Michael Pollan on Consciousness, Psychedelics and the Fight for Free Thought

For Episode Nine, Evgeny is joined by Michael Pollan, journalist, author, and one of the leading voices exploring the human mind. Drawing on his new book A World Appears, Pollan makes an impassioned case for consciousness as something precious, private, and increasingly under threat. Together, they explore how social media and AI are not just competing for our attention, but beginning to shape attachment, emotion, and even our sense of self.The conversation ranges from chatbots and “AI psychosis” to meditation, psychedelics, and the idea of “consciousness hygiene” - the habits and practices that might help us protect our inner lives. Pollan also reflects on why writing is a form of thinking, why boredom and mind-wandering matter, and how experiences of ego dissolution, art, and nature can deepen our understanding of consciousness. The episode ends on a wider question: whether the real challenge is not only understanding consciousness, but learning how to practise it.This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard.Producer: Florence de SchlichtingProduction Coordinator: James CoxProduction Manager: Kirsty McLeanVideo Editor: Nani WenaniThe Standard team: Joe BromleyWill Rogers-Coltman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.