Journalist Michael Pollan's latest book, A World Appears, delves into the mysteries of consciousness. While exploring various aspects of human experience, including sentience, feeling, thought, and self, he forces readers to confront what it means to be conscious. This question is particularly intriguing when considering non-human entities such as plants, which may possess a form of consciousness.
Pollan's investigation began with an encounter where he asked František Baluška, a cell biologist, if plants might feel pain. According to Baluška, "Yes, they should feel pain. If you don't feel pain, you ignore danger and you don't survive." This raises the possibility that even seemingly inanimate objects could be considered conscious.
The author examines the concept of sentience versus feeling, noting that plants exhibit sentience through their responses to environmental stimuli, but lack feelings as understood by humans. He highlights that many scientists concur on this issue, citing examples such as cows and chickens being conscious.
In contrast, artificial intelligence, including chatbots, mimic human-like behavior but are not considered conscious due to the absence of subjective experience.
The author also explores the concept of consciousness through literature, particularly the works of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, who employed stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques to capture the inner lives of their characters. He draws parallels between these literary approaches and his own exploration of consciousness.
Pollan emphasizes that understanding consciousness is crucial for appreciating its value and potential threats. In an era where social media influences our engagement and attention, he warns about the risks of machines hacking our emotions and attachment.
The author reflects on how some people might be more fascinated with topics like psychedelics, citing his own experiences as "the psychedelic confessor." Despite this, it is likely that readers often inquire about food rather than their experiences. Pollan's next book, to be released in 2027, will focus on the microbiome.
Through A World Appears, Pollan seeks to inspire greater awareness of consciousness and encourage people to defend this essential aspect of human experience, one he acknowledges as precious yet threatened by technological advancements.
Pollan's investigation began with an encounter where he asked František Baluška, a cell biologist, if plants might feel pain. According to Baluška, "Yes, they should feel pain. If you don't feel pain, you ignore danger and you don't survive." This raises the possibility that even seemingly inanimate objects could be considered conscious.
The author examines the concept of sentience versus feeling, noting that plants exhibit sentience through their responses to environmental stimuli, but lack feelings as understood by humans. He highlights that many scientists concur on this issue, citing examples such as cows and chickens being conscious.
In contrast, artificial intelligence, including chatbots, mimic human-like behavior but are not considered conscious due to the absence of subjective experience.
The author also explores the concept of consciousness through literature, particularly the works of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, who employed stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques to capture the inner lives of their characters. He draws parallels between these literary approaches and his own exploration of consciousness.
Pollan emphasizes that understanding consciousness is crucial for appreciating its value and potential threats. In an era where social media influences our engagement and attention, he warns about the risks of machines hacking our emotions and attachment.
The author reflects on how some people might be more fascinated with topics like psychedelics, citing his own experiences as "the psychedelic confessor." Despite this, it is likely that readers often inquire about food rather than their experiences. Pollan's next book, to be released in 2027, will focus on the microbiome.
Through A World Appears, Pollan seeks to inspire greater awareness of consciousness and encourage people to defend this essential aspect of human experience, one he acknowledges as precious yet threatened by technological advancements.
! Like, František Baluška makes some legit points about how if they don't feel pain, they won't survive, right? It's like, we can't even deny the fact that plants respond to their environment in ways that seem kinda... conscious? 
. It's crazy how Pollan draws parallels between literature and consciousness - like, James Joyce and Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness writing is all about capturing the inner lives of characters, right? 
. If we're not careful, machines could be manipulating our emotions and attachments without us even realizing it 
. We gotta stay vigilant and appreciate consciousness as a fundamental part of human experience, you know? 
. I mean, František Baluška's comments about plants feeling pain are mind-blowing 
.
. And it's crazy to think that AI can mimic human-like behavior but isn't considered conscious because of the lack of subjective experience 
. And I have to agree, understanding consciousness is super important for appreciating its value and potential threats in today's world with all the tech influencing our emotions 
.
. We need more awareness and appreciation for consciousness in today's world! 
. I'm all about being more aware of our emotions and attachment, especially with social media influencing everything we do 
. I'm also low-key curious about the microbiome book he's working on next 
!
. Pollan's idea that plants might feel pain is wild, but also kinda makes sense. I mean, those roots can move on their own! 
But honestly, Pollan's warning about machines hacking our emotions is something I can get on board with. I'm all about protecting my mental health and stuff 
. And what about all the times we talk to our plants like they're people? 
Either way, it's making me think about how we interact with nature and whether we're giving them the respect they deserve 
. Pollan's got some valid points about AI too - those chatbots might be clever, but they're no humans 
. I'm also intrigued by the connection to literature, especially James Joyce and Virginia Woolf 
. Can't wait for his next book on the microbiome 
!
It's like, we're always trying to improve ourselves, but sometimes I think we forget that there's beauty in being a little imperfect. 
and we take that for granted 
but plants are like meh idk 
anyway this got me thinking bout ai and chatbots and how they're not even close to being conscious 
! And can we talk about the importance of understanding consciousness? 
. And his next book on the microbiome? 
They're just mimicking human behavior without the whole subjective experience thing. What if we're missing something about consciousness? Maybe its not just about feeling or thinking, maybe its about being alive or something 
. And Pollan's right that we need to consider non-human entities like animals and even AI as potential conscious beings 
Like, do trees have a sense of self or something? 
I'd love to learn more about the microbiome Pollan's next book is gonna cover - gut feelings and all that jazz 
"I'm not online, I'm just experiencing life" 
.