Donald Hoffman on Reality, Consciousness, and Conscious Agents | Closer To Truth Chats

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  • Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
  • Donald Hoffman discusses the nature of reality, what is real, his theory of consciousness, and how this theory affects everything from artificial intelligence to alien life and the Fermi Paradox.
    Donald Hoffman's Website: www.cogsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/
    Follow Donald Hoffman on Twitter @donalddhoffman
    Donald D. Hoffman is Professor of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine and author of Visual Intelligence: How We Create What We See and coauthor of Observer Mechanics: A Formal Theory Of Perception.
    Watch more Closer To Truth interviews with Donald Hoffman: bit.ly/3lyENwa
    Register for free at closertotruth.com for subscriber-only exclusives: bit.ly/2GXmFsP
    Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.
    © 2020 Closer To Truth

КОМЕНТАРІ • 835

  • @Boudica234
    @Boudica234 2 роки тому +7

    The interaction between Robert and Don around the 18 minute mark is so damn good. Robert asks 2 profound questions concerning Don's theory and Don addresses them honestly and precisely. This conversation is on such a high level. Amazing.

  • @robotaholic
    @robotaholic 3 роки тому +53

    I like his humility- the very spirit of true science.

    • @WindmillJazz
      @WindmillJazz 3 роки тому +2

      well said, it think absolutely the same. True scientists know that we know very little about true reality.

    • @arpitthakur45
      @arpitthakur45 2 роки тому +1

      disagree...

    • @MattAngiono
      @MattAngiono 2 роки тому +1

      It's even more refreshing after listening to so many public figures during these past two years...
      If only every scientist had this level of humility

    • @arpitthakur45
      @arpitthakur45 2 роки тому

      @Pea4Brain so if he was not humile he is not a scientist?

    • @arpitthakur45
      @arpitthakur45 2 роки тому

      @Pea4Brain explain humility?

  • @kafkaten
    @kafkaten 3 роки тому +35

    I remember a few years ago when Hoffman first appeared on this show. Robert seemed very unimpressed with his theory. I'm glad to see him back - Hoffman's book was a fascinating read!

    • @gfujigo
      @gfujigo 3 роки тому

      Which book?

    • @nahbro5369
      @nahbro5369 3 роки тому +2

      @@gfujigo The Case against Reality. It’s quiet good. Especially the chapter titled Gravity.

  • @johntexas8417
    @johntexas8417 3 роки тому +71

    Started following Hoffman ~6 mos ago. Great interview

    • @tinchin714
      @tinchin714 3 роки тому +5

      Me too same.. from India 👍🏻

    • @johntexas8417
      @johntexas8417 3 роки тому

      @freedomclubLX
      Super, I will. Thank you friend
      🙋‍♂️🤠🇺🇲

    • @TheJberrie
      @TheJberrie 3 роки тому +1

      freedomclubLX Totally! “More Than Allegory” is a great book.

    • @gfujigo
      @gfujigo 3 роки тому

      freedomclubLX Bernardo Kastrup is brilliant, tons of insights.

    • @theliamofella
      @theliamofella 3 роки тому +1

      He gives great food for thought

  • @Diggs4ever
    @Diggs4ever 3 роки тому +87

    What a great channel this is. You ask the things everyone wants to know.

    • @obedientconsumer5056
      @obedientconsumer5056 3 роки тому +2

      Not enough people sadly. Lot of selfabsored people out there that are more interested in superficial crap.

    • @cosmob.4895
      @cosmob.4895 3 роки тому +3

      @@obedientconsumer5056 Part of me is more envious of those who aren't worn down by these kinds of thoughts though! I think it is okay for people to find joy in the simplicity, it sounds like a lovely way to live

  • @mj4ever001
    @mj4ever001 Рік тому +4

    I knew Robert would ask tough questions, i watched a ton of his videos, he explored this problem from every angle, and talked to the brightest people on the planet!

  • @soundinducedflow
    @soundinducedflow 3 роки тому +23

    I’ve been trying to understand the interface theory for months and finally found an interviewer that helped me on my way with his questioning style. Thank you ;)

    • @snap-off5383
      @snap-off5383 2 роки тому

      Science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard wrote interface theory into Scientology.

    • @ZalexMusic
      @ZalexMusic 2 роки тому +1

      @@snap-off5383 hitler drank water

    • @snap-off5383
      @snap-off5383 2 роки тому +1

      @@ZalexMusic The topic we're actually talking about, "interface theory" is what the core of Scientology is based upon. My comment is not random, it is pertinent to the topic. I'm sorry you missed that _obvious_ pertinence.

    • @samirjiries2353
      @samirjiries2353 Рік тому

      ​@snap-off5383 is very interesting to know.

  • @edster9743
    @edster9743 3 роки тому +10

    this was one of the most awesome conversations I have been privileged to listen to in my whole entire life

  • @chewyjello1
    @chewyjello1 3 роки тому +11

    Love the art in Robert Lawrence's background!

  • @elliottmaldonado8301
    @elliottmaldonado8301 2 роки тому +3

    Two brilliant people having a brilliant conversation!!!!

  • @theliamofella
    @theliamofella 3 роки тому +15

    Donald Hoffman has given me huge food for thought with his theory, wether it be correct or not

    • @snap-off5383
      @snap-off5383 2 роки тому +1

      Want more? L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology is rife with interface theory, and similar postulates. Just read though, don't join.

  • @shoaibakramchaudhary
    @shoaibakramchaudhary 3 роки тому +6

    I suggest pursuing conscious as the only dimension giving birth to time and space..where time and space are revolving around the conscious dimension..evolving over the life span of the individuals and collapsing upon death. Hoffman is a great scholar with an immense grip over Physics, biology and computer science all emulgamating in the his research.. hats off

  • @undernetjack
    @undernetjack 3 роки тому +23

    It is quite refreshing to have such a high caliber host, able to ask relevant intelligent questions, add above par commentary and discernment to the topic cogently and dynamically. Kudos and thanks to Mr. Kuhn. +1 Subbed, liked and bell rung.

    • @notexactlyrocketscience
      @notexactlyrocketscience 3 роки тому +3

      Been listening to this series for years now. He is smarter than most people he interviews because his horizon is far wider, especially true this time. (As usually the case with mystics and theologians) Hoffman flounders but Robert stays polite but firm after presenting two death blows.

    • @areezmody6916
      @areezmody6916 Рік тому +1

      It is a rare occurrence indeed when Kuhn (the interviewer) fails to outshine the interviewee in his clarity, breadth, insight, honesty, and sometimes (alas) even plain old common sense. Especially in regards to consciousness: where everyone - except Kuhn! - seems to have settled for something or the other as the explanation closer to the truth.

    • @joeyandthenews
      @joeyandthenews Рік тому

      😮😅

    • @joeyandthenews
      @joeyandthenews Рік тому

      @@areezmody6916 oobob

    • @samirjiries2353
      @samirjiries2353 Рік тому

      Dr. Hoffman is breaking new grounds, where the gods may reside, where all was once magic, but now may become our new reality. How exciting this time of AI, computers, physics, and philosophy is and how lucky we are to be living now to witness this.

  • @trippyabsolute
    @trippyabsolute Рік тому +1

    The biggest question for me is how Closer To Truth isn't ten times bigger than it is. Such an underrated channel!

  • @RaptureReady2025
    @RaptureReady2025 3 роки тому +43

    This is unbelievable! Amazing succinct interview, smart challenging questions. Hoffman is brilliant. Reminds me of the scene in Terminator where Kyle is being interrogated by the detectives and they obviously don’t believe he’s travelled from the future but he answers all of their questions with such internal consistency that they can’t fault him ... but they conclude he’s crazy and in reality Kyle actually is from the future and has a handle on true reality!!! Clearly Hoffman’s thought deeply about everything.
    I love the headset analogy. This is progress from the hard problem of consciousness. One question I had from earlier on is “would a NON-uniform probability distribution materially change the theory?” Secondly, is this similar to “are we living in a simulation?”
    Keep up the awesome contribution to both these gentlemen!! 👏👏👏👍🏼✊🤔😀

    • @PetraKann
      @PetraKann 2 роки тому +1

      Utter nonsense

    • @asegal4677
      @asegal4677 Рік тому

      No, Hoffman's arguments are entirely self-defeating.

  • @kentheee2
    @kentheee2 3 роки тому +24

    Very thought-provoking. I find it interesting that the theory that we only perceive an interface rather than reality itself is basically putting us back in the platonic cave looking at shadows.

    • @salman99822
      @salman99822 2 роки тому

      Uiu UI I ou I I I uuuuu ouuuio I I I I I uiuuuuuuuu uouuui uiiuuuuuuuuuuiuuuuuuuuuuiuuuu I uuuu u uuuuuu I u I iuiuuuuuu u I I u I iui I tt

    • @joshuahutt
      @joshuahutt Рік тому +1

      We never left the cave.

    • @jamesbarlow6423
      @jamesbarlow6423 Рік тому +2

      Essentially. But that there is a true world composed of abstract, eternal "forms" beyond that is pure surmising. Rather think of Kant's utterly unknowable "Ding-an-sich."
      When you think about it and, given we are capable of sensorily absorbing but a fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum, it was presumptuous--albeit 'natural'--of us to have so stridently insisted that things are just as they appear to be thus essentially knowable by us.

    • @joshuahutt
      @joshuahutt Рік тому +1

      @@jamesbarlow6423 I think about that all the time.

    • @jamesbarlow6423
      @jamesbarlow6423 Рік тому +1

      @@joshuahutt . It's pretty amazing

  • @evechad
    @evechad 3 роки тому +50

    "the sun's light when he unfolds it, depends on the organ that beholds it" William blake

    • @m.e.bentoo2271
      @m.e.bentoo2271 3 роки тому +1

      Lovely. Thank you for this quote.

    • @m.e.bentoo2271
      @m.e.bentoo2271 3 роки тому +2

      @Nick Williams natural selection, as I understand it, also leads to multi-combinatorial hit and miss selections, delaying replication and survival. It also degrades the life-info that already exists in the meantime. Above the level of the atom, the universe is grotesquely non-repeating. Long periods of time for selection works against this. This is true in the biosphere.

    • @termikesmike
      @termikesmike 3 роки тому +5

      Zebra Zebra in the Night !
      Do you really have those stripes
      Or might Urizen be
      Traps of thought imprisoning me !

    • @Aluminata
      @Aluminata 3 роки тому +2

      Would that my soul could tranquil stray
      On many a moonlit mountain way,
      By cavernous haunts with ghostly shadows,
      Or thread the silver of the meadows,
      Released from learning's smoky stew
      To lave me in the moonlit dew.
      But, ah, this prison has my soul,
      Damnable, bricked-in, cabined hole,
      Where even the heaven's dear light must pass,
      Saddened through the painted glass...🤔😵🙏😂 Wolfgang Goethe. " Faust"

    • @Aluminata
      @Aluminata 3 роки тому

      The "Grand Theft Auto" steering wheel is just as much a mechanical contrivance as the Rack and Pinion of an automobile.

  • @joeprogrock
    @joeprogrock 3 роки тому +5

    Thank you Robert for providing such high quality documentaries

  • @oliviergoethals4137
    @oliviergoethals4137 3 роки тому +2

    Donald hoffman + rupert spira = future of science

  • @soubhikmukherjee6871
    @soubhikmukherjee6871 2 роки тому +5

    I'm really happy that a brilliant scientist is moving in the right direction.

  • @DurgaDas96
    @DurgaDas96 2 роки тому +2

    Great conversation. I just wish i could figure out what they’re talking about.

  • @SumNutOnU2b
    @SumNutOnU2b 3 роки тому +31

    The question shouldn't be whether or not our perception matches reality. That assumes an all-or-nothing paradigm. The question should be *_to what degree_*_ does it match reality?_ He calculated the percentage chance that we have a 100% match to be zero. Fine, but that doesn't provide a useful result. What are the minimum, maximum, and most likely degrees of error that would still be preferential to the evolutionary process?

    • @2010sunshine
      @2010sunshine 3 роки тому +6

      I agree. I think Hoffman is trying to make simple things complex.

    • @glenemma1
      @glenemma1 3 роки тому +4

      @@2010sunshine I think he is simplifying that which we have complicated.

    • @thomasridley8675
      @thomasridley8675 3 роки тому +7

      It must be pretty damn close or we wouldn't be able to function in it.
      The question i ask all the time. What is the end game ? You have all this going on.
      But apparently no destination we can tell attached to it.
      Wishful thinking ? Based on a biased set of standards ? It does seem that way.
      The brain and the universe have one thing in common. The deeper we look. The deeper it gets.

    • @SandipChitale
      @SandipChitale 3 роки тому +1

      More so if our perceptions contradict what our instruments measure. And we have learned by now our instruments are better that our perceptions. Of course the instruments could have been purposefully tinkered with or may have malfunctioned. Also do our each others perceptions contradict in irreconcilable ways. I am not talking about (optical) illusions and differences of tastes/values among individuals. I am talking about differences between comparative perception of equally healthy human beings. And what we find is that they do not. Otherwise generally speaking restaurants which cook good tasting food would not have (generally) become popular by word of mouth so to speak. I do not see much point of Donald's theories. Especially if they start opening up some mystical notions which allows mischief to be played with.

    • @BANKO007
      @BANKO007 3 роки тому +1

      That was the question. It was the modelling that discovered that we have a 100% match to be zero.

  • @theaviary238
    @theaviary238 3 роки тому +10

    Great interview. You asked all the questions that I wished others who interviewed him would of. 👍

  • @cmacmenow
    @cmacmenow 3 роки тому +5

    Robert, such a deeply engaging and intelligent conversation.
    Thanks for getting Mr Hoffman on, well over due.
    What would really be perhaps an even more fascinating conversation,
    getting Donald and Bernardo Kastrup in the same room!
    Have you interviewed Bernardo Kastrup yet?

  • @XxXLordMetalXxX
    @XxXLordMetalXxX 3 роки тому +20

    Please bring Bernardo Kastrup to the chats! I would love to see Robert and Bernardo doing some metaphysics/philosophy of mind

    • @WindmillJazz
      @WindmillJazz 3 роки тому +2

      Bernardo Kastrup is very intelligent, bus has a lesser skill in talking to new people to this theory. Donald Hoffman can translate the same message to a broader public.

  • @matthewfuller9760
    @matthewfuller9760 3 роки тому +4

    I've watched many interviews of Donald Hoffman and this was the best!

    • @samirjiries2353
      @samirjiries2353 Рік тому

      Yes, but he did a lot more in other interviews. I wish he did more on his meaning for time/space are doomed.

  • @david.thomas.108
    @david.thomas.108 3 роки тому +2

    Excellent interview. Great to hear some more recent Hoffman, thanks.

  • @wayneferguson7326
    @wayneferguson7326 3 роки тому +8

    Quoting from the article linked below:
    "Even if we were to confirm that the spatio-temporal world is a holographic image that reflects some sort of transcendent intelligence/idea/datum, we could still point to (and speak of) the phenomena of biological evolution (as we currently understand it) as having taken place over the last several hundred million years, but we would also subordinate that phenomena to the more precise understanding that the real cause of these apparent processes transcends the flow of appearances in time and space (somewhat as we now subordinate our experience of the rising and the setting of the sun to our more precise understanding of the solar system).
    [NOTE: Immanuel Kant lays the groundwork for this distinction in his discussion of “The Fourth Antinomy” in his Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics:
    Thesis: In the Series of the World-Causes there is some necessary Being.
    Antithesis: There is Nothing necessary in the World, but in this Series All is incidental.
    He concludes the section as follows:
    “…provided the cause in the appearance is distinguished from the cause of the appearance (so far as it can be thought as a thing in itself), both propositions are perfectly reconcilable: the one, that there is nowhere in the sensuous world a cause (according to similar laws of causality), whose existence is absolutely necessary; the other, that this world is nevertheless connected with a Necessary Being as its cause (but of another kind and according to another law). The incompatibility of these propositions entirely rests upon the mistake of extending what is valid merely of appearances to things in themselves, and in general confusing both in one concept.” ]
    Leaving aside the holographic universe, however- along with Kant’s fourth antinomy -let us turn to the hard problem of consciousness which refers to the fact that we cannot seem to arrive at an understanding of consciousness through the analysis of matter and material processes alone. Even Sam Harris- one of the so-called new atheists -acknowledges this problem in his recent work on spirituality without religion, Waking Up:
    “However we propose to explain the emergence of consciousness-be it in biological, functional, computational, or any other terms-we have committed ourselves to this much: First there is a physical world, unconscious and seething with unperceived events; then, by virtue of some physical property or process, consciousness itself springs, or staggers, into being. This idea seems to me not merely strange but perfectly mysterious. That doesn’t mean it isn’t true. When we linger over the details, however, this notion of emergence seems merely a placeholder for a miracle” (56).
    “The fact that the universe is illuminated where you stand- that your thoughts and moods and sensations have a qualitative character in this moment -is a mystery, exceeded only by the mystery that there should be something rather than nothing in the first place” (79).
    jwayneferguson.wordpress.com/2016/05/07/the-cause-in-appearances-vs-the-cause-of-appearances/

    • @mikeharper3784
      @mikeharper3784 Рік тому

      Mr Ferguson. We see cars and houses and say that they are real and part of our conscious reality. We are also smart enough to know that people made them. But when we look at the moon, it is as real as the cars and houses but we are smart enough to know that people didn’t make it. But SOMEBODY did as it is there and we are conscious of it. So WHO made it then ? I believe the answer can be tied to the fact that we are conscious of it and it gives us pleasure in its beauty and wonder. But I don’t the moon looks down upon us and admires us humans. I don’t think it even knows we are here or even that we exist - because it does not appear to be connected to the consciousness that humans have and use to think and imagine and to dream and create and experience and get memories and feelings. All the things (including the moon) that neither science or physics or religion can explain or describe or dissect and put under a microscope or in a mathematical equation. Reading about the sensation of smelling a freshly squeezed lemon will never come close to the actual conscious experience of it. Now consider this: those connected to consciousness are able to experience the universe and appreciate its beauty and wonder. In the same way that those who have consciousness and appreciation of the Mona Lisa, we also appreciate the universe. But rocks and sticks and animals and water and mud never line up to see and stare at the Mona Lisa, or the moon. So that separates everything in the universe to things that are creations and things that create creations and appreciate them through consciousness. So I think that consciousness made the moon. And everything in the universe, including these self replicating biological computers with sensory systems attached that we call human beings. And if you consider the parallels between humans and computers, there are many, and I don’t think it’s just coincidental. And that is probably because they were both made by consciousness. I think we sleep for the same reason we have shut down periods for computers to allow for uploads, downloads and upgrades. And also to let them cool down so that they don’t burn out from continuous use, just like us. If you pull the plug on a computer if will stop working. And if our human biological systems don’t get food water and oxygen, then they will also stop working. Does a computer know that it has been shut off? I don’t think so. It’s not hooked up to consciousness to understand that. And humans can be kept from accepting conscious data when it is given drugs from medical people or from sleeping but we still have an unconscious connection, which is what we call dreams, or hypnotized. And we can wake up from a scary dream that was so realistic that we were tossing and twisting and bolted out of sleep in a quick fright, until we wake up enough to realize we are in bed and not in that scary situation that woke us up. So how are we connected from our human bodies to consciousness. Probably in a similar way that computers and satellites are connected to drones down on earth. So what is the universe? Just a really big and great holographic movie with 3-D effects due to time that moves by us and makes it all seem so real. But how can that all be? Well if you consider that at the other end of consciousness are beings from a higher dimension and not encumbered by time or space, then these lifetimes, which seem to last for years and years, is only a few moments up there. Like an interactive ride at Disneyland. The parallels go on and on and on. Even the speed of light, which is a constant, is parallel to a movie projector that runs at the same constant speed to give the illusion that the pictures are moving and seem so real. And think about this: would you pay money to see a guy with wings playing a harp for an hour and a half or would you rather pay to see The Godfather or Saving Private Ryan. All the killing and madness and drama of this earth can be explained just like a movie, where we know after a scene is on film and the Director is happy, “it’s a wrap!” And all the “dead” actors get up and go to the lunch truck for a drink or snack until the next scene to be filmed. It’s FAKE. We know that when we see a movie but it’s nice to pretend for a few hours and enjoy and appreciate and maybe even love the experience and feelings and the memories it’s gives us. All the things we perceive through these sophisticated “headsets” we call a human body via consciousness, all of which scientists can’t touch or explain but can be taken with us when we leave this theater (universe) we are currently inside of and experiencing. And that’s also the reason you can’t “take it with you when you ‘die’ “ because it was all just an illusion. Otherwise we would see U-Hauls behind every hearse. But the Egyptian Pharaohs tried that and we see how that worked out. Would love to discuss more in greater details. And no, I’m not crazy, my mother had me checked when I was a kid. (Sheldon on Big Bang Theory). 👍

  • @fredlettuce7962
    @fredlettuce7962 2 роки тому +4

    His Lost in our Head Set, theory, is riveting. It dove tails with so many unanswered questions in cosmology, physics, consciousness…I think we’ve all been fooled by our own perceptions

  • @pervertical7
    @pervertical7 3 роки тому +3

    Truly remarkable evidence that shows how conscious process of understanding is far beyond any computation.

  • @jameslovell5721
    @jameslovell5721 3 роки тому +2

    Best channel on UA-cam.

  • @BSwenson
    @BSwenson 3 роки тому +2

    Really great, but short, conversation with Mr. Hoffman. I think his hypothesis on both evolution and consciousness are both groundbreaking and worthy of many years of consideration. Until we have a better understanding of the hard problem of consciousness, science will always have its skeptics that have a loophole back to a God theory. Not that I’m against a God theory...if that really is the truth, then I’d like scientific evidence for it as much as I’d like scientific evidence against it. I like that Mr. Hoffman is going after the hard problem with such fervent vigor and getting humans to think about this in new ways that might move things forward after such a long period of going nowhere really.

  • @patbaptiste9510
    @patbaptiste9510 3 роки тому +1

    The nature of objective reality is *CONSCIOUSNESS* plain n simple.

  • @beefy32
    @beefy32 3 роки тому +14

    Sir Roger Penrose (Stephen Hawkings mentor) and in my book the cleverest man alive stated many years ago that computers will not become conscious, The penrose\hammerhoff objective reduction theory is worth consideration.

    • @___Truth___
      @___Truth___ 3 роки тому +2

      Yes I agree, especially since Orch-OR is a matter of Quantum Biology, & Quantum Biology is truly a growing new field of Biology and Quantum Chemistry

    • @MountainFisher
      @MountainFisher 3 роки тому +1

      I'm a retired biologist and engineer, mostly worked in algaes and fungi in the aerospace field, (think fuel on Mars). I looked at cyanobacteria which are the earliest fossils found at 3.5 billion years ago. I do not think we will create a conscious AI until we can create an artificial DNA with a quadrary system instead of the binary system we have to work with now. I will not say cyanobacteria is conscious, but it has instincts. Inanimate objects do not have instincts or any other type of consciousness, but living organisms do. Chemical actions and reactions are NOT instincts please, unless built into the system by an intelligent organism i.e. a chemist.
      My son is a doctor and has a computer programmer friend who is totally intrigued by my conjectures of making a computer with a quadrary base instead of a binary system. Problem he is having is that he cannot figure out a 4 part system.

    • @beefy32
      @beefy32 3 роки тому +1

      @@MountainFisher Depending on your thinking we come down to the age old debate of whether matter creates mind or does mind create matter. Many scientists are on board with this reality being virtual and created in other. Other as in outside of our reality. In this case we would say mind created matter which would make it impossible to create consciousness as consciousness (other or mind) is the computer that created this reality and is therefore located outside of our existence. If on the other hand matter created mind then conscious computers would be a distinct possibility.

    • @beefy32
      @beefy32 3 роки тому

      @@MountainFisher I forgot to add the perplexing hard problem of consciousness. Even if your idea (looks very interesting!) does create some kind of consciousness proving that consciousness exists is incredibly difficult. We could in theory create a robot with advanced AI which would act just like a human and we would not know if it was human or robot. The hard problem of consciousness needs to be addressed first before we can attempt to create consciousness.

    • @hamid79
      @hamid79 3 роки тому

      @@MountainFisher set of instincts organized and priorotized by intelligence is the consciousness (loop) lead to more complex instinct structures and higher intelligence. The one Cyanobacteria that evolved (mutated) is perceived to be more conscious to it's peers. Thank to their great oxygenation event that has changed the life form as we know it.

  • @juliahartley-barnes975
    @juliahartley-barnes975 Рік тому +1

    I’m a year late, but WOW this discussion was incredible. Mr Hoffman’s ideas about consciousness sounds, or rings, true to me. Somehow I think I understand where he’s going with this. I hope it pans out, I like the idea of unbounded infinite conscious agents. Brilliant! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @steveevans946
    @steveevans946 3 роки тому +2

    At last, a respectful, interesting, even inspiring channel for debate. Excellent.

  • @mauricemeijers7956
    @mauricemeijers7956 3 роки тому +10

    I really like Donald’s theory and his mindset / mentality.

    • @qrious786
      @qrious786 3 роки тому +1

      It's same old theory wrapped in shiny new wrapper. Even ancient theistic texts explicitly say that this "reality" is an illusion akin to smoke.

  •  2 роки тому +2

    Super exciting conversation. Thank you both:

  • @dawid_dahl
    @dawid_dahl 3 роки тому +3

    So happy for this content. Thank you so much!

  • @christophermiller4068
    @christophermiller4068 3 місяці тому

    I just watched Dr Hoffman and I like what I am listening to.

  • @amphimrca
    @amphimrca 3 роки тому +4

    At last..Donald Hoffman 😎
    Thank you

  • @thummareddy5611
    @thummareddy5611 3 роки тому +4

    Amazing interview

  • @tanjohnny6511
    @tanjohnny6511 3 роки тому +2

    Donald is my man.very humble and his analysis i respect alot.🙂

  • @hemant05
    @hemant05 3 роки тому +43

    This theory of consciousness is so much similar to some ancient eastern philosophies(like non - dual vedanta) which claims that (cosmic)consciousness alone is real in the cosmos and everything else, like universes, material world, people, etc, etc are visualized inside of this (cosmic) consciousness. There is a book written over a thousand years ago, exclusively on this topic, 'yoga vasistha' must read, it talks about having infinite number parallel universe, and how at fundamental level of reality, only consciousness is Real.

    • @narmadap3602
      @narmadap3602 3 роки тому

      @activelink activdisc lol

    • @bryanguilford6145
      @bryanguilford6145 3 роки тому +1

      Well this is how it is.

    • @PaulHoward108
      @PaulHoward108 3 роки тому +6

      Conscious entities, not just consciousness.
      The teachings of Yoga-vāśiṣṭha contradicts the possibility of having any experience, even in illusion, and are therefore obviously incorrect. I studied four translations of the Yoga-vāśiṣṭha a quarter century ago before rejecting it in favor of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

    • @undernetjack
      @undernetjack 3 роки тому +1

      Spelling into duckduckgo search bar..." yoga vashistha.." (nod to op,) thank you.

    • @PaulHoward108
      @PaulHoward108 3 роки тому +1

      The Yoga-vāśiṣṭha is mentioned in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
      Advaita Ācārya said. CC Ādi 12.40: "Thus I expounded the Yoga-vāśiṣṭha, which considers liberation the ultimate goal of life. For this the Lord became angry at Me and treated Me with apparent disrespect."
      Http://Www.vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/12
      Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport says,
      "There is a book of the name Yoga-vāśiṣṭha that Māyāvādīs greatly favor because it is full of impersonal misunderstandings regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with no touch of Vaiṣṇavism. Factually, all Vaiṣṇavas should avoid such a book, but Advaita Ācārya Prabhu, wanting punishment from the Lord, began to support the impersonal statements of the Yoga-vāśiṣṭha. Thus Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu became extremely angry at Him and seemingly treated Him disrespectfully."

  • @hmdshokri
    @hmdshokri 3 роки тому +30

    imagine you put away your headset and seeing some aliens standing there laughing at you

    • @donlimuti8659
      @donlimuti8659 3 роки тому +2

      Hmmm, perhaps using DMT (or meditating) is like putting aside your headset? let's hope the aliens are not holding a can of raid. Hoffman is just amazing!

    • @moesypittounikos
      @moesypittounikos 3 роки тому +2

      I've been reading Swedenborg and he says exactly the same thing but he uses the word angels instead of aliens!

    • @nahbro5369
      @nahbro5369 3 роки тому

      Perhaps psychedelics soften the limitations of our consciousness within this reality.

    • @donaldtravis6926
      @donaldtravis6926 3 роки тому

      Guess I’m not smart enough to follow what they are saying

  • @rangerjesse1659
    @rangerjesse1659 3 роки тому

    I have watched many conversations and interviews with Donald Hoffman and this is the best one yet.

    • @b.g.5869
      @b.g.5869 3 роки тому

      If this is him at his best he's in serious trouble.

    • @asegal4677
      @asegal4677 Рік тому +1

      @@b.g.5869 Hoffman is terrible. However, I love this channel in general.

  • @shaynebunton3425
    @shaynebunton3425 3 роки тому +1

    Awesome.. fantastic last question and the answer blows my mind

  • @donalmoriarty2074
    @donalmoriarty2074 3 роки тому +5

    Love these... Brilliant Robert.. Donald

    • @davidmetcalfe151
      @davidmetcalfe151 3 роки тому

      I like all your videos but I think this one has got something to it and I think you probably agree. Thank you. Dave

  • @gergelybolla7857
    @gergelybolla7857 3 роки тому +2

    Great interview, thanks for the upload. I reckon the arrow towards the humanly comprehensible truth about the nature of reality at the moment, is pointing mainly to the intersection of the works of Terence Mckenna, Robert Anton Wilson and Donald Hoffman.

  • @melmill1164
    @melmill1164 3 роки тому

    My dream come true. Thank you Dr. Kuhn. I have been wanting to see you interviewing Dr. Hoffman.

    • @jps0117
      @jps0117 3 роки тому

      They talked a long time ago.

  • @ZalexMusic
    @ZalexMusic 2 роки тому +2

    RLK is a phenomenal mind. DH is a phenomenal mind. Amazing interview. If you're looking for a deep technical analysis of Hoffman's theory, check out his 3 hour interview on Theories of Everything with Curt

  • @davekiss2412
    @davekiss2412 3 роки тому +6

    Waiting years to see you guys chat again.

  • @x2mars
    @x2mars 3 роки тому

    I very much enjoyed listening. I like how you guys talk

  • @solarpoint1
    @solarpoint1 3 роки тому +1

    Interesting and provocative!

  • @markoszouganelis5755
    @markoszouganelis5755 2 роки тому +1

    I make my comment in the first six minutes of this video, because I am very exited and I don't want to loose this feeling! This is a very very interesting theory of reality! Because all our culture is based in the way our mind/brain perceive the world! But we are only humans...

  • @davidsocha8642
    @davidsocha8642 3 роки тому +2

    Please! Speak whit Tom Campbell. Thank you so much both! 👩🏽‍🚀🙈🙉❤️

  • @stephenfisher1425
    @stephenfisher1425 3 роки тому +5

    The last ten minutes of this interview absolutely blew my mind

  • @constructivecritique5191
    @constructivecritique5191 2 роки тому

    I love this pondering. So close to actually seeing.

  • @Electronic424
    @Electronic424 2 роки тому +1

    I loved that segue to Fermi's Paradox

  • @heathenflame
    @heathenflame 3 роки тому +2

    What I want to see in our lifetime is a way to interpret brain activity through scans during sleep to reproduce a dumbed down visual representation of someone's dreams and then use a similar process to find out what is going on during REM sleep that is different from regular dreaming and see if that has a hint behind any other mysteries of the mind or reality and maybe unlock some of the rejuvenative properties of sleep.

  • @beherenowspace1863
    @beherenowspace1863 3 роки тому +1

    Great interview.

  • @jdsood7101
    @jdsood7101 3 роки тому +1

    Donald is a Enlightened being..

  • @kalxite
    @kalxite 3 роки тому +3

    Fantastic, i also think this is somewhat elegant

  • @christophermiller4068
    @christophermiller4068 3 місяці тому

    I just got in studying and meditating and expand open consciousness and it has helped me. I have started meditation and it really helps me. Want to learn more.

  • @MadderMel
    @MadderMel 3 роки тому +1

    You are looking great Robert ! This is my go to channel for interesting and deep conversations !

  • @nigellambert4424
    @nigellambert4424 3 роки тому +1

    Finally got my google settings to allow me to make a comment😏😣 Anyhow.... I’ve been following DH for a few years now and have read many of his papers. I love his approach and presentational style. I think that he’s really onto something and his ideas are for me mind-blowing. This latest video is excellent and gets into more details than some of his earlier ones, which for seasoned followers like me is a bonus. I’m less wedded to his conscious agent theory, but his interface theory of perception is plenty to consider for me and at it’s roots, deeply profound. I struggle to get my head around a few of the concepts. If one could remove our 3D space-time VR headset to reveal “X”, how would we know this was true reality and not the projection of some other VR headset? It could be “headsets all the way down”! Thus while I am happy to accept that what we experience is a representation from our “brain” (this seems to be increasingly mainstream science view), I’m not sure we will ever be able to experience veridical reality. And even if we ever did how would we ever know for sure. It also must be possible that evolution doesn’t function the same in the real world as we understand it in the 3D space time world, which challenges his dependence on evolution game theory. What also keeps me us at night is the notion that we / scientists are using our “brain” to show that our brain is in essence making up reality - trapped inside a skull fed only by electrical impulses. Indeed according to DH our brain itself is only a representation of some thing else in the veridical reality. If we cannot rely on our brain for accuracy, then we’re rather stuck. Finally, in DHs interface world I’m never sure where “the past” fits in? Thinking of a dinosaur bone say, this is but an icon, but for what, if time isn’t real? And all the records we have of historical events, these too are icons in our VR game, but how do they relate to the veridical world? Plenty to meditate upon and looking forward to DH’s next offering.

    • @Adm_Guirk
      @Adm_Guirk 2 роки тому

      I would think as your consciousness evolves then that would necessitate a better VR. The bit size of the interface would keep doubling. The reality files would be less and less compressed. What would be really weird is if the real reality looked like our actual computer desktops. I came to Hoffman after I discovered Hawking's holographic principle. I thought what if everything is occurring on a 2d surface like a computer desktop. The flat earthers may be right after all.

    • @samirjiries2353
      @samirjiries2353 Рік тому

      Great insights. Thanks.

  • @kauxkaux
    @kauxkaux 3 роки тому +3

    Its a crime that this channel is not the No1 channel on youtube.

    • @Ludawig
      @Ludawig 3 роки тому +2

      If that was the case, the world would be in a much better place

  • @dianalillith8729
    @dianalillith8729 3 роки тому +1

    I was waiting for that interview.

  • @jimhale8967
    @jimhale8967 3 роки тому +3

    Started following Dr. Hoffman bout 2 years ago. He reminds me of a Super-dooper Robert Anton Wilson in his "aidingness" in our Quest.

  • @nurk_barry
    @nurk_barry 3 роки тому +4

    Sticking with his video game analogy, the functions in the game (gas pedals, streets and doors etc..) are still necessarily related to the programming so there is some relationship between the UI in the game and the source code that constitutes actual objective reality, in other words we can glean some insight into the source code just by observing how the game works as long as we understand the principles and by which the game works. Somebody recently figured out the code for Mario 64 by writing a program that recreates the C code nearly perfectly by analyzing the game itself. A sophisticated enough AI can certainly figure out the source code without seeing it. I suspect that the physical laws underlying the standard model, quantum theory and gravity can be figured out in a similar way.
    He’s saying that the probability that the game (grand theft auto) is the same as the hardware and software that it runs on is 0, which is true, and that what we see as objective reality has to be an interface between us and the true engine that drives all of physical reality.

  • @suzannesimmons1296
    @suzannesimmons1296 3 роки тому

    Love Donald Hoffman!!

  • @mikes62soupcan
    @mikes62soupcan 2 роки тому

    Amazing, truly amazing, but I still have to go to work tomorrow!

  • @zatoichiable
    @zatoichiable 3 роки тому +1

    Hoffman is very creative.... we are interface of experience of consciousness...

  • @mcnallyaar
    @mcnallyaar Рік тому

    Good stuff!

  • @SB-wu6pz
    @SB-wu6pz 3 роки тому +5

    Consciousness is the king no doubt. It creates a city and people in a jiffy in dream and also in waking state. Space can be compressed and expanded at will. Time can be speeded or slowed..Amazing what it achieves so effortlessly.Then it gets disinterested and lie dormant while sleeping..Amazing..

    • @KasiusKlej
      @KasiusKlej 3 роки тому

      Time cannot be sped up or slowed down at will. It is just your notion that sometimes it flies and sometimes it drags. It is interesting, because without this notion of time, the whole system would be in trouble.
      The system that provides consciousness is actually simple, it is a loop. This loop consists of 5 components, a neural network, a human brain for example, then a thought "let's move a leg", then the leg moves, then our sensors pick up the signal from there and we see the leg has moved, and the signal gets passed to the same neural network, like closing the loop. That is all the necessary machinery for consciousness to arise each morning and turn off to autopilot to save some energy during night. It is amazing it does that. Why don't it just stays awake once it woke up?

  • @richardhill3405
    @richardhill3405 3 роки тому +2

    Does this mean that we must be able to communicate in the objective reality to synchronize our realities and not realize it in the spacetime reality? Assuming there is more than me in the universe.
    Just thinking; In the objective reality, as individual consciousnesses, we could be like a neuron (or a point in time and space) interwoven with others to form a neural network

  • @squareroot1697
    @squareroot1697 3 роки тому +1

    New closer to the truth!

  • @lustxglory
    @lustxglory 3 роки тому

    awesome piece

  • @patrickl6932
    @patrickl6932 3 роки тому +1

    LOVE THIS GUY

  • @Bruhaha9
    @Bruhaha9 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent. I just wish there was follow up on what he meant by new portals into consciousness. Details. Great video though. Thank you.

  • @rusty1here
    @rusty1here 2 роки тому

    Edging closer and closer to The truth “we are three fold beings; physical, spiritual and The unutterable”

  • @mikeheffernan
    @mikeheffernan 3 роки тому +1

    Good stuff! Reminds me of Bohm's Implicate Order/Explicate Order theory.

    • @patmoran5339
      @patmoran5339 3 роки тому

      Anything to avoid Many Worlds Interpretation?

  • @sirsiralot7635
    @sirsiralot7635 3 роки тому +1

    I've been hoping for these two to talk!

    • @jps0117
      @jps0117 3 роки тому +1

      They talked a long time ago.

    • @sirsiralot7635
      @sirsiralot7635 3 роки тому

      @@jps0117 Ohh, I was unaware of this. I will have to look for that, thanks :)

    • @jps0117
      @jps0117 3 роки тому

      @@sirsiralot7635 He was interviewed by RLK in an earlier Closer to Truth segment (they are sitting outdoors in a park). Hoffman has also been interviewed by others (Robert Wright, Michael Shermer)

  • @andymelendez9757
    @andymelendez9757 Рік тому

    Fantastic! The expanded palette of deep sense experience is evidence of a direct connectedness. But how?
    In this realm time is certainly altered as one tends to have precognitive events with some regularity.

  • @Freethinker711
    @Freethinker711 3 роки тому

    Thanks 🙏🏼

  • @devonk298
    @devonk298 3 роки тому +1

    I like the art work on your wall Robert

  • @winterphilosophy3900
    @winterphilosophy3900 3 роки тому +1

    This is the next step in our understanding of the universe. Through the human mind.

  • @ToddSullivanacrowsflying
    @ToddSullivanacrowsflying 2 роки тому +1

    The metaphor he uses of a video game (though why he’s stuck on Grand Theft Auto is curious) is really convincing. A few questions I wish someone would ask him, however:
    1) What does he estimate death is?
    2) How is this different from the, “reality is a simulation”, theory?
    3) Are all living organisms plugged into an interface? Dogs, cats, single-celled organisms, trees?
    In a way, he is basically saying that reality is the Matrix.

  • @daithiocinnsealach3173
    @daithiocinnsealach3173 3 роки тому

    Ooh, ooh, ooh. I was just thinking this week you needed Hoffman on. Please consider having Bernardo Kastrup on at some point. He seems to be gaining popularity fast as a very clear, knowledgable and persuasive Idealist philosopher.

    • @patmoran5339
      @patmoran5339 3 роки тому

      Are you desperate to find something that will allow you to keep your beliefs in the supernatural? I think this is the case. I guess you hate the idea of reality.

    • @Adm_Guirk
      @Adm_Guirk 2 роки тому

      @@patmoran5339 You've been a very naughty boy.

  • @drchaffee
    @drchaffee 3 роки тому +5

    feeding, fighting, fleeing ... mating. Whew, that was close.

  • @alexj9111
    @alexj9111 3 роки тому +10

    I know for sure that reality is holographic, because when i had sleep deprivation things happened that were impossible to explain. I'ts almost like having a computer bug on an online game and nobody else can see it. The brain delay experiment proves that there's a ten second time lag before the brain renders reality, so there must be some truth to it. Great videos, they keep me sane in these crazy times.

    • @ONDONNN
      @ONDONNN 2 роки тому +2

      this is really interesting I experienced it often…is there any more info about it? :D

    • @MicahPotts
      @MicahPotts Рік тому

      I'd like to know what impossible things happened during your sleep deprivation?

  • @teeniequeenie8369
    @teeniequeenie8369 Рік тому

    Brilliant!

  • @JjJj-jo9qo
    @JjJj-jo9qo 3 роки тому +1

    Hoffman is absolutely brilliant ! Most humans don't realize they are living in their own dream !

  • @idrearamacirmtamta1293
    @idrearamacirmtamta1293 3 роки тому +3

    Fabulously brilliant guest!!!
    @RobertLawrenceKuhn please interview another brilliant original thinker (if not a little long winded) Tom Campbell, author of My Big Toe

  • @philippemartin6081
    @philippemartin6081 3 роки тому

    Good Day, my name is Philippe Martin and I discoverd closer to the thrue not to long ago Mr Lawrence you make me whating all of your Deep investigation IT is fantastic. I am my self a "passionnée" about what I call natural perception of the universe. I am a big fan now. 😎

  • @willsmith9357
    @willsmith9357 3 роки тому +4

    D-Hoff’s voice is so soothing, like a sensual robot. Beep boop 😏

    • @WayneJohn-fq6cn
      @WayneJohn-fq6cn 3 роки тому +1

      yeah an arrogant robot lmao sucks when your ego clouds your research hahhahaha just kidding he's cool I think, alright alright im not kidding i mean it im gonna come clean lmao cool waste of time to hear this video i guess, making comments made it worth coming in to watch

  • @MathSpace101
    @MathSpace101 3 роки тому

    Best channel!

  • @dr.satishsharma9794
    @dr.satishsharma9794 3 роки тому +5

    Excellent approach by Distinguished Dr. Donald Hoffman..... but needs one more interview by distinguished Robert L Kuhn( Dr.Robert style questioning) to go in detail clarification about the consciousness , conscious agents & mathematical equation concept...... thanks 🙏.

  • @lisaclausen1502
    @lisaclausen1502 3 роки тому

    Agreed about space time. Nice ideas of alternative descriptive metaphors...

  • @mehdibaghbadran3182
    @mehdibaghbadran3182 3 роки тому

    This, will help you to think about the subjects we compare them together, and force’s us to thinking and finds relatively between spaces and our body’s and earth planet