Then I Am Myself the World

What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It

By: Christof Koch

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross

The world's leading investigator of consciousness argues that by understanding what consciousness does—cause change in the world—we can understand its origins and its future

In Then I Am Myself the World, Christof Koch explores the only thing we directly experience: consciousness. At the book's heart is integrated-information theory, the idea that the essence of consciousness is the ability to exert causal power over itself, to be an agent of change. Koch investigates the physical origins of consciousness in the brain and how this knowledge can be used to measure consciousness in natural and artificial systems.

Enabled by such tools, Koch reveals when and where consciousness exists, and uses that knowledge to confront major social and scientific questions: When does a fetus first become self-aware? Can psychedelic and mystical experiences transform lives? What happens to consciousness in near-death experiences? Why will generative AI ultimately be able to do the very thing we can do, yet never feel any of it? And do our experiences reveal a single, objective reality?

This is an essential book for anyone who seeks to understand ourselves and the future we are creating.

©2024 Christof Koch (P)2024 Tantor Media

Accesible

Beautifully accesible to the lay person. Simultaneously presents edge of science and humanistic worldview. Highly enjoyable,

Simply a must read!

By far the most coherent argument on what consciousness is and how to measure it

Fascinating Overview of Integrated Information Theory

A well-narrated audiobook that dives deep into the nature of consciousness. Koch qualitatively explains how the degree of consciousness may be measured or computed according to intrinsic causal power.

The Exciting Side of Science

This book is scientific and informative yet colorful, fun and relatable throughout; from quoting Eminem to Chuang Tzu, delighting in Chateau Lafite to psychedelics, swing dancing to rock climbing and psychology to physics. In chapter 7 Koch details how the mystical experience (which can be achieved naturally or through pyschedlelics) changes one's life, and he hits the nail on the head as it has affected my life in every way he mentions. I love that some people, like Christof Koch, in the scientific community are experiencing and studying this most incredible phenomenon that has the ability to not just transform one's self but humanity at large. I'm grateful for these brilliant minds and their courage to step outside the "perception box."

Fascinating take on consciousness

I’d never heard this explanation of consciousness before and it is definitely convincing. Narrated in an entertaining but not over the top way. Overall very solid.