Lex Fridman Podcast #212 – Joscha Bach: Nature of Reality, Dreams, and Consciousness
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Aug 21, 2021 
Joscha Bach, a cognitive scientist and AI researcher, dives into the depths of consciousness and reality. He explores the nature of free will and how our minds shape our perception of reality through narratives. The discussion delves into dreams and their connection to awareness, suggesting that both dreams and waking life are informed by predictive models. Bach also examines the philosophical implications of consciousness in AI, questioning the distinctions between self-awareness and computational understanding, inviting listeners to ponder their own existence and agency.
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Consciousness as a Control Model
- Joscha Bach believes consciousness is a control model for attention, a monkey on an elephant.
- The elephant represents our deeper selves, while the monkey (consciousness) directs attention, creating an illusion of control.
Definition of Life
- Joscha Bach defines life as biological cells, modular units with DNA, a membrane, and chemical reactions in disequilibrium.
- He argues this definition aligns with pre-cellular understanding of life and death, where cell function is key.
Free Will as a Model
- Free will is a model, a story the system tells itself about being in control.
- This model gets replaced by automatic behavior when the mechanism of action is fully understood, becoming predictable.