[amthewiz]

The conference sounds like a nightmare for serious scientists and philosophers. Consciousness is a broad term with lots of nuances - (https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2018/entries/consciou... presents a good summary). Following unconventional and novel approaches to understanding consciousness are fine, but the Deepak Chopra style dancing on the linguistic vagueness is infuriating. I am glad I did not attend this conference and instead opted to present some ideas at ASSC conference later this month.

[Latteland]

Thanks for the link. It reminded me of an idea I'd heard before, that some speculate there was no consciousness until Hellenic times. I find that idea absurd and even offensive. I believe and we have evidence to support that we are really not that different than people in ancient times, with the same drives for violence, happiness, children, nurturing, trying to understand the universe. To think that until that time people didn't wonder about their place, or try to figure out what the world might mean and ponder the self. It has just struck me as the most amazing, unfair world view that we are better in the modern world, smarter, etc.

[mistermann]

Wondering if you might offer some advice:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17274812