TRIGGERnometry Neuroscientist: "We Live in a Controlled Hallucination"
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Feb 27, 2023 
Anil Seth, a prominent Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, delves into the fascinating world of consciousness. He discusses how our perceptions shape reality, painting it as a 'controlled hallucination' influenced by biology and culture. The conversation explores the evolution of truth in subjective experiences, touches on political polarization, and examines the intertwining of emotion with decision-making. Seth also reflects on mortality and the fear of oblivion, urging a deeper appreciation of life.
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Connectedness and Ego
- Experiences of connection arise from a reduced sense of self, or ego dissolution.
- This can occur through practices like meditation or psychedelic experiences.
Synesthesia and Creativity
- Pharrell Williams experiences synesthesia, perceiving music as colors.
- Synesthesia, a mixing of senses, can spark creativity through unique associations.
Perceptual Diversity
- Experiencing the world differently isn't inherently a deficit or mental illness.
- Challenges arise when perceptions clash with environment, as in some schizophrenia cases.