Michael Levin, a distinguished professor at Tufts University known for his groundbreaking work in developmental biology, and Anna Ciaunica, a cognitive scientist and philosopher from the University of Lisbon, dive deep into the concept of consciousness. They challenge traditional views by proposing that intelligence extends beyond the brain, to single cells and bacterial colonies. The conversation also navigates the interconnectedness of memory and identity, the significance of goals in our self-concept, and how relationships shape our understanding of selfhood.

Dr. Anna Ciaunica, a researcher at the Co-Embodied Self Lab, discusses topics such as proximal experiences, consciousness as not a 'thing,' touch and metacognition, hazards of extending consciousness to other organisms, fixing reification with futuristic articles, rocking babies and stadiums, language and thought across cultures, instrumentalizing depersonalization research, pathology of dissociation, cause for optimism in technofuturism, and male v. female brains investigate.