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Have you ever questioned the nature of  reality itself? According to cognitive psychologist Donald Hoffman, our perception of reality is just a construct of our consciousness rather than a direct representation of objective reality. This mind-bending concept is at the heart of William Gibson's groundbreaking science fiction novel Neuromancer.

Hoffman's theory of a conscious realism suggests that our senses and perceptions are not designed to give us an accurate representation of the world, but rather to provide us with information that is useful for survival.  In other words, our perception of reality is like a desktop interface on a  computer screen, it's not the underlying code, but it allows us to interact with  the system in a meaningful way.

​Neuromancer takes this idea even further by exploring a future where technology and consciousness have merged blurring the lines between what is real and what is not. The protagonist, Case, is a hacker who is recruited for a dangerous mission in a world where people can enter virtual reality environments and interact with simulated objects and peoples.

In the book Gibson suggests that even our memories and experiences may not be reliable representations of objective reality. Characters enter into virtual reality environments where they interact with simulated objects and people, raising questions about the nature of consciousness and what we perceive as 
real.

It's no surprise that Neuromancer has had such a huge impact on science  fiction, inspiring movies like The Matrix and even Ready Player One. Neuromancer is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of reality and consciousness and a reminder that what we see and experience may not be the whole story.

William Gibson's novel, the Peripheral, represents a more mature and nuanced approach to exploring the themes that Gibson first introduced in Neuromancer. While Neuromancer is considered a classic of the cyberpunk genre, the Peripheral demonstrates Gibson's continued evolution as a writer in his ability to create complex multi-layered narratives. Pick up both books as well as The Case Against Reality by Donald D Hoffman. These books will leave you questioning the nature of reality. 

Thank you for joining us today and we'll see you in the next video.

Stay human!

Today we'll be exploring the incredible science fiction novel "Blindsight" by Peter Watts, and how it delves into the intriguing concept of the Free Energy Principle.

The Free Energy Principle is a neuroscientific theory proposed by Karl Friston, which suggests that living organisms seek to minimize the difference between their expectations and the sensory input they receive from the environment.

In other words, our brains work to minimize free energy in order to efficiently process information and interact with the world around us.

"Blindsight" explores the concept of consciousness and the Free Energy Principle through the eyes of Siri Keeton, a man with a condition called blindsight, which allows him to perceive his surroundings without any conscious awareness.
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Throughout the novel, Siri and his team encounter an alien intelligence that operates on the principles of the Free Energy Principle. The aliens have developed a unique form of consciousness that is vastly different from human consciousness and is based on the idea of minimizing free energy.

"Blindsight" raises fascinating questions about the nature of consciousness, the limits of human perception and understanding, and the possibility of non-human intelligence. It also highlights the ethical implications of interacting with a sentient species that operates on a fundamentally different set of principles.

As you read "Blindsight", you'll be taken on an incredible journey through the depths of science fiction and the complexities of neuroscience. The book provides a thought-provoking and deeply engaging read for fans of science fiction and those interested in exploring the mysteries of consciousness and the human brain.

So, if you're looking for a book that will challenge your thinking and take you on an exciting adventure, then "Blindsight" by Peter Watts is definitely worth a read.

Thank you for joining us today, and we'll see you in the next video.

Stay Human!