TED Talks Daily Being You: A New Science of Consciousness | Anil Seth
39 snips
Aug 9, 2022 
Neuroscientist Anil Seth, acclaimed for his insights on consciousness, joins science curator David Biello to delve into the nature of self and reality. He presents his theory that our brains act as prediction machines, shaping our perceptions and identity. The conversation questions traditional views of consciousness, suggesting it’s a dynamic construction rather than a passive experience. Additionally, Seth explores the implications of these ideas for artificial intelligence and our understanding of consciousness across different life forms.
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Self as Perception
- The self is not an entity but a collection of perceptions.
- These perceptions are brain-based best guesses, controlled hallucinations tied to the world.
Perception as Inference
- Sensory signals are ambiguous; the brain infers the world through best guessing.
- Our perception is an active construction, not a passive reception, like Plato's cave.
Controlled Hallucination
- The brain predicts sensory signal causes; the signals act as error correction.
- This "controlled hallucination" is not arbitrary but grounded in reality's usefulness.
