35 – Your Brain on Nootropics

Published in 2006, *Blindsight* follows a crew of astronauts on the ship Theseus as they investigate a trans-Neptunian comet transmitting an unidentified radio signal. The novel delves into themes of consciousness, free will, artificial intelligence, neurology, and game theory. Narrated by Siri Keeton, a synthesist with a unique neurological condition, the story raises questions about the essential character of consciousness and its necessity for human experience. The novel also features vampires resurrected through genetic engineering and aliens that challenge traditional notions of consciousness and communication.

Thomas Nagel's essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" is a seminal work in philosophy of mind. It explores the subjective nature of consciousness and the challenges of understanding other minds. Nagel argues that even with complete physical knowledge of a bat's brain, we cannot fully grasp its subjective experience. This essay highlights the limitations of reductionist approaches to consciousness. It continues to be a central text in discussions about qualia, subjective experience, and the mind-body problem.

Peter Watts' Blindsight follows a crew sent to investigate a mysterious alien presence at the edge of the solar system, blending neuroscience, evolutionary theory, and speculative technology. The novel examines what consciousness is by contrasting human minds with a radically different extraterrestrial intelligence, raising unsettling questions about awareness and value. Watts writes in a dense, scientifically informed style that foregrounds biological plausibility and philosophical puzzles. Blindsight is known for its bleak, challenging view of intelligence and its memorable twist on what it means to ‘see’ and to be aware. The book has become a staple in discussions about consciousness, cognition, and the possible forms alien minds might take.