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Hidden In Plain Sight 9: The Physics Of Consciousness
This book attempts to tackle the mystery of consciousness using examples from physics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and electronics. Can a computer think? Why is your consciousness like Bitcoin? Will there be an artificial intelligence apocalypse?
- GenresScienceNonfictionPhysics
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
230 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Andrew H. Thomas
14 books11 followersDr. Andrew H. Thomas studied physics in the James Clerk Maxwell Building in Edinburgh University, and received his doctorate from Swansea University in 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 15, 2021
After reading all 8 books leading up to this one, and thoroughly enjoying them, I struggled with this. It seems to have taken a different approach than the others and it took me a lot longer to read. Not because it was difficult; Andrew Thomas it's excellent at explaining complex subjects, but because it was just... boring.
It was very, very angled towards AI and I found myself checking the title to confirm I was reading what I thought it was! It was interesting to begin with, explaining how a brain is made up and how neurons work etc. Looking at the next few books it seems that Andrew Thomas has taken the concept of consciousness and decided to run with it, instead of the physics that he started this series with. I think, based on this book, that I will be leaving the series from here.
Still very well written and researched so with a read if you're interested. Just not for me.
It was very, very angled towards AI and I found myself checking the title to confirm I was reading what I thought it was! It was interesting to begin with, explaining how a brain is made up and how neurons work etc. Looking at the next few books it seems that Andrew Thomas has taken the concept of consciousness and decided to run with it, instead of the physics that he started this series with. I think, based on this book, that I will be leaving the series from here.
Still very well written and researched so with a read if you're interested. Just not for me.
April 15, 2018
Throughout the book, I liked many of the arguments and information presented in the different chapters; but still had some reservations on a few of them. Sometimes, it seemed like the thread that is connecting the different thoughts was not well woven, or that some open loops or loose ends were left behind, either intentionally or just the thought is not followed through until the end. But towards the end, all the bits and pieces started to fall into place to complete the jig-saw puzzle the author was trying to create all along. The later chapters became very interesting, and the last chapter deserved to be the grand-finale bringing the mind of the reader finally home where he intended to take him since chapter 1.
Many people might not like where this book is heading, and might not agree with its final destination, but it is sure worth the ride. For me it headed exactly where I always envisioned it would live, but brought with it a lot of insights and enlightenment along the ride. Despite some “going along” with some ideas and suggestions while reading the first half of the book without really being totally convinced, I eventually came to love it.
Many people might not like where this book is heading, and might not agree with its final destination, but it is sure worth the ride. For me it headed exactly where I always envisioned it would live, but brought with it a lot of insights and enlightenment along the ride. Despite some “going along” with some ideas and suggestions while reading the first half of the book without really being totally convinced, I eventually came to love it.
September 18, 2022
Very engaging and interesting
I bought this book (well, borrowed via Kindle Unlimited, to be precise) because I have been ravenously curious about consciousness for several years now.
The author takes us on an intriguing journey explaining the various factors and multidisciplinary research that is necessary for any genuine attempt to conceptualize consciousness and its beguiling nature and evolution. Some of the concepts Andrew Thomas introduces might be challenging to grasp for someone relatively new to reading about science, but I don't think that should deter people from reading the book. 'The Physics of Consciousness ' is well worth sticking with and making the effort to understand. The more difficult bits are reinforced, and also supported by helpful diagrams to make it clearer.
Whether or not this is the ultimate explanation of consciousness, I am unsure, but it has certainly given me food for thought and made me want to read (even) more about the subject.
I bought this book (well, borrowed via Kindle Unlimited, to be precise) because I have been ravenously curious about consciousness for several years now.
The author takes us on an intriguing journey explaining the various factors and multidisciplinary research that is necessary for any genuine attempt to conceptualize consciousness and its beguiling nature and evolution. Some of the concepts Andrew Thomas introduces might be challenging to grasp for someone relatively new to reading about science, but I don't think that should deter people from reading the book. 'The Physics of Consciousness ' is well worth sticking with and making the effort to understand. The more difficult bits are reinforced, and also supported by helpful diagrams to make it clearer.
Whether or not this is the ultimate explanation of consciousness, I am unsure, but it has certainly given me food for thought and made me want to read (even) more about the subject.
August 3, 2021
Not as good as the other volumes
To me at least, this volume is the weakest in the series so far. Perhaps it’s just the topic, but it didn’t seem to add as much to my understanding as the other books in this series. I’ll admit that Tegmark, lost me too when he started delving into consciousness. That being said, Thomas does manage to spin a good story and to leave you wanting to dig further into the topic. So it’s still worth muddling through this volume.
To me at least, this volume is the weakest in the series so far. Perhaps it’s just the topic, but it didn’t seem to add as much to my understanding as the other books in this series. I’ll admit that Tegmark, lost me too when he started delving into consciousness. That being said, Thomas does manage to spin a good story and to leave you wanting to dig further into the topic. So it’s still worth muddling through this volume.
April 11, 2018
I have read all of this series. They are all good.
With this book, Andrew Thomas' love for the subject shines through. I like his final chapter idea as well. I've read lots of books along these lines.
With this book, Andrew Thomas' love for the subject shines through. I like his final chapter idea as well. I've read lots of books along these lines.
April 19, 2018
Three Stars
Very concise and readable. Obviously a very smart man, yet his style would seem to be accessible to most people. Not a big science buff, but I intend to read more of his books...
Very concise and readable. Obviously a very smart man, yet his style would seem to be accessible to most people. Not a big science buff, but I intend to read more of his books...
January 13, 2019
Interesting
This is an interesting and thought provoking book on a subject that has puzzled people for millennia and which is very relevant today thanks to the advent of AI.
This is an interesting and thought provoking book on a subject that has puzzled people for millennia and which is very relevant today thanks to the advent of AI.
August 12, 2020
Well written and more or less the same a previous books. Relatively easy to understand.
January 22, 2020
One of the most interesting books that I have read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews