Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal Karl Friston on the Perils of Investigations into Consciousness, Derealization, and the Free Energy Principle
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Feb 21, 2022 
Karl Friston, a leading neuroscientist from University College London, dives into the complexities of consciousness and the free energy principle. He discusses the duality of the self and the external world, emphasizing the need for critical engagement when exploring these concepts. Friston shares insights on managing derealization and anxiety, illustrating how our perceptions shape reality. He also covers innovative approaches to understanding evidence and decision-making, bridging neuroscience with practical mental health strategies.
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Free Energy Principle as a Tool
- The free energy principle, applicable to any system, helps identify the most likely dynamics of a process.
- It emphasizes understanding a thing's relationship to everything else by partitioning states into internal, external, and blanket states.
Markov Blankets and Cells
- A cell's Markov blanket defines its boundaries, separating internal states from the external environment.
- Active states, like actin filaments, mediate the cell's influence on its surroundings.
Bidirectional Exchange
- Unlike passive computers, systems following the free energy principle actively select inputs through actions.
- This creates a bidirectional exchange, where actions influence perceptions, and perceptions guide future actions.