Robinson's Podcast 266 - Annaka Harris: The Fundamentality of Consciousness
41 snips
Dec 21, 2025 
Annaka Harris, a New York Times bestselling author and expert on consciousness, dives into the fundamental nature of consciousness. She challenges traditional views and discusses panpsychism, questioning whether consciousness is emergent or a core aspect of reality. Annaka connects consciousness to physics, especially in relation to quantum mechanics and the many-worlds theory. She also explores how artificial intelligence might experience consciousness differently, and the intriguing idea of consciousness solving deep problems in physics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Consciousness As Felt Experience
- Annaka Harris defines consciousness as felt experience, the qualitative 'what it's like' of sensations and inclinations.
- She frames the mystery as why physical processes produce inner experience at all.
Migraines Sparked Lifelong Curiosity
- Harris recounts childhood migraines that sparked her curiosity about the nature and localization of feelings.
- That coping curiosity evolved into a lifelong obsession with consciousness and physics.
Two Blind Starting Assumptions
- Harris says we implicitly assume consciousness either emerges or is fundamental, and both are blind starting assumptions.
- She argues treating consciousness as fundamental is a legitimate scientific starting point to explore.