A confounding new book about consciousness

After writing a book, what if the author wonders if he knows less than when he began his research? Apparently this happens when the subject of the book is consciousness. The book is “A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness” by American journalist Michael Pollan. Although confounding, this is an important book. And after he finished the book, Pollan started exploring an increasingly critical question. In today’s world of distractions, how can we safeguard and nourish our consciousness?

Michael Pollan has written 10 books — mostly about plants, food and eating. His new book and his previous ones are all at the Brandon Public Library.

Eight years ago, Pollan wrote a book about psychedelics, “How to Change Your Mind.” I reviewed it here. Pollan looked at how the field of psychedelics is undergoing a sea change. Once stigmatized, these substances are now considered to have value. They could expand our knowledge. They could treat concerns such as trauma, depression and addiction. And they could enhance the minds of the well.

“How to Change Your Mind” highlighted on-going efforts and also constructed an intellectual platform that bolstered further research and experimentation. Today, psychedelics continue to gain respectability and legality.

“A World Appears” grew out of his earlier work. We can begin by asking: what is consciousness? This turns out to be a tricky question. As Pollan reports, scientists and philosophers “don’t agree on what they mean by the word ‘consciousness’ or on what, exactly, they are trying to explain.”

To think about consciousness, we can employ terms like “awareness” or “subjective experience.” Pollan references a philosophical analysis that frames the difficulties in studying consciousness. Although there are some “easy” problems, there is one “hard” problem.

The easy problems of consciousness research include examining mental processes like learning, memory and perception.

The hard problem of consciousness, Pollan writes, is “the puzzle of why any of these mental operations are accompanied by any conscious experience whatsoever.” In other words, why does consciousness exist at all? Or something like that – it’s complicated!

Pollan discusses interesting research into consciousness outside of humans. Some other mammals and creatures such as octopuses are probably conscious. But what about others?

The research findings, Pollan reports, are “mind-blowing.” Studies show that plants can learn and form memories. Even basic forms of life, such as bacteria, move toward food and away from danger. As one scientist told Pollan: “These simplest of organisms are experiencing, feeling, detecting and interpreting events; modifying their behaviours; recalling past experiences; and making choices.”

Impressive. But are plants or bacteria conscious? An even crazier idea: are non-living things conscious? Pollan remains open minded.

“A World Appears” could play a similar role among the citizenry that “How to Change Your Mind” has played. His new book summarizes the current research and provides a springboard that could prompt tackling related concerns.

Pollan touches on the intriguing question of whether artificial intelligence can be conscious. Appearing on the podcast “Making Sense,” he speculates that this argument about AIs might not even matter. “We already believe they’re conscious,” he says. “And they will convince us they’re conscious. It is in their interest to convince us they’re conscious.”

Pollan was surprised how frequently the topic of psychedelics came up during his research. The academics he interviewed kept recounting their own psychedelic trips. And how much those experiences shaped their understanding.

After Pollan’s book was published, discussions with readers sparked a new avenue of interest. Our consciousness is being assaulted by forces like social media algorithms, chatbots and poisonous civic discourse. What about paying attention and defending against these distractions? As Pollan asks on the podcast, “If there’s consciousness pollution, what does consciousness hygiene look like?”

Reclaiming, protecting and nurturing our consciousness is becoming a vital challenge. Pollan mentions psychedelics and meditation as ways to fortify and enrich ourselves.

Pollan found the result of his project a bit disconcerting. “After my five-year journey into the nature and workings of consciousness, I somehow knew less than I did when I started.” Let’s hope that his worry motivates him to keep looking into this fascinating topic.

I am enjoying listening to the author as a podcast guest where he reflects on “A World Appears.” Perhaps Pollan can channel that energy and freshness into his future explorations. When the author is writing, he can get bogged down. But when Pollan is talking, he comes alive.