EPISODE · Mar 8, 2026 · 2H 24M
#146 The Most Complicated Thing in the Universe: What is the Brain?
from Within Reason · host Alex J O'Connor
Get all sides of every story and be better informed at https://ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com.Matthew Cobb is a British zoologist and Emeritus professor of zoology at the University of Manchester.Get his book, The Idea of the Brain: A History, Closer to Truth's Map of Consciousness: loc.closertotruth.com/map.TIMESTAMPS(0:00) The Minimal Phenomenal Experience Project(11:34) Is MPE New Age Meditation?(17:07) Collecting Reports of Pure Consciousness(25:48) Lucid Deep Sleep - Thomas’ Experience(32:19) Does Consciousness Require Complexity?(39:29) The Power of Meditation(45:32) Is Meditation Always a Positive Experience?(53:13) Is a MPE Actually an Experience?(01:11:21) Your Brain is Not Telling You the Truth(01:20:08) Analysing Minimal Conscious Experiences(01:27:26) Is Meditative Enlightenment Unethical?(01:32:37) Western Ignorance of Eastern Tradition(01:40:13) “Coming Home”(01:44:29) The Political Implications of MPE(01:52:40) Should Ketamine Be Legalised?CONNECTMy Website: https://www.alexoconnor.comSOCIAL LINKSTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/cosmicskepticFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/cosmicskepticInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/cosmicskepticTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cosmicskepticCONTACTBusiness email: [email protected] enquiries: [email protected]
What this episode covers
Get all sides of every story and be better informed at https://ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com.Matthew Cobb is a British zoologist and Emeritus professor of zoology at the University of Manchester.Get his book, The Idea of the Brain: A History, Closer to Truth's Map of Consciousness: loc.closertotruth.com/map.TIMESTAMPS(0:00) The Minimal Phenomenal Experience Project(11:34) Is MPE New Age Meditation?(17:07) Collecting Reports of Pure Consciousness(25:48) Lucid Deep Sleep - Thomas’ Experience(32:19) Does Consciousness Require Complexity?(39:29) The Power of Meditation(45:32) Is Meditation Always a Positive Experience?(53:13) Is a MPE Actually an Experience?(01:11:21) Your Brain is Not Telling You the Truth(01:20:08) Analysing Minimal Conscious Experiences(01:27:26) Is Meditative Enlightenment Unethical?(01:32:37) Western Ignorance of Eastern Tradition(01:40:13) “Coming Home”(01:44:29) The Political Implications of MPE(01:52:40) Should Ketamine Be Legalised?CONNECTMy Website: https://www.alexoconnor.comSOCIAL LINKSTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/cosmicskepticFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/cosmicskepticInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/cosmicskepticTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cosmicskepticCONTACTBusiness email: [email protected] enquiries: [email protected]
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#146 The Most Complicated Thing in the Universe: What is the Brain?
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