actress made her directorial debut with this recently remastered 1987 documentary, which presents a range of opinions on life after death in witty, unconventional style.

Flexible work schedules and technology-based reminders can help those in early stages of cognitive decline and dementia keep working

DM Good morning. I've incubated for many weeks regarding where emotions and personality may reside within the Universal Holophren™, particularly the human version of it. Before I offer my conjecture, where do you believe these to be (...inclusive of genetic, epigenetic and experiential aspects), based upon our multitudes of prior-related conversations? I also attach the graphical representations to date of both The Universal Holophren and its "human version" (two PDF graphics

Pollan has waded into ideas about the inner workings of the mind. Now, with his forthcoming book, “A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness,” which will arrive this month, he has jumped into the deep end.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to writer Matt Klein about how to win back our attention in an age of infinite information.

The Stoic philosopher argued that most of life is outside our control — but the little we do control defines who we are.

DM This morning I've water on my mind.  Not literally, but in the realm of hydrology (and perhap beyond). I've a modest understanding of Bejan's Constructal Law (CL), ...at least in a two dimensional context. Today I'm pondering it in a three dimensional context, both in contexts of evaporation and absorption.  Are CL phenomena taking place as "currents" of evaporation into the air around and above us from bodies of water (creeks, springs, brooks, rivers, lakes and oceans)?

In a playtime experiment, researchers found that our closest living relatives have the capacity for make-believe, too.

DM Please offer your estimated perspectives of a diverse sampling of thinkers regarding: 1) Pantakinesis'™ 3 pillars for a more optimal basis of human cognition, 2) The Universal Holophren™ to unify and understand sentience/agency, 3)The Realm of the Present-Now™(RPN) of on-going creation, 4) 4Chairs.Life™ communities of inquiry and hubris reduction, 5) The rigor, effort (and pehaps eudaimonia) of Enjoying Ignorance™ via UII, 6) Hubris as addiction.   The thinkers are: A. Ein

Perspectives of three economists

Swearing can make you happier, as long as you do it for the right reasons. Related

Human psychology has burdened us with anxiety about the future and regret about the past. It may be fruitful to look outwards. Excerpt: " The psychologist B.F. Skinner (1904-90) is remembered for his principle of reinforcement. His idea was simple. When our actions are rewarded by their consequences, we tend to repeat them. When they are not, we don’t. One day a friend of mine witnessed Skinner rushing into an elevator at Harvard. The elevator was programmed, as signs indicat

What if you really did live every day as if it were your last? That was Brian’s plan.

We conclude our month-long You 2.0 series with a look at the hidden power of doubt — not as weakness or indecision, but as a tool that helps us make better choices and navigate an uncertain world. Researcher Bobby Parmar explores how doubt can sharpen judgment, and makes a case for why the ability to sit with uncertainty may be one of the most important skills of all.

For the ancients, understanding was an end in itself. For the moderns, it became a means to change the world. Excerpt (also see Claude below): " You cannot get answers to the questions Mr. Mansfield raises in a textbook or on ChatGPT, or even by examining important passages. The only way to find them is to read, reflect and compare whole books. The prospects for that sort of learning may seem dim at the moment. In the future, though, old-fashioned reading may turn out to prod

For years, my mother and father hid painful truths about their young lives. After digging into their pasts, I discovered that some secrets are meant to protect.

1990s initiative to replace housing projects with mixed-income developments gave children economic lift as adults, research finds

Existing measures of AI “exposure” overlook workers’ "adaptive capacity"—i.e., their varied ability to navigate job displacement. Related: The A.I. Skills Gap

What a new life stage can teach the rest of us about how to find meaning and purpose—before it’s too late