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Consciousness

Photo of a newborn baby wearing a pink wristband and clothes wrapped in a green blanket, sleeping peacefully.

Consciousness

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When does the first spark of human consciousness ignite?

We can’t ask babies what they’re feeling, but ingenious new methods are shedding light on the origins of subjective awareness

by Joel Frohlich

Consciousness

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What happens to the brain during consciousness-ending meditation?

Psychologists are studying a form of meditation known as ‘nirodha-samāpatti’ that reportedly ceases all mental function

by Shayla Love

Close-up of a person with glasses looking at a computer screen displaying lines of code, with code text reflected on the glasses.

Consciousness

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The myth of machine consciousness makes Narcissus of us all

The idea that AI can be conscious is a mistake. It’s just a very shiny mirror of humanity, reflecting what we want to see

by David Bentley Hart

Illustration of a medieval trial with a sow and piglets in court, featuring people in robes and a judge in the background.

Animals

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If animals are persons, should they bear criminal responsibility?

Were medieval trials of animal criminals not a sign of backwardness, but in fact strangely progressive?

by Ed Simon

Large projection of a painting’s cracked surface with a person standing in front, focusing on a close-up of a smiling mouth.

Philosophy of art

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Engaging with an artwork leaves you and the art transformed

When you engage with an artwork, a form of cognitive coupling takes place in which your mind and the art are transformed

by Miranda Anderson

Double exposure photo of a person silhouetted against the sea with clouds overlapping their figure.

Depression

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Depression is more than low mood – it’s a change of consciousness

Understanding depression as an altered state of consciousness, like a dream or drug trip, could help people awaken from it

by Cecily Whiteley & Jonathan Birch

Photo of a conductor leading a choir on stage, blue background, choir members in black attire, focus on conductor’s back.

Neuroscience

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The brain has a team of conductors orchestrating consciousness

The brain is like an orchestra: each region plays its part. But it takes a team of conductors to orchestrate consciousness

by Morten L Kringelbach & Gustavo Deco

Abstract image of a silhouette against blue light with blurred text in the background, digital art.

Sleep and dreams

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What dream characters reveal about the astonishing dreaming brain

Such stuff as dreams are made on: the characters who populate your dreams have their own minds, separate from yours

by Antonio Zadra

Hand-coloured photo of Canal Street New Orleans featuring trams, a statue and historic buildings in early 20th century.

Consciousness

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Why your consciousness depends on the low-entropy early Universe

What would your time-reverse twin think and feel walking back from the present into the past? And why does it matter?

by Jonathan Simon

Abstract photo of green plant with round buds, rocks and grass blended with light streaks for a textured, vibrant effect.

Altered states

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My synaesthesia is no mere quirk but a self-shaking strangeness

My initial is pale pink, the month of June is cerulean blue: synaesthesia gets my senses crosswired, and makes me who I am

by Catherine Taylor