Sam did a great job of dealing with the complexities of free will in his book by that name, but in Waking Up he is writing about consciousness and the self, which are altogether more difficult subjects, and he flounders. Like … [Read more...]
Review of Sam Harris’s “Waking Up,” Chapter 1
To put Sam’s intentions in my terms, he wants people to learn to access experiences most people’s brains are capable of, but that aren’t widely promoted in western culture. He thinks this will be good for them, and for anyone … [Read more...]
Ignorance, Stupidity, Racism, and Morality
I was raised in the rural South, and while I never cared for fried fish that much, hushpuppies were a different story. I would love to gorge myself on them right now if I hadn’t learned in adulthood that there were healthier … [Read more...]
Vertigo, Depression, Meditation, and Dealing With the Inevitable
(This is a transcript of a podcast, available here.) In early March of 2006, I had a very unpleasant experience, and I believe it may turn out to be a life-altering experience. It certainly has had a profound affect on my … [Read more...]
Multiple Selves: Continuity and Change
There are many continuities in our lives: Our height doesn’t change noticeably from day to day; weight is more variable, but we don’t gain or lose 30 pounds overnight; we usually have a stable occupation and place to live, … [Read more...]
The Movie, “Her;” Artificial and Human Intelligence
When I left the theater after seeing “Her,” the world outside looked edgy and slightly surreal, as if I’d taken a light hit of acid. Part of that was due to the exotic visual beauty of the film, but in addition, my thinking … [Read more...]