At some point I read - and there’s no compelling science to it - that consciousness isn’t a human thing or even an advanced animal thing, or plant thing. It’s not a thing at all. It may be inherent in the nature of matter itself. It’s a powerful framework.
Loved the stat on 70%.
Loved the book as you know, Nina.
Charmed you’re a PNW girl. (Seattle, Bainbridge Island for almost twenty.)
Of course the AI crowd is busy trying to figure out consciousness because, well, then they can make humans obsolete; but at this point, from my reading, no one can pinpoint exactly where it is. I mostly settle on the fact that it's emergent. The physicalists say it is physical and a vibration and everything has some level of vibration, which translates into: everything has some level of consciousness. I like that because it equalizes things, rather than reinforcing (once again) human exceptionalism. Nicholas Humphrey in his book "Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness" does a great job exploring the why of consciousness as well as tyring to determine if a nonhuman is conscious. I'm reading a fascinating book now: "The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience," by Adam Frank, Marcelo Gleiser, and Evan Thompson, which explores how science (and science is in the air we breathe) has degraded human experience, our lived experience, and elevated the idea that science's account of reality is the true reality.
Yes! How less lonely we could be if we change our lens and view everything, or nearly everything, as a verb. To be an ocean, to be a bay, to be a blade of grass...
Thank you for reading my collection! So grateful. And yes, my roots are in the mud and rain of the Pacific Northwest.
Yes, that 70% blew me away when I heard it. I thought I would try more verbs for the heron story Shapeshifting but seem to have erred on the side of nouns yet again. Old habits are hard to break.
And what you say about consciousness ~!!! That totally tracks with your latest story! I can tell this will stay with me. We're so enamored with the story of our big brain and our "unique" consciousness, wouldn't it be funny if the joke's on us and it's no big thing? I heard a neurosurgeon in an interview saying it's all meat, it's all mechanics, and had to smile. The blind man describing the elephant's ear.
I am excited to add this book to my reading list. Often, I feel lost in the purpose of writing about nature (other than obviously I love her and want her protected) and it feels so timely to read these words -
“not the business of the artist to solve narrowly specialized questions.”
The writer is like a judge, submitting the case fairly to the jury and letting
“the jury do the deciding, each according to its own judgment.”
A lovely set of questions and answers. Thank you Julie for introducing me to Nina’s gorgeous writing. I’ve subscribed to her Substack and will go in search for her books at the library. 🙏
I loved this book! The characters are so real, I continue to worry and care about them--as well as the future and the planet. Nature's voice haunts me with her love and frustration.
Nina, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing more about your perspective and the process of bringing it together. I have ordered a small pile to give as Christmas gifts.
Thank you, Julie, for the fantastic questions! I loved talking with you about my collection, literature, and nature.
Thanks for participating and sharing your perspective.
I’m reading this book now and am fully engrossed in Nina’s voice, perspective and how they live through her characters. Simply beautiful.
Same! I love how varied the characters are, and how differently they respond to crisis. I feel like I know people like them in real life.
Thank you, Julie! I really appreciate hearing these words. So kind.
Kimberly,
Thank you so much! So generous of you.
Nina
At some point I read - and there’s no compelling science to it - that consciousness isn’t a human thing or even an advanced animal thing, or plant thing. It’s not a thing at all. It may be inherent in the nature of matter itself. It’s a powerful framework.
Loved the stat on 70%.
Loved the book as you know, Nina.
Charmed you’re a PNW girl. (Seattle, Bainbridge Island for almost twenty.)
Delightful to hear you think out loud.
Of course the AI crowd is busy trying to figure out consciousness because, well, then they can make humans obsolete; but at this point, from my reading, no one can pinpoint exactly where it is. I mostly settle on the fact that it's emergent. The physicalists say it is physical and a vibration and everything has some level of vibration, which translates into: everything has some level of consciousness. I like that because it equalizes things, rather than reinforcing (once again) human exceptionalism. Nicholas Humphrey in his book "Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness" does a great job exploring the why of consciousness as well as tyring to determine if a nonhuman is conscious. I'm reading a fascinating book now: "The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience," by Adam Frank, Marcelo Gleiser, and Evan Thompson, which explores how science (and science is in the air we breathe) has degraded human experience, our lived experience, and elevated the idea that science's account of reality is the true reality.
Yes! How less lonely we could be if we change our lens and view everything, or nearly everything, as a verb. To be an ocean, to be a bay, to be a blade of grass...
Thank you for reading my collection! So grateful. And yes, my roots are in the mud and rain of the Pacific Northwest.
Yes, that 70% blew me away when I heard it. I thought I would try more verbs for the heron story Shapeshifting but seem to have erred on the side of nouns yet again. Old habits are hard to break.
And what you say about consciousness ~!!! That totally tracks with your latest story! I can tell this will stay with me. We're so enamored with the story of our big brain and our "unique" consciousness, wouldn't it be funny if the joke's on us and it's no big thing? I heard a neurosurgeon in an interview saying it's all meat, it's all mechanics, and had to smile. The blind man describing the elephant's ear.
I am excited to add this book to my reading list. Often, I feel lost in the purpose of writing about nature (other than obviously I love her and want her protected) and it feels so timely to read these words -
“not the business of the artist to solve narrowly specialized questions.”
The writer is like a judge, submitting the case fairly to the jury and letting
“the jury do the deciding, each according to its own judgment.”
You’ll love it!
So kind, Julie! I so appreciate it!
Thank you so much, Stacy!
A lovely set of questions and answers. Thank you Julie for introducing me to Nina’s gorgeous writing. I’ve subscribed to her Substack and will go in search for her books at the library. 🙏
Thank you, Kate, for your kind words. And once again, thank you, Julie!
I loved this book! The characters are so real, I continue to worry and care about them--as well as the future and the planet. Nature's voice haunts me with her love and frustration.
Nina, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing more about your perspective and the process of bringing it together. I have ordered a small pile to give as Christmas gifts.
Oh, Leslie! Thank you so much! You've made my month!