Is your mind just a parasite on your physical body?
bigthink.com
A new science fiction novel does a masterful job of crafting a narrative from an idea long discussed in philosophy: Is the mind needed?

Blindsight is a unique kind of first-contact novel. Its focus is not on humanity’s first meeting with an alien civilization, but rather that this civilization is highly intelligent, yet lacks consciousness.

  • What if intelligence can thrive without consciousness?

  • What if there is nothing special about self-awareness?

  • What if it is just evolutionary dead weight, bound to disappear soon?

The idea rests on machine metaphors for life and mind, which strike this columnist as profoundly mistaken.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48484.Blindsight

Blindsight Sci-fi Short Film - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkR2hnXR0SM

The Horrible Truth About Consciousness | Blindsight

  • .Donuts@lemmy.world
    2·
    17 days ago

    I received the book as a gift over Christmas (based on this post!) and I finished it recently. Thanks for the recommendation, it was an excellent read.