There are 22 theories of consciousness: Michael Pollan explains why none of them work

Michael Pollan delivers a compelling and accessible overview of the consciousness debate, drawing on his extensive research and interviews with leading scientists. His strength lies in his ability to synthesize complex ideas and present them in an engaging narrative. He accurately represents the current state of the field, acknowledging the proliferation of theories and the lack of consensus. His critique of computational functionalism is well-founded, highlighting the problematic metaphor of the brain as a computer and the inseparable nature of hardware and software in biological systems. Pollan’s emphasis on the embodied nature of consciousness, supported by research on brainstem and body feelings, aligns with contemporary theories like affective neuroscience. However, the talk is primarily an opinion piece rather than a rigorous scientific review. Pollan does not provide detailed evidence or citations for his claims, and he simplifies some concepts for a general audience. The discussion of psychedelics, while interesting, is anecdotal and not central to the scientific argument. The title’s promise to explain why none of the 22 theories work is only partially fulfilled, as he focuses on two main theories and briefly mentions others. Overall, the talk is thought-provoking and informative, but it serves as an introduction rather than a comprehensive analysis. The audience comments reflect appreciation for Pollan’s clarity and the depth of the topic, with some suggesting further philosophical perspectives. The video’s production quality is high, and the content is well-structured. Despite its limitations, it offers valuable insights into the challenges of studying consciousness and the importance of protecting our inner lives.

The title accurately reflects the content, as Pollan discusses the existence of 22 theories and explains why none fully explain consciousness.

8/10

Michael Pollan, a respected journalist and author, provides a well-articulated overview of consciousness theories, drawing on his research and interviews with scientists. He presents multiple perspectives and acknowledges the limitations of current scientific approaches. The content is informative and balanced, though it reflects his personal viewpoint and does not delve into technical details.

• 00:00What is consciousness?
• 01:19From the soul to modern science
• 03:05How psychedelics sparked Michael Pollan's interest
• 04:06The 22 competing theories — and why none fully work
• 08:40The hard problem: how does matter become mind?
• 11:48Is social media hacking your consciousness?
• 12:33Can AI ever truly be conscious?
• 19:14Why mind uploading won't work
• 20:03How to protect your consciousness

• A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness — Michael Pollan's latest book, which explores consciousness and is referenced throughout the talk.
• How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics — Pollan's earlier book on psychedelics, which sparked his interest in consciousness.
• This Is Your Mind On Plants: Opium―Caffeine―Mescaline — Another book by Pollan, mentioned in the description.
• Ri Science Podcast — The Royal Institution's podcast, where similar content may be discussed.
• Editing Ri Talks and Moderating Comments — Information about how the Royal Institution edits talks and moderates comments.
• Donate to the Ri — Support page for the Royal Institution.

• Integrated Information Theory — Pollan describes this theory as one of the leading approaches, though he notes its limitations.
• Global Neuronal Workspace Theory — Another leading theory that Pollan critiques for its lack of explanation of the conscious subject.

• Computational functionalism — Pollan argues against this view, which holds that consciousness can be implemented on any substrate, such as silicon.