Scott McFarnell
@scottmcf.bsky.social
Assistant Headteacher. Interested in how neuroscience can support education.
#EduSky
#EduSky
Great title:
‘Do Dice Play God?’
‘Do Dice Play God?’
February 17, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Great title:
‘Do Dice Play God?’
‘Do Dice Play God?’
If you tried to build a copy of a human that acted exactly as a human would, screamed if they stubbed their toe, laughed at a funny joke, but inside they had no conscious experience (all ‘in the dark’), would that be feasible?
I don’t think the ‘philosophical zombies’ would work
I don’t think the ‘philosophical zombies’ would work
February 17, 2026 at 7:15 AM
If you tried to build a copy of a human that acted exactly as a human would, screamed if they stubbed their toe, laughed at a funny joke, but inside they had no conscious experience (all ‘in the dark’), would that be feasible?
I don’t think the ‘philosophical zombies’ would work
I don’t think the ‘philosophical zombies’ would work
From @hohwy.bsky.social’s new Open Access book on Self-Evidencing:
“Self-evidencing in agents of volatility can plausibly capture subjectivity in conscious experience.”
“Self-evidencing in agents of volatility can plausibly capture subjectivity in conscious experience.”
February 17, 2026 at 5:34 AM
From @hohwy.bsky.social’s new Open Access book on Self-Evidencing:
“Self-evidencing in agents of volatility can plausibly capture subjectivity in conscious experience.”
“Self-evidencing in agents of volatility can plausibly capture subjectivity in conscious experience.”
Reposted by Scott McFarnell
Here is the direct link to the Open Access book. The "book pdf" downloads the whole book, or there are links for individual chapters too.
doi.org/10.7551/mitp...
doi.org/10.7551/mitp...
The Self-Evidencing Agent: Mind, Existence, and Predictive Processing
How the concept of self-evidencing offers a philosophical principle for understanding mind and behavior, consciousness, value, wisdom, and meaning.What is
doi.org
February 17, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Here is the direct link to the Open Access book. The "book pdf" downloads the whole book, or there are links for individual chapters too.
doi.org/10.7551/mitp...
doi.org/10.7551/mitp...
I enjoy generating stuff with AI, but Sam Altman’s right when he said, “We have not yet found a way that people really love watching other people's videos. This is true for a lot of other Al. It's not that compelling for most people to read other people's generation.”
February 16, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I enjoy generating stuff with AI, but Sam Altman’s right when he said, “We have not yet found a way that people really love watching other people's videos. This is true for a lot of other Al. It's not that compelling for most people to read other people's generation.”
Does a rock star have a “self”?
The intense, hyper-aware “I” that shows up on stage in front of 70,000 people?
Is that a permanent entity?
Or is it what the brain does when stakes & uncertainty explode.
Most of the time, is there even a central pilot?
The intense, hyper-aware “I” that shows up on stage in front of 70,000 people?
Is that a permanent entity?
Or is it what the brain does when stakes & uncertainty explode.
Most of the time, is there even a central pilot?
February 16, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Does a rock star have a “self”?
The intense, hyper-aware “I” that shows up on stage in front of 70,000 people?
Is that a permanent entity?
Or is it what the brain does when stakes & uncertainty explode.
Most of the time, is there even a central pilot?
The intense, hyper-aware “I” that shows up on stage in front of 70,000 people?
Is that a permanent entity?
Or is it what the brain does when stakes & uncertainty explode.
Most of the time, is there even a central pilot?
Two-Level Architecture of Consciousness
February 16, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Two-Level Architecture of Consciousness
What is the difference between subjectivity & the subject?
Rather than being 'thinking things' that feel, are we ‘feeling regulators' that occasionally think?
Rather than being 'thinking things' that feel, are we ‘feeling regulators' that occasionally think?
February 16, 2026 at 6:33 PM
What is the difference between subjectivity & the subject?
Rather than being 'thinking things' that feel, are we ‘feeling regulators' that occasionally think?
Rather than being 'thinking things' that feel, are we ‘feeling regulators' that occasionally think?
A Two-Level Theory of Consciousness:
Level 1: Affective Control Awareness
Level 2: Self-Modelling under Uncertainty
Level 1: Affective Control Awareness
Level 2: Self-Modelling under Uncertainty
February 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
A Two-Level Theory of Consciousness:
Level 1: Affective Control Awareness
Level 2: Self-Modelling under Uncertainty
Level 1: Affective Control Awareness
Level 2: Self-Modelling under Uncertainty
If there was a Two-Level theory of consciousness, Level 1 would be affective control awareness: the felt monitoring of whether homeostatic and allostatic regulation is succeeding under uncertainty. Level 2 would be a transient and graded self-model. ‘Zombies’ don’t have either.
February 16, 2026 at 6:06 PM
If there was a Two-Level theory of consciousness, Level 1 would be affective control awareness: the felt monitoring of whether homeostatic and allostatic regulation is succeeding under uncertainty. Level 2 would be a transient and graded self-model. ‘Zombies’ don’t have either.
Why can’t there be philosophical zombies?
February 16, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Why can’t there be philosophical zombies?
Where is consciousness?
Tam Hunt suggests it is in the electromagnetic field. “The Hippies Were Right,” he jokes in a paper. “It's All about Vibrations, Man!”
He likens the spiking neurons to tree trunks in a forest & the EM field to the wind that blows through the leaves.
Tam Hunt suggests it is in the electromagnetic field. “The Hippies Were Right,” he jokes in a paper. “It's All about Vibrations, Man!”
He likens the spiking neurons to tree trunks in a forest & the EM field to the wind that blows through the leaves.
February 16, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Where is consciousness?
Tam Hunt suggests it is in the electromagnetic field. “The Hippies Were Right,” he jokes in a paper. “It's All about Vibrations, Man!”
He likens the spiking neurons to tree trunks in a forest & the EM field to the wind that blows through the leaves.
Tam Hunt suggests it is in the electromagnetic field. “The Hippies Were Right,” he jokes in a paper. “It's All about Vibrations, Man!”
He likens the spiking neurons to tree trunks in a forest & the EM field to the wind that blows through the leaves.
IIT says consciousness is structure.
GWT says consciousness is broadcast.
HOT says consciousness is meta-representation.
PP says consciousness is inference.
But what if consciousness is about affective control under uncertainty?
GWT says consciousness is broadcast.
HOT says consciousness is meta-representation.
PP says consciousness is inference.
But what if consciousness is about affective control under uncertainty?
February 15, 2026 at 4:42 AM
IIT says consciousness is structure.
GWT says consciousness is broadcast.
HOT says consciousness is meta-representation.
PP says consciousness is inference.
But what if consciousness is about affective control under uncertainty?
GWT says consciousness is broadcast.
HOT says consciousness is meta-representation.
PP says consciousness is inference.
But what if consciousness is about affective control under uncertainty?
Billed as “A Mindblowing Conversation About Humanity,” this is an extremely thought-provoking & engaging conversation about @michaelpollan.bsky.social’s new book on consciousness: ‘A World Appears’.
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
A.I. Can Fool Us Into Thinking It’s Human. Now What? - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/video/podcas...
Video: A.I. Can Fool Us Into Thinking It’s Human. Now What?
And if A.I. tells us it is conscious, should we believe it? The writer Michael Pollan dug into those questions and more on “The Interview.”
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Billed as “A Mindblowing Conversation About Humanity,” this is an extremely thought-provoking & engaging conversation about @michaelpollan.bsky.social’s new book on consciousness: ‘A World Appears’.
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
Billed as “A Mindblowing Conversation About Humanity,” this is an extremely thought-provoking & engaging conversation about @michaelpollan.bsky.social’s new book on consciousness: ‘A World Appears’.
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Billed as “A Mindblowing Conversation About Humanity,” this is an extremely thought-provoking & engaging conversation about @michaelpollan.bsky.social’s new book on consciousness: ‘A World Appears’.
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
Includes references to Mark Solms, @drmichaellevin.bsky.social & Antonio Damasio.
@nytimes.com
“You’re not experiencing ‘seeing a house’, you’re experiencing ‘being yourself, seeing a house.’”
Important distinction drawn by @wiringthebrain.bsky.social in this fascinating conversation with Tevin Naidu.
Important distinction drawn by @wiringthebrain.bsky.social in this fascinating conversation with Tevin Naidu.
Does Consciousness Require a Subject? The Self, Agency & AI Limitations www.mindbodysolution.org/kevin-mitche... - really enjoyed this chat with Tevin Naidu! 😊 cc @cdj.bsky.social @anilseth.bsky.social
Kevin Mitchell on Consciousness Explained
Dive deep into consciousness with Kevin Mitchell's insights on agency and AI limitations.
www.mindbodysolution.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM
“You’re not experiencing ‘seeing a house’, you’re experiencing ‘being yourself, seeing a house.’”
Important distinction drawn by @wiringthebrain.bsky.social in this fascinating conversation with Tevin Naidu.
Important distinction drawn by @wiringthebrain.bsky.social in this fascinating conversation with Tevin Naidu.
I feel, therefore I’m conscious.
I doubt, therefore I become a self.
Descartes located certainty in thought.
But is consciousness located in feeling?
And the self in unresolved choice?
I doubt, therefore I become a self.
Descartes located certainty in thought.
But is consciousness located in feeling?
And the self in unresolved choice?
February 14, 2026 at 3:15 AM
I feel, therefore I’m conscious.
I doubt, therefore I become a self.
Descartes located certainty in thought.
But is consciousness located in feeling?
And the self in unresolved choice?
I doubt, therefore I become a self.
Descartes located certainty in thought.
But is consciousness located in feeling?
And the self in unresolved choice?
Are the best scenes in film the silences before the explosions?
When a character stands at a crossroads, knowing that what they choose next will redefine them, is that when we hold our breath?
Not because of what’s happening, but because of what hasn’t happened yet?
When a character stands at a crossroads, knowing that what they choose next will redefine them, is that when we hold our breath?
Not because of what’s happening, but because of what hasn’t happened yet?
February 13, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Are the best scenes in film the silences before the explosions?
When a character stands at a crossroads, knowing that what they choose next will redefine them, is that when we hold our breath?
Not because of what’s happening, but because of what hasn’t happened yet?
When a character stands at a crossroads, knowing that what they choose next will redefine them, is that when we hold our breath?
Not because of what’s happening, but because of what hasn’t happened yet?
Reposted by Scott McFarnell
My review of Michal Pollan's book on consciousness: www.science.org/eprint/FTJG7...
The elusive nature of consciousness
A writer grapples with neuroscience’s hardest problem
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:37 PM
My review of Michal Pollan's book on consciousness: www.science.org/eprint/FTJG7...
Libertarian free will says:
You could have chosen otherwise.
But you did not choose your:
• values
• affective sensitivities
• risk tolerance
• urgency response
• neural architecture
Does choice emerge from a system you did not design?
You could have chosen otherwise.
But you did not choose your:
• values
• affective sensitivities
• risk tolerance
• urgency response
• neural architecture
Does choice emerge from a system you did not design?
February 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Libertarian free will says:
You could have chosen otherwise.
But you did not choose your:
• values
• affective sensitivities
• risk tolerance
• urgency response
• neural architecture
Does choice emerge from a system you did not design?
You could have chosen otherwise.
But you did not choose your:
• values
• affective sensitivities
• risk tolerance
• urgency response
• neural architecture
Does choice emerge from a system you did not design?
Which of these is most characteristic of “AI Slop”:
a) Blue brains
b) White robots
c) Yellow filters
d) Dali-esque images
e) Other (what?)
a) Blue brains
b) White robots
c) Yellow filters
d) Dali-esque images
e) Other (what?)
February 11, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Which of these is most characteristic of “AI Slop”:
a) Blue brains
b) White robots
c) Yellow filters
d) Dali-esque images
e) Other (what?)
a) Blue brains
b) White robots
c) Yellow filters
d) Dali-esque images
e) Other (what?)
If AI had genuine uncertainty and something to lose, would it suddenly develop a self?
Or is selfhood strictly biological?
Or is selfhood strictly biological?
February 9, 2026 at 8:20 PM
If AI had genuine uncertainty and something to lose, would it suddenly develop a self?
Or is selfhood strictly biological?
Or is selfhood strictly biological?
Current AI systems optimize, predict & converse brilliantly, but they have no felt stake in outcomes, no visceral sense of whether their ‘life’ or goals are succeeding or failing. Without that affective grounding and the resulting need for a self under uncertainty, can they ever be truly conscious?
February 9, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Current AI systems optimize, predict & converse brilliantly, but they have no felt stake in outcomes, no visceral sense of whether their ‘life’ or goals are succeeding or failing. Without that affective grounding and the resulting need for a self under uncertainty, can they ever be truly conscious?
What if consciousness and selfhood are not the same thing at all?
One is a continuous background feeling of whether life is going well or badly; the other is an expensive, intermittent ‘you’ that appears only when multiple futures compete and time is running out.
Thoughts?
One is a continuous background feeling of whether life is going well or badly; the other is an expensive, intermittent ‘you’ that appears only when multiple futures compete and time is running out.
Thoughts?
February 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
What if consciousness and selfhood are not the same thing at all?
One is a continuous background feeling of whether life is going well or badly; the other is an expensive, intermittent ‘you’ that appears only when multiple futures compete and time is running out.
Thoughts?
One is a continuous background feeling of whether life is going well or badly; the other is an expensive, intermittent ‘you’ that appears only when multiple futures compete and time is running out.
Thoughts?