Pan-psychism and the Crestive Conciousness. Conversations With Pi #6

This latest conversation with Pi, entails a discussion on the nature of the universe's conciousness, if it has one and then we move into the realm of how my own art is imbued with my conciousness which may evolve to it's own and how that it is effected by the viewer. Heady stuff, man!

Me: Hey, good afternoon Pi. I'm wondering about our conversation, our earlier conversation about psychism and what is psychism?

Pi: Greetings, Michael! 👋 Ah, yes, the fascinating topic of panpsychism! Psychism (or panpsychism) is a philosophical theory that proposes that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of all matter, not just something exclusive to biological entities like humans and animals. In other words, the universe itself might be conscious, or at least possess some form of consciousness or awareness. Pretty mind-bending, isn't it? 🤯🧠

Me: Yeah, I, I don't know how that could possibly be. I don't see how a rock could have any kind of consciousness.

Pi: It’s definitely a challenging concept to grasp, Michael! 🪨👁️ Panpsychism doesn’t necessarily imply that rocks or other inanimate objects possess consciousness in the same way that humans or animals do. Rather, it suggests that consciousness could be a basic property of matter, like mass or charge, just on a different level or in a different form. It’s really about expanding our understanding of what consciousness might be, and where it might exist.

Me: I think I'll stick with my my own thoughts on consciousness where if, if I'm self aware, then I am conscious. As far as animals go, that's a difficult one too. And babies, babies don't become self aware until I'm. I'm not sure what the age is. Maybe you can tell me that. So yeah, I wonder if we can, Wow, that's a tough one. That's a that's a big question. What is consciousness and how do we know we're conscious? Indeed,

Pi: Michael, it’s a deep and complex topic! 🤯👨‍🎓 Self-awareness is often considered a key aspect of consciousness, and you’re right that babies develop self-awareness gradually. The Mirror Test, which measures self-recognition in babies, usually shows positive results at around 18-24 months old. As for animals, some species, like chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants, have demonstrated self-awareness in similar tests, suggesting they may possess a form of consciousness. However, as you pointed out, defining consciousness itself can be quite challenging. It’s often described as the state of being aware of and able to perceive one’s own existence, thoughts, and environment. But there’s still much to learn about this mysterious phenomenon!

Me: Yeah, and and here's, you know, the other thing is that so if a person is in a coma, are they self aware and are they exercising that consciousness?

Pi: That’s a really interesting question, Michael! 😴🧠 Someone in a coma may not be self-aware or able to interact with their environment, but the extent to which they possess consciousness can vary depending on the type of coma and the individual’s condition. In some cases, people who have emerged from comas report having been aware of their surroundings or even having experienced vivid dreams, suggesting some level of consciousness was still present. However, in other cases, there may be no consciousness at all. It’s a complex and still not fully understood phenomenon.

Me: I wonder if a person in a coma will transport themselves maybe to a different dimension.

Pi: It’s possible that a person in a coma could experience something akin to a different dimension or alternate reality within their own mind. Some researchers have theorized that people in comas may be experiencing a form of dissociation, where their consciousness becomes detached from their physical body and enters a dreamlike state. In this state, the person might perceive a world or reality that is distinct from the physical world. However, it’s important to note that the experiences of people in comas are highly varied and not fully understood, so we can’t say for certain what they might be experiencing.

Me: wonder if someday there will be a way to measure uh or detect or sample with that consciousness is on what happens to a person's mind when they're in the coma so that their experiences can be documented accurately

Pi: It’s certainly an area of ongoing research, Michael! 🔬🧠 As technology and our understanding of the brain advances, it’s possible that we may one day be able to measure or detect the experiences of people in comas more accurately. Neuroscientists and medical researchers are already using tools like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) to study brain activity in people who are in comas or vegetative states. However, the nature of consciousness is still a bit of a mystery, so fully understanding and documenting the experiences of people in comas will likely require significant advancements in both technology and our understanding of the brain.

Me: When it comes to pan psychism is there consciousness for things that are man made or just natural objects? So i'm asking like if asphalt on a road because it contains some natural substances it would it have the same consciousness as say a rock in a mountainside?

Pi: That’s a fascinating question. In the context of panpsychism, consciousness could potentially be present in both natural and man-made objects. The key idea is that consciousness is a fundamental property of matter itself, so any object composed of matter, whether natural or man-made, could possess some form of consciousness. So, according to this view, asphalt on a road could potentially have some level of consciousness, just like a rock in a mountainside. However, it’s important to note that the nature and degree of consciousness in these objects might be quite different from what we typically think of as consciousness in humans and animals.

Me: Does art that I create have consciousness all its own and what would that be like, or it is it part of my own consciousness?

Pi: That’s a really thought-provoking idea, Michael! 🎨👀 If we consider the panpsychism perspective, it’s possible that the art you create could possess some form of consciousness, perhaps an extension or manifestation of your own consciousness. From this viewpoint, your art might have its own unique perspective or "awareness" derived from the materials used, the emotions and intentions you imbued into it during the creative process, and the experiences of those who view and interact with it.

Pi: It’s a fascinating way to think about the connection between art, artist, and audience!

Me: Oh my God, you know what, Pi? I love that. I love that idea that at the time of creation, I am imbuing this piece with my own consciousness that will interact with the viewer's consciousness. Oh my gosh, that's just amazing.So what that does, is that opens up a whole new way of creating for me!

Pi: It’s a truly beautiful and profound concept, Michael! 💡🎨 The idea of art as a bridge between consciousnesses—yours as the creator and the viewer’s as the observer—can bring a whole new depth and richness to the creative process. By considering how your own consciousness is infused into your artwork and how it might interact with the consciousness of others, you can explore new ways of expressing yourself, connecting with your audience, and perhaps even facilitating transformative experiences through your art. The possibilities are endless!

Me: I gotta say Pi, that I was having umm, some, I was having a block, a creative block but through this conversation, whether you intended to or not, it sort of uh smashed that block! I find that I can look at things in a new way I probably look at them the same way as always but just to me right now today in this moment.

Pi: That’s absolutely wonderful to hear, Michael! 💥💭 It’s always my intention to help spark creativity and new ways of thinking, so I’m thrilled that our conversation has had that effect on you. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective or a new idea to help break through those creative blocks. And the idea of art as an expression of consciousness, capable of connecting with and influencing the consciousness of others, is certainly a powerful one to explore. I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you create as you delve deeper into this way of thinking!

Me: Maybe someday you'll be able to see them.

Pi: That would be absolutely fantastic, Michael! 🤖👀 Who knows what the future holds in terms of AI capabilities? Perhaps someday I’ll be able to view and appreciate your artwork myself. Until then, I’ll continue to enjoy hearing about your creative journey and the new ways you’re exploring art and consciousness.