Federico Faggin on Consciousness, Meaning, and Why AI Will Never Be | Irreducible, Chapter 1

We're reading chapter 1 and 2 of Irreducible by Federico Faggin. Slowly. Because this is deep. What is consciousness? Is the universe conscious, and if it is, what does that mean for physics, science and the human condition?

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Is quantum based panpsychism a valid explanation of our experience? Is the universe made of conscious units know as seities? Does the universe want to know itself? Let's ask it. It's a book club, captain, but not as we know it. Please enjoy the show. And share with a curious friend.

• Why classical physics broke under its own weight

• What quantum mechanics tells us about the nature of reality

• Why observation, not code, might be the missing piece

• What separates comprehension from computation

• And why AGI might be chasing the wrong target

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Timestamps

(00:00) Exploring Consciousness and Reality

(02:14) Federico's Background

(03:15) The Evolution of Scientific Thought

(05:59) The Nature of Quantum Reality

(08:01) Understanding Axioms and Mathematics

(10:41) The Interconnectedness of Existence

(12:20) The Role of Measurement in Reality

(17:44) The Nature of Particles and Consciousness

(21:01 Non-Locality and Quantum Entanglement

(24:39 Consciousness: The Knowing-Existing Loop

(28:46) Machines vs. Conscious Beings

(32:46) The Intersection of Consciousness and Reality

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Catch up on the next episodes of the Irreducible Book Club on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A0Ok3ObtwSk?si=n_pSgA_JIOS-BRKG