The illusion of the ‘self’
Summary
Sean Illing discusses identity with neuroscientist Gregory Burns, who argues that the self is a constructed narrative rather than a fixed entity. They explore how our brains fill memory gaps with stories, creating an illusion of continuity that can be altered through introspection or psychedelics. The conversation highlights the power of rewriting these internal narratives to overcome anxiety and reinvent oneself.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Fetch Pet Insurance
Introduction: Identity, self-control, and the guest
The Ship of Theseus and the illusion of a fixed self
Molecular exchange and the role of stories in identity
Human storytelling, uncertainty, and mortality
Meditation, mindfulness, and the difficulty of observing the self
Language, emotions, and the mind-body distinction
Sponsors: Shopify, IBM Quantum, and Mount Sinai
Psychedelics, the default mode network, and perception
Defining identity: Labels, social environment, and choice
Memory reconstruction, narrative gaps, and confirmation bias
Anxiety narratives and the brain as software
Sponsors: Roebling Sporting Club, Verizon, Superhuman, Comcast
The hard problem of consciousness and simulation limits
Reinventing the self and social acceptance of change
Outro, credits, and final sponsors
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