Anil Seth, a Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, explores the tantalizing but elusive idea of uploading consciousness. Alongside Douglas Rushkoff, a Professor of Media Theory, they delve into what immortality might mean for our humanity. Topics include the profound implications of transferring identity, the misconceptions of transhumanism, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding digital consciousness. The discussion emphasizes staying grounded in the present while questioning the essence of who we truly are in an increasingly digital world.
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Brain vs. Body
A brain kept alive outside the body, with sensory input, could still have conscious experience.
Being alive is a property of the whole body, distinct from consciousness.
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Uploading Consciousness
Uploading consciousness is less feasible than a brain transplant, as brains aren't computers.
Consciousness might depend on our biological makeup, not just information patterns.
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Copied Consciousness
A copied consciousness would be a reproduction, not the original you.
Your consciousness would stay with your dying body; the upload is a copy.
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In 'Being You: A New Science of Consciousness,' Anil Seth presents a radical new theory of consciousness, arguing that we are 'prediction machines' constantly inventing and correcting our perception of the world. The book delves into the biological mechanisms of the brain, exploring how billions of neurons create our conscious experience. Seth discusses the 'controlled hallucination' viewpoint, active inference, and the 'beast machine' theory, which views consciousness as a process of regulating the body's essential variables through interoceptive signals. The book is a synthesis of philosophy, science, literature, and personal experience, making complex science accessible and engaging[1][3][5].
Survival of the Richest
Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires
Douglas Rushkoff
The concept of eternal life is a long-standing fantasy in science fiction, but will it ever be possible to upload our consciousness to an external host – or even a robot? Will there be a day when we can upload the very essence of our being, the things that make us human, into some kind of machine? And if we could, what would it do to our humanity?
To find out, Emma Kennedy is joined by Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and Douglas Rushkoff, Professor of Media Theory and Digital Economics at the City University of New York, Queens College.
WHY? is presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production and theme music by Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by James Parrett. Additional music is from Artlist.io. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.
Why? with Emma Kennedy 
